Pool Landscaping & Renovations Across Sydney's Northern Beaches
Blake Landscapes specialises in swimming pool landscaping, pool surrounds and pool area renovations across Sydney's Northern Beaches. Retaining walls, decking, paving, synthetic turf and garden makeovers form part of larger pool and outdoor transformations, from individual upgrades through to complete pool zone makeovers. Built by one accountable team using first grade materials and proper structural standards.
Pool Landscaping Built Around Your Property
Every property has different requirements. Blake Landscapes leads with swimming pool landscaping, pool surrounds and pool area renovations, then brings in the structural and finishing work those projects need, retaining walls to level the site, poolside decking and paving to extend the area, drainage, synthetic turf and planting to complete it. Projects range from targeted improvements, like new pool coping or a single retaining wall, through to larger pool and outdoor transformations that reshape an entire space. Whatever the scope, the work is approached as construction first: levels, drainage and structure are established before the finishes that make the pool area liveable.
Complete pool area transformations, coping, decking & pavingPool Landscaping & Renovations
A pool area is more than the water edge. Pool landscaping and renovations bring together coping, decking, paving, planting, retaining walls and drainage as one complete outdoor space built around the pool.
Pool landscaping and renovations are approached as a full pool area transformation, not just the surround. Pool coping is built using natural stone, including imported travertine and limestone, laid with drop face and bullnose profiles to give the water edge a clean, finished cap. Beyond the coping, poolside decking and paving extend the usable area around the pool, while slip resistant finishes keep the surface safe around wet areas and drainage transitions are detailed so water moves away from the pool rather than collecting at the edge. Where the levels call for it, retaining walls hold back sloping ground and define the pool zone, planting softens the hard surfaces, and frameless glass fencing can be integrated to keep sightlines open. The result is a complete pool area, coping, decking, paving, drainage, walls and planting working together.
Where it is suitable: New pool builds, pool renovations where coping or surrounding paving needs replacing, sloping pool sites needing retaining walls or drainage, and pool zones being connected to an existing entertaining area.
Materials & Construction
- Travertine & limestone coping
- Drop face & bullnose profiles
- Poolside decking & paving
- Slip resistant finishes
- Drainage transitions
- Retaining walls
- Planting
- Frameless glass fencing
Key Inclusions
- Travertine & limestone pool coping
- Drop face & bullnose edges
- Poolside decking & paving
- Slip resistant finishes
- Drainage transitions
- Retaining walls around the pool
- Pool area planting
- Frameless glass fence integration
See it in our work
From tired overgrown blocks to architectural sanctuariesComplete Garden Makeovers
Often forms part of a larger pool area or outdoor transformation, reshaping levels and drainage before the finishes are laid.
A complete garden makeover reworks an outdoor space as a whole, not just the planting, but the levels, drainage, ground surfaces and structure beneath it.
Blake Landscapes approaches a full garden transformation as a construction project first. On uneven or sloping ground, the site is reshaped through elevation and excavation to create usable, level space before any planting begins. Subsurface drainage is planned at this stage so water is managed rather than left to pool or run across new surfaces. With the levels and structure in place, planting and mulching complete the garden, and low voltage garden lighting can be integrated so the space stays usable into the evening.
Where it is suitable: Sloping or uneven blocks, overgrown or dated yards, and gardens where poor drainage or difficult ground has made the space hard to use.
Materials & Construction
- Site elevation & excavation
- Subsurface drainage
- Garden & planting work
- Mulching
- Low voltage garden lighting
Key Inclusions
- Site elevation & excavation
- Level creation on difficult slopes
- Subsurface drainage
- Garden & planting work
- Mulching
- Low voltage garden lighting
See it in our work
Engineered concrete sleepers, sandstone & core filled blocksStructural Retaining Walls
Frequently built to define and level pool zones and outdoor entertaining areas on sloping Northern Beaches blocks.
On the sloping blocks common across the Northern Beaches, a retaining wall is often what makes a garden usable, holding ground back, creating level space and defining the levels of a property.
Structural retaining walls are built to suit the load and the look of each site. Construction options include concrete sleepers on steel H beam posts (GorillaWall systems), natural sandstone, core filled concrete block walls that can be clad in Ella Stone splitface or travertine for a finished face, and treated timber sleepers. Drainage is built in behind each wall so water pressure does not build up against the structure. Where a wall exceeds 1 metre in height or otherwise requires structural certification, Blake Landscapes works with qualified engineers to produce compliant plans and documentation. Blake Landscapes carries out the landscaping construction; engineering and certification are undertaken by qualified engineers and addressed according to the relevant regulations and council requirements.
