When you live in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, a swimming pool is more than just a luxury. It’s part of the lifestyle. From Bondi to Bronte, Coogee to Clovelly, pools sit at the heart of backyards, serving as a place for family gatherings, summer barbecues, and those quiet early morning laps before the world wakes up.
But if you’ve ever stepped into a backyard where the pool looks bare, awkward, or just unfinished, you know how much the landscaping matters. Done right, pool landscaping transforms your outdoor space into a sanctuary. Done wrong, it becomes a maintenance headache, a safety hazard, or simply an eyesore.
At Bondi Landscapes, we’ve spent over 16 years designing and building landscapes across Sydney, with a strong focus on the Eastern Suburbs. Our team has seen it all: compact urban courtyards, sprawling coastal blocks, tricky sloping sites, and we know what makes a pool and garden work in this unique part of the city.
In this guide, I’ll share what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to pool landscaping in the Eastern Suburbs, drawing from our experience as licensed landscapers and pool builders. Think of it as part story, part practical guide, all designed to help you avoid mistakes and create a backyard you’ll actually use and love.
Why Pool Landscaping in the Eastern Suburbs is Different
Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs have their own character. The coastline shapes everything, from the salty sea air that wears down materials faster, to the tight block sizes common in suburbs like Paddington, Randwick, and Bondi. Add in strict council regulations and the value of real estate, and every square metre of your backyard counts.
Here are a few things that make landscaping here unique:
- Coastal climate: Salt, sun, and wind are harsh on plants and surfaces. Not every plant thrives, and not every material lasts.
- Limited space: Many Eastern Suburbs homes sit on narrow blocks, which means pools are often smaller, closer to the house, or tucked along a boundary.
- Architectural mix: Heritage terraces, post-war houses, and modern builds each call for different landscaping styles.
- High expectations: Homeowners here often want luxury finishes, seamless indoor-to-outdoor flow, and designs that feel timeless.
All of this means you need more than just a good pool builder. You need an integrated landscape design that considers plants, hardscaping, safety, and functionality together.
What Works: Smart Pool Landscaping in Sydney’s East
1. Designing for Small Spaces
One of our clients in North Bondi had a tiny backyard, barely big enough for a plunge pool. At first, they worried it would feel cramped, but with clever design, it became one of our favourite projects. We used raised garden beds with succulents and hardy natives along the boundary, installed vertical gardens for greenery without sacrificing floor space, and added built-in bench seating to double as both lounging and entertaining space.
The takeaway: small backyards can absolutely fit a pool, but every element needs to serve multiple purposes. Compact design, smart storage, and low-maintenance plants are essential.
2. Using Coastal-Friendly Plants
If you plant a lush tropical garden right next to Bondi Beach, you’ll be disappointed. Salt-laden winds can burn leaves, and some species just won’t survive. Instead, we recommend hardy options like:
- Lomandra and Dianella (for structure and texture)
- Westringia (a native alternative to box hedges)
- Succulents like Agaves or Aloes
- Coastal banksia and tuckeroo trees for screening
These plants don’t just survive the Eastern Suburbs conditions, they thrive, creating a lush but resilient backdrop to your pool.
3. Blending Pool and Garden Design
The best pool landscapes don’t feel like a pool stuck in a backyard. They feel like a natural extension of the house and garden. That’s why at Bondi Landscapes, our pool projects always start with a full landscape design, not just a pool design.
For example, in a recent Bronte project, the client wanted a modern lap pool. We paired it with concrete pavers that matched the home’s interior flooring, framed it with low planting, and added subtle garden lighting for nighttime ambience. The result? The pool felt like part of the house, not an add-on.
4. Choosing Durable Materials
Salt air, chlorine, and sun can chew through cheap finishes. We often recommend:
- Natural stone (like travertine or granite) for paving, cool underfoot and timeless in style.
- Glass fencing keeps views open, though it needs regular cleaning.
- Hardwoods or composite decking, great for warmth and durability.
- Powder-coated aluminium instead of untreated steel for coastal resilience.
Investing in the right materials upfront saves money and hassle long term.
