Adding Hardscaping Elements to Your Property
Hardscaping refers to the parts of your landscape that aren’t alive. Hardscaping uses manmade elements to create natural or artificial elements in your yard, including patios, decks, driveways, walls, and walking paths. Here are some ideas for bringing the beauty of stone to your landscape.
Enjoy Your Yard
With hardscaping, you’ll enjoy your yard more than ever.
• It’s low maintenance: Stone doesn’t need to be weeded or planted, and it requires little work to look beautiful.
• Conserves water: Stone features allow you to reduce the amount of water you need to keep an attractive lawn.
• Extends your outdoor space: Hardscaping creates patios, raised garden beds, grilling areas, benches, and water features to a previously empty space.
• Reduces erosion: Gravel, paving stones, and retaining walls improve drainage and keep your soil intact.
• Improves home value: A professionally hardscaped and landscaped lawn increases your home’s beauty and value.
Mix It Up
Create separate areas in a large space by using different stone and paving types. This adds visual interest and allows foot traffic to flow naturally from one area to another. Place natural river rocks around your pond, put sturdy flagstones in your grilling area, and create elegance around your fountain with marble or travertine.
Set Off the Pool
Hardscaping around a pool is a great look. For safety, choose flagstones or bricks that have a rough finish. They won’t get as slippery when they’re wet.
Direct Traffic
Use your hardscaping to direct foot and car traffic around your property. Create clearly defined driveways, parking spots, and walkways. Paving stones and gravel are good choices for these areas.
Add Some Greenery
It’s important to include greenery and plants in your hardscaping plans. Shrubs and trees soften the hard edges of stone features. Flowers add a splash of color. Use paving, tile, or brick to create raised garden beds and planting beds.
Small Backyard Ideas
You don’t need a large yard to enjoy the benefits of hardscaping. Here are some ways to add the enduring beauty of stone to your small space.
• Create a patio: A patio is the best way to add an elegant touch to any yard. Even a tiny yard has room for a patio with a table and one or two chairs. Try building out the patio from your home to give it the look of a connected porch.
• Use one stone type: Unlike hardscaping for large yards, hardscaping in small yards looks neater and more cohesive in one stone type. Pick one paving type for all your outdoor areas.
• Add potted plants: Pots full of colorful herbs and flowers are a wonderful touch for any yard. Using pots allows you to change their placement to suit your mood.
• Include water features: A water feature is necessary for any hardscaped garden. You can add a small pond, a birdbath, or a fountain. Even a tiny yard has room for a solar-powered basin fountain.
• Don’t use fencing: Don’t divide a small area with stone fences. One might be fine, but too many will make your outdoor area look cramped.
Call Capital Masonry
If you’re inspired to do some hardscaping, call Capital Masonry. We have created gorgeous stone elements for gardens all over Maryland, D.C., and Virginia. Capital Masonry is a third-generation, family company that specializes in stone installations. When you’re ready to transform your yard, call us.