From outdoor infrared saunas to personal hiking trails, life on acreage means you can create the outdoor lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of. This ultimate wish list of amazing outdoor ideas will help you dream bigger about your future lifestyle, right in your own backyard.
Belvedere Living
Making a shortlist of ideas
Everyone is going to have different ideas of a ‘dream lifestyle’. It depends on your interests, the aesthetics you’re after and even your stage of life. For instance, a couple with young children may not have time to maintain a greenhouse, but it might be a great time to install a pool.
It’s a good idea to sit down and brainstorm out a list of ideas, and then whittle down the list by considering what factors might make an idea difficult or unsustainable. We’ve included a variety of factors to think about further on in this guide.
First, let’s look at the wish list of ideas for landscaping and designing your acreage home’s outdoor spaces.
- Plant an orchard. Growing a sustainable garden is high on the wish list when space is available. You’ll get a bountiful harvest of fresh, homegrown fruits to eat and share with neighbours.
- Plant a vineyard. Many a person has started a vineyard as a hobby and turned it into a small business. This is a fun one to consider if you’re a wine enthusiast.
- Include equestrian facilities. You might have the space to build stables, riding areas and grazing pastures for your own horse or as an agistment for others.
- Build a tennis court. Tennis courts have always been popular on acreage properties for good reason: tennis is one of the great Australian sports. You might love picking up a racquet for a game on a Saturday afternoon.
- Include a swimming pool. Pools today are often the trophy of the yard space, with sparkling waters leading to infinity drops, waterfalls, spa areas and surrounded by luxurious sundecks.
- Add a golf course. If you have ample space, design a private golf course with multiple holes, a putting green or a mini golf course with unique obstacles.
- Create a wildlife habitat. One of the most rewarding things you can do with a slice of Australia’s beautiful lands is to create a wildlife-friendly environment with bird feeders, nesting boxes, and native plantings.
- Build a greenhouse. If you’re an avid gardener, you’ll love a greenhouse, which allows year-round gardening and cultivation of exotic plants.
- A meditation garden. Tranquil spaces designed to encourage peace and serenity can transform your health in every way. A meditation garden can include features like waterfalls, Zen gardens, and meditation pavilions.
- Design hiking trails. If parts of your land are rugged bush or interesting natural landscapes, you can design hiking trails complete with scenic viewpoints.
- Build an art studio. A separate space for creative pursuits with abundant natural light can encourage creativity and delight in your hobby.
- Add a workshop. A functional workshop can mean endless opportunities for DIY projects like woodworking, metalworking and car restoration.
- Build a fire pit or outdoor fireplace. There is something special about putting away technology to gather around a fire and enjoy warmth, friendship and marshmallows.
- Build a playground. If your children are young, you can build a playground as simple or as complex as you like. Modern wooden playgrounds can blend beautifully with their natural surrounds.
- Build a sports court. If tennis isn’t your thing, you can install a multi-functional court that can be used for basketball, volleyball or even hockey.
- Install water features. Besides swimming pools, consider adding ponds, waterfalls, or fountains for aesthetics and ambience.
- Construct a gazebo or pavilion. A sheltered outdoor area provides another space for outdoor dining, relaxation, or entertainment. Rows of festoon lights can make the area feel magical at night.
- Create an outdoor kitchen space. Outdoor kitchens take entertaining friends to a whole new level, especially when you include unique features such as a wood-fired pizza oven.
- Build a barn. Barns give a rustic farm-style feel to an outdoor space and are versatile and multifunctional buildings. You can store equipment, house livestock, and even host weddings.
- Showcase a heritage garden. Plant a garden that highlights stunning native or historic plants to celebrate the property’s heritage.
- Create an apiary. Acreage land is perfect for beekeeping, which is vitally important as bee populations decline. It’s a use of space that’s both rewarding and beneficial for the environment.
- Build an observatory. It’s not as difficult as it sounds to build a small observatory. Acreage land is often the best place for stargazing because of the lack of lights.
- Start a petting zoo. Having a handful of farm animals is an amazing feature for families with children or grandchildren.
- Add a granny flat or bed and breakfast. A secondary dwelling can offer a place for grown children, friends and relatives to stay, or you can turn it into a small business by opening up a bed and breakfast or AirBnB.
- Dig a pond or lake. Digging a pond or expanding an existing one can offer opportunities for fishing, boating or just sitting quietly and watching the water.
- Enjoy outdoor art installations. Display sculptures or art installations throughout your property.
- Start an extensive vegetable garden. Always a classic on large properties, a vegetable garden is incredibly rewarding and supports sustainability practices. And, you can share with neighbours or sell your goods at local markets.
- Install an infrared sauna. Infrared saunas are touted for their health benefits, and if you have acreage you likely have room to build a detached sauna room. Make it big enough for one person or four – it’s up to you how many people you want to share with.
- A hedge maze. Even if you’re not keen on creating an actual maze, there is no denying that beautifully designed hedgework makes an incredible visual from a deck or upstairs window.
- Create an adventure park. You could (safely) install zip lines or treetop walkways for a little bit of thrill-seeking adventure in your backyard.
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Quick factors to consider
When you’re thinking about your own outdoor space, just remember that some features may not be feasible. This list of factors can help you decide on the features you want and that will enhance your acreage life.
So, you can think about:
- Your personal interests and hobbies: your outdoor space is a chance to bring your interests to life, so make sure you’re emphasising the activities you really love.
- The stage your family is at: are your children young, teenagers or grown up? That can influence the type of features you include (for instance, a playground rather than a granny flat).
- The local climate: do you live in a sunny area or a colder region? The weather might determine the features you would enjoy most.
- Property size and topography: the size and shape of your land will factor heavily into some features. The larger the property, the more options you have for large activities like a golf course or basketball court.
- Local regulations: some features may not be permitted by your local council. Check the guidelines on the size and placement of structures, keeping livestock and any plants that are considered invasive.
- Maintenance and care: there may be some features that seem inviting on paper but require more upkeep time than you’re willing to give long-term.
- Resale value: by all means, create the home you want to live in. But, if you plan to sell or rent the home out down the track, it’s worth weighing up the types of features you include.
Choose Acreage Living
We love to see our clients reap all the benefits of living on spacious, luxurious properties that are more than just a home. These places are a better life filled with connection, serenity and comfort, which give you the opportunity to live a healthy, joyful life.
If you’re interested to see what you could buy and build, you are welcome to contact us and our team will guide you on the right path.