Recently, one of the most exciting movements in landscaping has been the use of sustainable materials! Across America, homeowners are finding environmentally friendly ways to increase the curb value of their homes and also reduce their carbon footprints. Whether they are redesigning their yards to include water features that become eco systems for plant and animal life or building hardscapes with natural materials like clay pavers, consumers and homeowners alike are thinking about sustainability.
There are many materials that are used in sustainable landscaping. Some of these are found objects like old railroad trestles, wooden barrels, recycled lawn furniture, and decorative items like blue glass pyramids from telephone poles. Other materials are manufactured, but still environmentally friendly. Clay pavers are especially fantastic green materials because they come from the earth and are essentially just a fired mixture of water and clay. That means no harmful runoff from synthetic materials! These masonry materials come in a range of colors- reds, charcoal, light gray, browns- and they make lovely patios and walkways. Incorporating a clay paver piece of landscaping into your yard is a great way to immediately increase the curb appeal of your property.
With their natural and aesthetic appeal, clay pavers, water features, found objects, and other sustainable landscaping materials offer you many easy and green ways to improve your homes and yards!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Want to Expand your Small Space? How to Use Hardscapes in Your Yard
If you have a small yard- in the back or front of your home- there are many ways to beautify and expand your usable living space. Adding one or more hardscape features offers you a chance to customize your yard, build something that suits both your needs and tastes, and also expand a small space by using design tricks.
The most basic hardscape you can add to your yard is a simple patio. By laying a few concrete or clay pavers or some landscape stones over your existing yard (after some basic digging and leveling), you can immediately create a place for a table, chairs, a fire pit, and perhaps a grill. Once you have a patio down, there are many other hardscape options you can add. Some people add in retaining walls or brick ovens. Others like to include a water feature in their backyards- often as a centerpiece to their patio. These water features do not have to be ornate stone fountains. They can be small ponds, natural looking waterfalls, or even Asian-inspired fountains. Building shaded arbors over your patio is also a great way to add ambiance and character to your yard. Using other design tricks- like adding in steps to terrace a small yard- can also help your yard feel bigger.
In order to find the hardscape that is right for your particular space, look for design ideas on the internet, in your neighborhood, around town, and in landscaping books. You are sure to find more ideas than you can possible use, but you are certain to find a few that are perfect for your yard!
The most basic hardscape you can add to your yard is a simple patio. By laying a few concrete or clay pavers or some landscape stones over your existing yard (after some basic digging and leveling), you can immediately create a place for a table, chairs, a fire pit, and perhaps a grill. Once you have a patio down, there are many other hardscape options you can add. Some people add in retaining walls or brick ovens. Others like to include a water feature in their backyards- often as a centerpiece to their patio. These water features do not have to be ornate stone fountains. They can be small ponds, natural looking waterfalls, or even Asian-inspired fountains. Building shaded arbors over your patio is also a great way to add ambiance and character to your yard. Using other design tricks- like adding in steps to terrace a small yard- can also help your yard feel bigger.
In order to find the hardscape that is right for your particular space, look for design ideas on the internet, in your neighborhood, around town, and in landscaping books. You are sure to find more ideas than you can possible use, but you are certain to find a few that are perfect for your yard!
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