Where it is suitable: Sloping blocks needing level lawn or terraces, boundary level changes, and walls that need to carry load or meet council and engineering requirements.
Materials & Construction
- Concrete sleepers (GorillaWall)
- Steel H beam posts
- Natural sandstone
- Core filled concrete block
- Ella Stone & travertine cladding
- Treated timber
- Drainage
Key Inclusions
- Concrete sleeper & GorillaWall systems
- Natural sandstone walls
- Core filled block with Ella Stone cladding
- Treated timber sleeper walls
- Drainage behind the wall
- Engineer compliant documentation (qualified engineers)
- Council compliance support
See it in our work
Trex, Millboard composite & premium Australian hardwoodsCustom Decking & Patios
Commonly extends the pool area, connecting indoor living to the pool zone with poolside decking.
A well built deck extends the living area outdoors and, where the levels allow, can tie an indoor floor through to the garden with a flush transition.
Decks are built in both composite and natural timber. Composite options include Trex, ModWood and Millboard, boards that hold their surface around pools and in coastal conditions without the regular sanding and oiling a natural timber deck requires. Natural timber options include Australian hardwoods such as Spotted Gum and Blackbutt, chosen for their warmth and character. The practical difference is one of upkeep: composite boards are lower maintenance, while natural timber offers a traditional look that needs periodic maintenance to keep its finish. Decks can be built with concealed fixings for a clean face and, where the levels suit, flush transitions from the interior floor.
Where it is suitable: Poolside entertaining decks, decks connecting indoor and outdoor living, and patio areas extending an existing outdoor floor.
Materials & Construction
- Trex composite
- ModWood composite
- Millboard composite
- Spotted Gum hardwood
- Blackbutt hardwood
- Concealed fixings
Key Inclusions
- Trex, ModWood & Millboard composite
- Spotted Gum & Blackbutt hardwood
- Concealed fixings
- Flush floor transitions where suitable
See it in our work
Vibrant, mud free lawns 365 days a yearPremium Synthetic Turf
A practical finish within wider pool and garden transformations, providing a consistent lawn surface around the pool.
Synthetic turf can suit areas where a consistent green surface is wanted without the ongoing mowing a natural lawn requires, particularly shaded, high use or difficult to mow spots.
Synthetic turf is installed with proper preparation underneath: a compacted crushed rock base and drainage so water moves through the surface rather than sitting on top. The fibres used are UV stabilised, which helps the surface hold its colour in sun. It can be a practical choice for shaded areas where natural grass struggles, sandy or poor soils, and households with pets. As with any surface, the finished result depends on the base preparation and drainage, not the turf alone.
Where it is suitable: Shaded lawns, high use family areas, pet areas, and difficult to mow slopes where a mowing free surface is wanted.
Materials & Construction
- UV stabilised fibres
- Crushed rock compacted base
- Subsurface drainage
Key Inclusions
- UV stabilised fibres
- Crushed rock base preparation
- Drainage
- Pet friendly applications
- Suitable for shaded & difficult areas
See it in our work
Bespoke fire pits, outdoor kitchens & feature stoneworkCustom Outdoor Living & Paving
Paving and built features that complete the pool and outdoor living area.
Outdoor living and paving is about creating areas designed for entertaining and everyday use, surfaces, seating and features that make the space genuinely usable.
Outdoor living areas are built using natural stone paving such as sandstone and bluestone, laid as the ground plane or as steppers through a garden. Beyond paving, the work can include built elements: fire pits, outdoor kitchen and BBQ areas, built in seating, privacy screens and planter boxes, and feature stonework. These elements are detailed to suit how the space will be used, an entertaining zone built around a fire pit, a paved area defined by rendered walls, or a pathway of stone steppers linking parts of the garden.
Where it is suitable: Entertaining areas, fire pit zones, outdoor kitchen and BBQ setups, and gardens needing defined paths or built features.
