What You Need to Know About Hardscapes for Your Home
You have decided to improve your home’s landscape, but you don’t know where to begin. Do you want to upgrade an existing site or create a whole new outdoor space? Do you want to enhance the softscape or the hardscape, or a combination of the two? Of course, it helps to know the difference between softscapes and hardscapes for your home. The softscape is the living parts of a landscape – like plants – and the hardscape is non-living, inanimate elements – like walkways. Now that you have that figured out, you can begin planning your project.
Combining Softscapes With Hardscapes
Check out our other blog on hardscapes for more ideas.
Landscaping often enhances a home’s curb appeal, but also gives you something to enjoy while you are relaxing. Hardscapes for your home not only increase its resale value but turns a neglected outdoor space into a mini oasis. All it takes is a little creativity.
Combining hardscape and softscape can be as simple as adding a raised flower bed behind a retainer wall. Even the placement of trees or shrubberies within paths and walkways adds texture and variety. The great thing about combining softscapes with hardscapes for your home is that the possibilities are endless.
The Best Hardscapes for Your Home
Many choices that you make when hardscaping for your home should consider the space you have to work with. However, limited space should not be an obstacle – it should inspire you to even greater heights of creativity!
Here are some ideas to spruce up your landscape by using hardscape.
1. Paths and Walkways Are Practical
In addition to making your yard look larger, walkways and paths are creative ways to eliminate dying grass.
Walkways also reduce water use in locations with water restrictions.
2. Fences and Walls Draw Attention to Softscaping
Small retaining walls of brick or stone can help if your yard suffers from soil erosion. They also offset flower beds in front of them or on raised areas behind them. Low retaining walls can double as outdoor seating.
3. Patios to Accent the Rest of Your Landscape
Patios don’t need a lot of space to accentuate your landscape. They can be designed for many different materials, such as brick, stone, or gravel. You can surround them with potted plants to create intimate enclosures.
You can also infuse a patio with a vertical softscape to create separate areas. Hardscapes for your home can take an average yard and make it someplace desirable.
Choices for Hardscape Materials
There is no end of materials you can use when hardscaping. It all depends on the effect you want to achieve. Some of the most common hardscape materials are:
- Gravel: Small stones are compatible with other hardscape materials, and they are versatile enough to use for plant beds and walkways.
- Concrete: Probably the most traditional hardscape choice due to its longevity and affordability. Plus, it is easy to maintain.
- Stone: Stone complements any landscape style from classic to contemporary. It adds a touch of class and will never go out of style.
Corrugated metal, brick, and recycled materials can also provide interesting hardscapes for your home.
Getting Ready to Landscape
Before landscaping, you should have a firm idea of what you want. The home improvement experts at 7th State Builders can help you from there. Contact 7th State Builders today for a free estimate and let us help you improve your home.
