As with any home improvement project, sometimes landscaping your backyard can seem overwhelming. Rugged terrain, small spaces, old cracked patios, and overgrown bushes and flower beds can inhibit even the most resolute renovator. There’s no need to give up on the project all together, however. With some simple brainstorming and the right starting material, you can make your yard lovelier and more livable in almost no time.
Landscape stone is one of the most versatile masonry materials available for improving the look and functionality of any yard. There are literally thousands of simple projects you can complete with landscape stone that can improve the value of your home and give you more usable space.
Building a stone retaining wall, for example, is one way to create more usable space in a small yard. Walls can create a system of terraces that you can use for different purposes—one for lawn furniture, one for flower beds, one for a children’s sandbox, and another one for storage. Landscape stone can also be used to edge existing flower beds in order to create a trimmer look. Building walkways or even full patios out of landscape stone is also a quick way to beautify your yard. A small pool or fountain that is created with stone can also make your yard a more tranquil and environmentally friendly space.
Another advantage to landscaping with stone is that it comes in a variety of shapes and colors. You can choose large, smooth river stones. Or you can go with smaller, more rugged limestone pieces. You can also buy landscape stone that has been cut into precise designs that fit together seamlessly.
These are just a few of the ways you can make landscaping less stressful. Now that you have some ideas for possible projects, turn to the web for images. There are thousands of ways to create retaining walls, water features, walkways, and flower beds—start looking around and you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your yard!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Your Guide to Some Popular Backyard Hardscapes
Hardscapes are any outdoor landscaping features that are built with stone, concrete, and other masonry materials. Unlike simple patios, these are often elaborate outdoor rooms or living areas that are highly stylized and uniquely designed to fit the tastes and desires of individual homeowners.
One of the most popular hardscapes is the outdoor kitchen. These kitchens are usually enclosed stone areas that feature seating areas (benches, patios, and room for a table and chairs), grills, storage, stove tops, and sometimes even refrigerators. In warmer parts of the country, having an outdoor kitchen is great because it can be used for almost the entire year for grilling, entertaining, relaxing, and sitting by an fire in the evening. Even in colder regions, an outdoor kitchen can be used for much of the year if outdoor heaters are incorporated into the hardscape.
Another beloved hardscape is the backyard water feature. This can be a small fountain, a pond, a natural-looking waterfall, or a pool. With landscape stone, it is possible to create pathways and patios that encircle these water features. This helps incorporate them into the rest of the yard in a coherent way.
While kitchens and water features represent the most popular hardscapes, they are by no means the only options available. Stairs, retaining walls, terraces, raised and sunken flower beds, arbors, and fire pits are also favorite choices.
With so many hardscaping options, it is important to have a clear sense of purpose and plan in mind before adding one to your yard. Begin by asking yourself a few simple questions: Do you need it for entertaining? Are you just hoping to make more space in your yard? Do you want to improve the ecology of your yard? Then, once you have some clear purposes in minds, talk to a professional about the right hardscape for your space. Before you know it, you’ll be curled up with a glass of wine and a good book beside your outdoor own hearth!
One of the most popular hardscapes is the outdoor kitchen. These kitchens are usually enclosed stone areas that feature seating areas (benches, patios, and room for a table and chairs), grills, storage, stove tops, and sometimes even refrigerators. In warmer parts of the country, having an outdoor kitchen is great because it can be used for almost the entire year for grilling, entertaining, relaxing, and sitting by an fire in the evening. Even in colder regions, an outdoor kitchen can be used for much of the year if outdoor heaters are incorporated into the hardscape.
Another beloved hardscape is the backyard water feature. This can be a small fountain, a pond, a natural-looking waterfall, or a pool. With landscape stone, it is possible to create pathways and patios that encircle these water features. This helps incorporate them into the rest of the yard in a coherent way.
While kitchens and water features represent the most popular hardscapes, they are by no means the only options available. Stairs, retaining walls, terraces, raised and sunken flower beds, arbors, and fire pits are also favorite choices.
With so many hardscaping options, it is important to have a clear sense of purpose and plan in mind before adding one to your yard. Begin by asking yourself a few simple questions: Do you need it for entertaining? Are you just hoping to make more space in your yard? Do you want to improve the ecology of your yard? Then, once you have some clear purposes in minds, talk to a professional about the right hardscape for your space. Before you know it, you’ll be curled up with a glass of wine and a good book beside your outdoor own hearth!
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