Bricksīricks are a quintessential hardscape option that are often used for patios, walkways and driveways. Rubber mats are not often thought of as hardscaping options, but they are a great choice for making play areas safer while limiting weeds and reducing irrigation needs. Rubber mulch is usually more expensive than other mulch options, such as bark or wood chips, but it is also a longer-lasting groundcover choice. Wood chips are another natural option that can be used as a ground cover to limit weed growth, conserve water and enhance your yard’s visual appeal. Barkīark is a natural hardscape option that can be used to inexpensively cover large areas and requires no water. Gravel is a simple, inexpensive hardscape that limits weed growth and improves drainage and can be used for walkways, parking areas or to cover bare patches of dirt to beautify your yard. Some of the ideas consist of common hardscaping materials, while others are hardscape features you can include in your front yard or backyard. Now that we have a better idea of what hardscaping is and the many benefits it offers, here are 35 hardscape ideas to help inspire you in your own landscape design. Many hardscape features are solid or semi-solid ground cover options that significantly reduce weed growth by creating a barrier.ģ5 Hardscape Ideas for a Low-Maintenance Yard Retaining walls, artificial grass, gravel, paving stone patios, and many other hardscape options can improve erosion control by providing barriers or enhancing drainage.ġ1. When properly designed and installed, many hardscape ideas can improve your home’s curb appeal, increase your property value and enhance the perceived value or you home.ġ0. Hardscaping can increase curb appeal and property value. Some hardscapes create shade, such as pergolas or gazebos.ĩ. Not all hardscapes enhance privacy, but some examples, such as fences, walls and privacy screens, make your yard or outdoor living areas more private.Ĩ. For example, adding an outdoor kitchen or grilling station makes your outdoor living area more functional by allowing you to prepare meals in your backyard.ħ. Hardscaping increases the functionality of your property. Hardscapes expand your overall living space by creating outdoor areas for entertaining and everyday activities.Ħ. Driveways let guests know where to park, pathways let guests know where to walk, and fences let guests, kids and pets know which areas are off limits.ĥ. One example of this would be a patio defining part of your yard as an outdoor living area.Ĥ. Most hardscapes require very little maintenance once they are installed.ģ. When you replace natural grass or other living landscape features with hardscaping, you can significantly reduce the amount of water you use for irrigation each month.Ģ. Here are 11 general benefits of hardscaping:ġ. On the other hand, a paving stone patio is an example of hardscaping that can reduce your water usage and increase your property value while also improving the visual appeal of your outdoor living areas. For example, a trellis may beautify your yard and add the element of height to your garden, but it probably will not increase your property value or conserve water. Hardscaping offers an array of benefits that are dependent on the type of hardscapes you include in your overall landscape design. Patios, decks, gazebos, outdoor kitchens, artificial grass, driveways, fire pits, pergolas, and stepping stones are all examples of hardscaping. For example, a wall made from river rocks is hardscape using natural elements, while a walkway made from rubber mulch or bricks is hardscape using manmade materials. Hardscapes consist of manmade features that may use natural or manmade elements. In landscape architecture, hardscaping is essentially everything that is not vegetation.

Hardscaping near me