Materials & Construction
- Sandstone paving
- Bluestone paving
- Stone steppers
- Rendered walls
- Built in seating
- Fire pits
- Outdoor kitchens & BBQs
Key Inclusions
- Sandstone & bluestone paving
- Stone steppers
- Fire pits
- Outdoor kitchens & BBQ areas
- Built in seating
- Privacy screens
- Planter boxes
- Feature stonework
See it in our work
Timeframes, Engineering & Council
Realistic Timeframes
Targeted upgrades such as a pool surround, deck or single retaining wall typically take a couple of weeks. Full garden makeovers with multiple levels and custom paving take longer. Every project is priced and programmed on its own scope.
Engineering & Compliance
Retaining walls over 1 metre, or walls requiring structural certification, are designed with qualified engineers to provide compliant plans and documentation. Requirements depend on the project and the relevant regulations.
Free Site Inspection
Blake Landscapes offers free, no obligation on site consultations across the Northern Beaches and surrounding areas, assessing access, levels and drainage before recommending materials for your budget.
Most Projects Involve More Than One Service
You do not need to know exactly which service you need before reaching out. Many landscaping projects combine several services rather than a single isolated one.
A pool project
May involve pool coping, paving, drainage and decking, not just the surround on its own.
A sloping backyard
May involve excavation, retaining walls, drainage, turf and planting to turn the slope into usable levels.
An entertaining area
May involve decking, paving, retaining and garden improvements working together as one space.
Tell us what you are planning, and we can help determine the right approach for your property.
Discuss Your ProjectHow Your Project Comes Together
Initial Consultation
We discuss the property, your project requirements, how you intend to use the space, and your overall goals for the outdoor area.
Site Assessment
We consider access, levels, drainage, existing conditions and the practical requirements of the work before any scope is set.
Planning & Construction
The agreed scope, materials and construction requirements are established before the landscaping works are carried out on site.
Project Completion
The agreed works are completed and the finished project is reviewed with you so the space is ready to use and enjoy.
Not every project follows exactly the same path, these stages are a guide to how a typical project is approached rather than a fixed process.
Materials Selected for the Project
Material selection depends on the project, the site conditions, the design requirements and your preferences. These are the materials Blake Landscapes works with across Northern Beaches projects.
Travertine
Imported natural stone used for pool coping, wall cappings and pathway steppers; its pale tone suits coastal gardens.
Natural Sandstone
Warm, irregular stone laid as paving or used for retaining walls and steppers through a garden.
Ella Stone Splitface
Natural splitface cladding for retaining walls, giving a hand laid, textured finish that catches light across the face.
Trex Composite
A composite decking board that holds its surface in coastal and pool side conditions with lower upkeep than timber.
ModWood Composite
Composite decking board used as a lower maintenance alternative to natural timber decking.
Millboard Composite
Composite decking board selected for its timber look without the regular maintenance a natural deck requires.
Spotted Gum Hardwood
Australian hardwood decking timber, valued for its warmth and character as a natural finish.
Blackbutt Hardwood
Australian hardwood decking timber with a lighter tone, used where a natural timber deck is wanted.
GorillaWall Concrete Sleepers
Concrete sleepers on steel H beam posts used for structural retaining walls on sloping blocks.
Treated Timber Sleepers
Treated pine sleepers used to terrace sloping blocks and retain garden levels.
Completed Projects Across the Northern Beaches
Genuine completed work showing the breadth of pool landscaping and structural work Blake Landscapes undertakes, pool surrounds, retaining walls, paving, decking and synthetic turf.
Beacon Hill Coastal Pool & Deck
Natural style composite decking contrasting with imported travertine pool edging and seamless glass surrounds.
View project
Narraweena Natural Stone Clad Wall
Concrete block retaining structure clad in Ella Stone natural splitface stonework with bullnose travertine coping.
View project
Dee Why Modern Sandstone & Render
Natural sandstone paving with crisp white rendered boundary retaining walls and lush architectural foliage.
View project
Frenchs Forest Terraced Steps & Turf
Treated pine sleeper terraces, premium synthetic grass, travertine pathway steppers, and rich woodland mulch.
View projectServing Sydney's Northern Beaches
Blake Landscapes operates from Frenchs Forest and services the Northern Beaches and confirmed surrounding areas. These are some of the suburbs where work has been completed:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Blake Landscapes' services, materials and how projects are approached.
Planning Your Next Outdoor Project?
If you are planning swimming pool landscaping, pool surrounds, a pool area renovation, or the retaining walls, decking and paving that complete it, talk to Blake Landscapes about what is possible on your site.