How to design a thoughtful and private garden with Nathan Burkett

Award-winning landscape architect, Nathan Burkett, is known for his clean, crisp lines and artistic versatility, able to shift from classic, subtle styles right through to the more eclectic and cutting-edge.

Nathan founded Nathan Burkett Landscape Architecture (NBLA) in 2003 and since then has become one of Australia’s most respected landscape architects, receiving accolades such as a Gold Medal at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show for his installation Equilibrium. Here, Nathan shares his expert advice on creating a garden that feels balanced, cohesive, and designed to evolve beautifully over time.

Thoughtful zoning

The vision for many homeowners is to create a lush, private retreat that evolves with the seasons. A beautiful home garden often includes distinct yet connected zones, such as a dining and entertaining area, a swimming pool, an open lawn for play, and a quiet corner.

To achieve this, positioning is key. Dining areas should take advantage of shade and garden views, seamlessly extending from the home’s interior. Meanwhile, built-in seating at the garden’s edge surrounded by layered plantings that enhance privacy and ambiance, will provide a peaceful nook.

At this Tudor-inspired Brighton home, the dining space is elevated and serves as a continuous extension of the interior colour palette. While a built-in concrete bench mirrors the dining area aesthetic, its location at the outer edge of the garden—surrounded by Silver Birch trees—makes it perfect for quiet reflection.

Refined material palette

The choice of colours and materials is essential to creating contrast, harmony, and a sense of cohesion with the surrounding architecture. Whether your home is a classic Victorian, contemporary coastal or mid-century inspired, a palette of light greys, deep greens, and soft silvers can provide a balanced, timeless aesthetic.

Pool tile trends have evolved significantly over the years, from bright colours and bold geometric patterns to high gloss and moody aesthetics. For a contemporary look, large mid-grey mosaics are the popular choice, which provides a beautiful light aqua reflection.

Here, the architecture of the home is mirrored in a staggered-edge corner of paving, while the light grey palette offers a subtle contrast to the rich red brick. Smoked oak decking and burnished concrete elements further enhance the natural textures in the space.

Rethink pool fencing

Traditional pool fencing can break up a space, making it feel smaller and disconnected. To avoid this, a wet edge pool design can eliminate the need for standard fencing. Instead, the pool itself acts as the barrier, with water flowing over the edge into a hidden balance tank. This approach maintains an open feel, allowing the garden to stay connected to other zones.

Creating privacy

Tall evergreen hedging and layered planting can create a secluded retreat. Consider using Ficus hillii or Viburnum odoratissimum for a lush, structured backdrop, complemented by sprawling groundcovers such as Hedera helix or Dichondra repens to add depth and texture. Thoughtfully layering plants of varying heights helps soften boundaries while maintaining a natural, enclosed feel.