5. Lighting for Safety and Ambience
Lighting often gets overlooked, but it makes a huge difference. Pool and garden lighting in Sydney isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about safety. We’ve installed:
- Low-voltage LED strip lighting under coping edges
- Step lights on pathways for safe night use
- Uplighting on feature plants for drama
- Underwater pool lighting for that subtle evening glow
The trick is balance; you want enough light for function, but not so much it feels harsh.
What to Avoid: Common Pool Landscaping Mistakes
Even in Sydney’s most beautiful homes, we’ve seen mistakes that ruin the look, feel, and usability of a pool. Here are a few to avoid:
1. Forgetting About Maintenance
That lush tropical garden may look great in photos, but can you really keep it up? If you don’t want to be pruning and cleaning every weekend, low-maintenance planting and automated irrigation systems are key. We often design gardens that look full and green without being high-maintenance.
2. Ignoring Shade and Privacy
One Coogee client came to us frustrated; their pool looked stunning, but every afternoon it became a hot, blinding sun trap. No one used it. The solution was simple: a pergola with climbing plants and a row of fast-growing screening trees. Suddenly, the pool was inviting again.
Lesson: think about how the sun moves across your yard, and consider shade structures or planting early in the design.
3. Cutting Corners on Safety
Glass fencing might be more expensive than aluminium, but it complies with NSW pool regulations while keeping views open. Cheap, non-compliant fencing is not only unsafe but can also create legal headaches.
4. Overcrowding the Space
It’s tempting to fit everything, pool, spa, deck, outdoor kitchen, into one backyard. But cramming too much in makes a space feel cluttered and uninviting. In Eastern Suburbs gardens, restraint is often more effective.
5. Not Considering Drainage
Water runoff can be a nightmare around pools, especially on sloping blocks in suburbs like Vaucluse or Dover Heights. Without proper retaining walls and drainage, you risk erosion, flooding, and damage. This is where licensed landscapers like Bondi Landscapes make a big difference.
Real Projects: Before and After
Nothing explains the power of good design like a transformation.
- Randwick Project: A dated kidney-shaped pool surrounded by cracked concrete was reborn with new travertine pavers, frameless glass fencing, and structured planting. The backyard went from 90s tired to modern luxury.
- Tamarama Courtyard: What looked like a postage-stamp courtyard became a chic retreat with a plunge pool, vertical garden, and outdoor room design.
- Maroubra Family Home: A sloping, unusable yard was levelled with retaining walls, creating space for a pool, lawn, and entertaining terrace, all seamlessly tied together.
These projects show that no matter the starting point, the right landscape design creates flow, function, and beauty.
Why Choose Bondi Landscapes
When you’re investing in a pool and garden, you want it done right the first time. At Bondi Landscapes, we’re more than landscapers, we’re licensed structural landscapers, pool builders, and designers, with 16+ years of experience.
- Proven track record: Award-winning, with recognition from The Landscape Association.
- Full service: From landscape design to construction and maintenance.
- Local expertise: We live and work in the Eastern Suburbs, we know the climate, the soil, the councils.
- Tailored approach: Every design is bespoke, matching your lifestyle and home.
You can see more of our work on our website, or check out our portfolio on Houzz.
Practical Tips if You’re Starting Your Pool Landscaping
If you’re just starting the journey, here are a few steps we recommend:
- Book a consultation: Talk to a qualified landscape designer before you commit to a pool shape or size. The garden and pool should be designed together.
- Think about lifestyle: Do you want a pool for exercise, entertaining, kids, or relaxation? That choice will shape the design.
- Plan for the future: Think about how your family will use the space in 5–10 years.
- Set a realistic budget: Quality landscaping is an investment, but it pays off in property value and enjoyment.
- Don’t rush approvals: Eastern Suburbs councils can be strict. A professional designer will help you navigate regulations smoothly.
Final Thoughts
Pool landscaping in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs is both an art and a science. The art is creating beauty that feels effortless; the science is knowing what plants, materials, and designs will actually last in our coastal conditions.
At Bondi Landscapes, we’ve built a reputation for getting both right. We love helping families transform their outdoor spaces, whether that’s a compact plunge pool in Paddington or a sprawling garden and lap pool in Vaucluse.
If you’re ready to start planning your dream pool and garden, you can reach us at Bondi Landscapes or follow along with our projects on Facebook and Instagram.
A well-designed pool landscape doesn’t just add value to your home, it adds value to your everyday life.
