Your backyard should be more than just lawn and garden beds—it should be an extension of your living space where family gatherings, weekend BBQs, and summer evenings become unforgettable experiences.
On the Central Coast, we’re blessed with a climate that makes outdoor living possible almost year-round. Yet so many homeowners aren’t taking full advantage of their outdoor spaces.
Having designed and built hundreds of outdoor entertainment areas across the region—from Terrigal to Newcastle—we’ve learned what works in our unique coastal environment. Let’s explore how to create an outdoor space that genuinely transforms how you live.
What Makes a Great Outdoor Entertainment Area?
A truly functional entertainment space needs more than just a patio and BBQ. The best outdoor areas we’ve created include these essential elements: defined zones for different activities, protection from the elements, and quality materials that last decades in our coastal climate.
Think of it like your indoor living space—you don’t cook, eat, and relax all in the same spot. Your outdoor area deserves the same thoughtful zoning. You need a cooking zone with built-in BBQ or outdoor kitchen, a dining zone with covered area for outdoor meals, a lounging zone with comfortable seating away from cooking smoke, and garden zones that provide privacy and ambiance.
Central Coast weather is generally spectacular, but we do get afternoon sun that makes spaces unusable, summer rain showers, strong easterly winds, and salt spray in coastal areas. Your entertainment area needs protection that allows use in various conditions while maintaining airflow and connection to your garden.
Foundation Choices: Decking vs. Paving
The surface you choose sets the tone for your entire space. We build extensive decking projects that create warm, inviting spaces perfect for bare feet. Decking works beautifully for elevated blocks with views, integration with existing levels, creating distinct zones, and achieving warmer aesthetic feels. Timber decking typically costs $350-$650 per square metre installed with 15-25 year lifespan when properly maintained.
Our paving services create incredibly durable, low-maintenance entertainment spaces. Options include travertine pavers (premium choice for poolside and entertaining), bluestone pavers (most popular for upscale projects), concrete pavers (excellent value with great aesthetics), and natural stone (unique character, higher investment). Paving costs range from $120-$350 per square metre depending on material, with 50+ year lifespans.
For most Central Coast entertainment areas, quality pavers offer the best combination of durability, aesthetics, and value.
Covered Structures: Year-Round Usability
An uncovered entertainment area sits unused for at least a third of the year. Pergolas ($8,000-$25,000) provide partial shade and can support climbing plants. Covered patios ($15,000-$45,000) offer complete weather protection with insulated roof options and ceiling fan integration. Retractable awnings ($5,000-$15,000) provide flexibility to open or close as needed.
The sweet spot for Central Coast properties? A combination—fully covered dining zone with an open deck or paved area extending into the garden.
Outdoor Kitchens: Beyond the Basic BBQ
If you love entertaining, a proper outdoor kitchen changes everything. Basic setups ($3,000-$8,000) include built-in BBQ, small preparation area, and basic storage. Mid-range kitchens ($10,000-$25,000) feature quality built-in BBQ or pizza oven, bench space with sink, under-bench fridge, and storage cabinets. Premium outdoor kitchens ($30,000-$60,000+) offer multiple cooking appliances, full preparation areas with quality benchtops, integrated sink with hot water, full-size outdoor fridge, wine fridge, and comprehensive storage.
Material selection matters—choose materials rated for outdoor coastal use. We typically specify marine-grade stainless steel, granite or bluestone benchtops, and quality polymer or marine ply cabinets.
Lighting: Extending into Evening Hours
Your entertainment area reaches its full potential when lighting transforms it into an evening oasis. Our garden lighting approach includes functional lighting with LED downlights in covered areas, task lighting at BBQ and preparation areas, and safe pathway lighting. Ambient lighting adds feature uplighting for trees, strip lighting under decking edges, festoon lighting for relaxed atmosphere, and pendant lights over dining areas.
Budget $2,500-$10,000 for comprehensive lighting. Pro tip: Install more circuits than you think you need—controlling zones separately creates the right mood for different occasions.
Budget Guide: What to Expect
Entry Level ($20,000-$35,000): 25-30m² paved entertainment area, basic covered structure, built-in BBQ with small preparation bench, standard outdoor lighting, basic landscaping connection, and concrete edging defining spaces.
Mid-Range ($40,000-$70,000): 35-50m² combined deck and paving, fully covered dining area with insulated patio, quality outdoor kitchen with BBQ/prep/sink/fridge, comprehensive lighting package, privacy screening, integrated garden beds with irrigation, and feature elements like fire pits.
Premium ($80,000-$150,000+): 60-100m² multi-level outdoor living spaces, extensive covered areas with insulated roofing, premium outdoor kitchen with multiple cooking zones, integrated pool and spa connections, multiple entertainment zones, comprehensive landscape lighting systems, feature fire elements, high-end finishes using natural stone and quality timbers, retaining walls creating multiple levels, and complete landscape integration.
Central Coast Specific Considerations
Our coastal location introduces unique factors requiring wind management through strategic screen placement and glass panels, salt and moisture resistance using marine-grade materials, and council regulations compliance. Many comprehensive entertainment areas require Development Approval from Central Coast Council. We handle the entire DA-approved design process, ensuring your project meets all requirements before construction begins.
Return on Investment
A well-designed outdoor entertainment area provides immeasurable lifestyle value through more time outdoors, better family connections, and increased entertaining. Property value increases by $40,000-$100,000+ for quality outdoor areas. Functionally, it adds 20-50m² of livable space to your home.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Insufficient coverage that doesn’t protect your dining table, undersized outdoor kitchens when you enjoy cooking, poor drainage that creates puddles, inadequate lighting relying only on one overhead light, no plan for proper electrical/plumbing/gas services, and ignoring sun angles that make spaces unusable at certain times.
Ready to Transform Your Outdoor Space?
Whether you’re dreaming of a simple covered dining area or a comprehensive outdoor living transformation complete with kitchen, multiple zones, and resort-style finishes, we’d love to help bring your vision to life.
We offer complimentary consultations where we’ll visit your property to assess opportunities, discuss your entertaining style and needs, provide initial layout concepts, give you honest budget guidance, and show you examples of similar projects.
Contact Ocean Landscapes today to start designing your perfect outdoor entertainment area. With over a decade creating stunning outdoor spaces across the Central Coast, we’ll help you build something you’ll love for decades.
Related Services: Decking | Paving Services | Garden Lighting | Concept & DA-Approved Designs | Fencing & Screening