What Hardscaping Is and How to Build Your Dream Yard

Hardscaping refers to non-organic features that are used in landscaping. Features of landscape design, such as fountains, driveways, and sidewalks are all examples of hardscaping, but this term can also refer to or even decorative boulders.  

The name comes from the fact that they are mostly made of “hard” materials like concrete, wood, and stone. It can also be said that these elements “harden” your yard from a visual standpoint. 

In this short guide, you’ll learn more about hardscaping. You’ll find out what kind of landscaping features can help you construct a hardscaped yard. Then, you’ll learn some tips to help you build the hardscaped yard of your dreams. 

Types of Hardscaping

If you’re interested in what hardscaping can do for your yard, you should consider all of the features that are available. In the following examples, you can learn more about some of the most popular features and the advantages that they offer for your yard. 

Retaining Walls

Retaining walls are landscaping walls that hold back soil to create an intended look and shape for your yard. They can create a very attractive look when terraced. The soil that’s held back can be used for garden space and other uses.

While these walls are beautiful in yards, they can also serve a very important purpose. They can protect your yard from soil erosion and keep natural hills from shifting or collapsing. 

Retaining walls can be built to match almost any theme or aesthetic for your landscape. There are dozens of materials and shapes to choose from. Many materials used for these walls can also be customized for color.

Stone pathways

Stone pathways are an attractive feature that can add a rustic look to your landscaping. These walkways can connect the home to the road, or connect hardscaping features to other features. They can be made with concrete pavers, natural stone, or other hard materials.

There are nearly unlimited ways to make a stone pathway look the way you want. You can choose from nearly any size, shape, or color of stone. You can fill in the gaps with any material you want, such as concrete, gravel, wood chips, landscaping glass or just about anything else. 

Gazebos and Pergolas

Gazebos and pergolas provide you with a nice place to relax around your yard. They also help to cap small hills or to create some texture across your entire yard. They fit well in areas where they have views, such as in front of retaining walls, ponds, bluffs, or other yard features.

You have all kinds of choices to make when choosing a gazebo or pergola. These structures can be built to fit many different budget levels. Affordable small ones can be built out of widely available materials, or it can be large, hand-carved and made of some of the most premium and decorative woods.

Decks and Patios

Decks and patios are considered a form of hardscaping. You can customize them to make them fit into just about any outdoor activity, and large ones make a great outdoor living space. You can fit these decks and patios with shade, built-in seating, or even fully functional outdoor kitchens.

As with other hardscaping features, you can customize every part of your decks or patios. They can be made with stone, concrete, wood or other materials. They can be multi-level or even wrap around the entire home. 

Fountains and Waterscapes

Fountains and waterscapes are some of the most eye-catching hardscaping features. They add both beauty and pleasant sounds to your outdoor spaces, and can be built to match the space or slope of many different lawns

Water features can be built at almost any size and budget level. The most premium waterscapes can surround your entire garden or backyard, creating effects like waterfalls, artificial creeks, and more. 

Fire Pits

Fire pits are a great hardscaping addition to outdoor patios, concrete surfaces, and beaches on your property. A fire pit can turn any space in your yard into a great place for family or friends to hang out.

These pits can be customized with many different materials. They can be small enough to fit in a small circle of seating, or they can be sized to accommodate a complete bonfire.

Driveways

Driveways are an example of hardscaping, and they are one of the largest features that you’re likely to add to your landscape. There are many ways to make a driveway stand out, including by building designs into it, using interesting paving materials, or creating a unique shape.

There are many other examples of hardscape features you can use to complete the final look of your yard. Talk to a landscaping expert about all the other non-living elements that you can use to improve your outdoor area.

How to Build Your Hardscaped Getaway

Can you imagine your yard tastefully decorated with hardscaped features? It’s not difficult to build a yard with interesting hardscaping features. Here are some tips that you should consider when choosing what direction to go:

• Plan all of your features in advance: Hardscaping projects often deliver the best curb appeal and functionality when they are planned in advance. Even if you are only budgeting one installation at a time, you should plan out the total features in advance.
• Consider materials and textures: There are many hardscaping materials, but not all of them go together. You want to choose matching stones and textures. Speak to a landscaping expert if you want to learn more about landscaping elements and what’s possible with them.

Contact a Team of Hardscape Professionals Today

Now, you know what hardscaping is, what landscaping features are considered hardscaping, and what some of the most popular examples can do for your yard. The best way to get your desired answers is by talking to a residential landscaping expert.

If you’re interested in setting up hardscaping features to create zen in your backyard, now is a great time to start exploring what features can fit in your yard. Many solutions can be applied to different lots around Atlanta. Let our team examine your yard and let you know what’s possible.

Contact us today with any questions about how we can develop landscaping solutions for your yard or any other landscape maintenance task.