Last Updated on October 31, 2023 by Admin
Hardscaping will be one of the biggest trends in backyard renovations in 2023. Creating defined outdoor spaces in your yard can significantly impact your home’s value, and hardscape features can help you focus on what’s important in your life so you can get the most use out of your backyard.
Definition of Hardscaping
Hardscaping uses materials like brick, stone, gravel, concrete, and pavers to create forms in your landscape. Many people think of it as the backbone of landscaping because it provides structure to enhance an outdoor space. You probably already have some hardscaping features in your yard, including:
- Stone or concrete pathways
- Patios and decks
- Retaining wall steel posts
- Water features
- Fire pits and fireplaces
- Outdoor kitchens
- Driveways and parking areas
- Pergolas, arbors, and trellises
- Steps and stairs
- Decorative walls and fences
Why You Need Hardscaped Features
The right hardscaping features in your backyard make spending time together as a family easier. You can bring the outdoors inside with an outdoor kitchen, gather on your patio, and entertain at a fire pit. Pergolas provide spaces for relaxation, and water features add that special touch of ambiance to create just the right atmosphere for your backyard paradise.
Your landscaping will be flat, dull, and boring without hardscape features, and you will not be drawn to spend time outdoors. However, when you utilize retaining walls, patios, and decks, you create a visual interest that can enhance the appearance of your backyard.
4 Tips for Hardscaping Your Backyard
Hardscaping projects can be significant investments in time and money. The following tips can help you capitalize on getting a positive return on the money you spend on your backyard.
1. Consult a Professional
You can create an outdoor space that exceeds your dreams when you work with other people who are knowledgeable and capable.
Experienced deck builders can show you the possibilities and help you evaluate your ideas to develop features you hadn’t considered. Professionals have experience working on many types of projects, and they can help you design the best hardscaping features for your home.
During your pre-planning phase, keep an open mind. Visit a showroom or view an online project gallery to see the possibilities.
2. Assess Your Space
After you meet with a professional to see the possibilities, you should assess the space in your backyard. Whether you’re completely renovating your backyard or simply adding a water fountain, you need to assess the space. Ask yourself what you like and don’t like about the existing landscape.
Look at your backyard as objectively as you can. Take physical restrictions into account, and ensure you know your lot lines, easements, deed restrictions, and permit requirements. Here are a few other space considerations to think about:
- Your driveway, parking area, and garage
- Sidewalks
- Existing structures like patios, terraces, and decks
- Utility, sewer, and water lines
- Soil drainage
- Sun and shade
- Wind
- Views, both good and bad, from inside and outside the house
After thoroughly assessing your space, you can consider your family’s needs.
2. Consider Your Needs
Consider your needs separate from the space. Think about how long you plan on living in your current home. Your needs may change over time, and you should consider what your needs will be over the next five to ten years.
Consider all your family members, including your pets, when evaluating your needs. Get feedback from your family and ask them how they want to use the backyard. Think about how your backyard changes during the seasons and what can make it more usable year-round.
You should also examine your lifestyle in relation to your yard. For example, do you want to use your backyard for a kitchen garden, or would you rather use the space for your children to play? Would you get more out of a pergola or another flower bed?
Budgets will always be a factor in any home improvement project, but you should dream big before restricting your project with your budget. You might find out that you can afford more than you thought you could, and you may even be able to break your project up into affordable phases.
To maximize your space and investments, think about how you will use the features in your backyard and how you will take care of them. If you don’t have much time to invest in yard care, you should factor that into your plan.
4. Spend Time Pre-Planning Your Project
Hardscaping is semi-permanent. It’s not something you should do on impulse.
Like building a house, you are creating a structure that could last for decades. Don’t rush into anything because you will make a significant investment in time and money, and you should be sure about what you’re doing.
Gather research on your backyard and your family’s needs, and then schedule an estimate with a professional landscaper in your area. Find features you love and determine your family needs, and then let a professional help you figure out how to get there.
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