Building fire pits and patios for cosy outdoor gatherings

Cooler days mean new opportunities in the garden. “While autumn and spring are good for planting, winter is a strategic time for landscapers to undertake hardscaping elements,” says landscape architect and Bunnings Trade Landscape Specialist Vic Jones.

So – just in case you need it – this is your sign to start planning ahead with your clients, and there’s no end of jobs to get started on. “Retaining walls are a big one – you might be prepping a retaining wall for a garden bed in springtime,” Vic says. “You should also talk to your clients about paving and pathways, patios, courtyards and fire pits. Winter is a really good time build the bones of the structure, then they can do all the pretty softscaping in spring.”

The latest hardscaping trends

Before discussing up-and-coming projects with your clients, brush up on the latest trends. “We’re seeing a strong shift towards timeless landscaping, with neutral, tonal palettes, and instead of a lot of brick or patterned pavers, people are going more minimal,” Vic says. “We’re also seeing more large format pavers and clean, high-end, minimal joints.”

The trend of creating seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces isn’t slowing either. “The focus is on blending indoor and out, whether that’s matching the interior concrete floor to the exterior surface or just creating continuity between colours and finishes,” Vic says.

Talking about alfresco living, there’s also a growing trend to turn your fire pit into an extra family area. “People are integrating fire pits into the ground,” says Vic. “As great as it is to use a fire pit and then put it back in the shed when you don’t need it, a lot of people are creating permanent spaces around the fire pit with a landscaped area and built-in seating.”

Details that matter

Your clients will be more likely to spend time in their outdoor spaces if you nail the details. “Drainage is critical all year round but particularly in the wetter months of the year. Ensuring that water is directed away from paved areas and structures – whether it’s with channel drains, pit drains or a combo of both – is important to prevent any flooding or pooling,” Vic says, noting that spending time on the foundations – in other words, the compacted subbase surface – is an essential first step.

Edge restraints are equally important to prevent pavers from shifting over time. There are plenty of materials and styles available, but Vic suggests making intentional design decisions. “Choosing the right system for the load and finish is really important,” she says. “It’s one thing for the client to go for aesthetics, especially if they want it flush, but you need to make sure that it’s compliant and not a trip hazard. Outdoor pavers also need to be slip resistant.”

Picking pavers that last

Prioritising longevity and easy maintenance is a hardscaping must, especially when it comes to winter patios and courtyards. “In recent years, Italian stone pavers have been popular but obviously these are more costly and can require more upkeep so people are going back to basics with bluestone, travertine and concrete,” Vic says. “Select the right paver for the space – for example the bluestone irregular steppers are popular for pathways but wouldn’t be right for the wear and tear of heavier use.”

Securing the pavers is also as much a functional choice as it is a design decision. “Compacted base or polymer sand is really good for locking pavers in place, and it reduces the growth of weeds in between,” Vic says. “To finish, grout joints can look very premium in outdoor areas. It’s a small detail but it looks a lot more cohesive.”

Fire pit know-how

There’s a wide variety of fire pits these days, and Vic says customers are loving the rustic look. “The corten steel fire pits are timeless and have been trending for the last few years,” she says. “The maintenance of them is easy, too, because they become more rustic the more you use them.”

Whether your clients integrate the fire pit into the backyard or not, Vic suggests having a dedicated base for the fire pit is a good idea. “Install it on pavers or compacted sand so it has stability,” she says. “And purely from an aesthetic point of view, it then won’t burn the grass and get that frustrating little patch in the backyard that never grows again.”

Need a hand getting started?

Contact a Landscape Specialist or 134 TRADE for quotes, bulk orders and delivery or view the Outdoor Living range online or at your local store.

Frequently asked questions

What outdoor paving trends are popular right now?

Current trends favour timeless, minimal designs, including neutral colour palettes, large-format pavers, clean joints and seamless indoor-outdoor transitions.

What details matter most when building winter patios and courtyards?

Drainage, compacted subbases, compliant edge restraints and slip-resistant pavers are critical to ensure outdoor spaces remain safe, durable and functional in wet conditions.

Which pavers are best for long-lasting outdoor spaces?

Materials like bluestone, travertine and concrete are popular for their durability and lower maintenance, with paver choice matched to the level of foot traffic and use

What should be considered when installing a fire pit?

A stable, non-combustible base such as pavers or compacted sand helps improve safety, protect lawns and create a more permanent, usable outdoor fire pit area.