When you hear the term “landscaping,” you’re mind most likely jumps to the thought of a coordinated, well-manicured lawn filled with flowers and trees. But what about “hardscaping”?

If you’d like to get your yard in shape for the summer, your landscaping plans should include both hardscaping and softscaping. Let’s talk about what hardscaping is and why it’s essential to landscape design.

What Is Hardscaping?

Hardscaping is the categorical term for all things in your yard that are non-living. This means all structures within the landscape, including:

• Garage
• Patio
• Fountain
• Stone walkways or paths
• Fencing

What Is Softscaping?

By contrast, softscaping refers to organic elements of landscape design — every plant, tree, herb, fruit, and weed. If hardscaping has to be built, softscaping grows.

Hardscaping Ideas for Your Home

Hardscaping includes everything big and small in your yard. You could be adding something as small as a bird house or a bench, or something as large as a pool or a shed.

Here are a few ideas to get you imagining some hardscaping for your lawn:

Outdoor Living

Encourage your family to be outdoors with a great deck, or a simple cement patio with seating for the whole family.

Add a firepit, grill, or outdoor kitchen to turn your yard into a space your family can spend the entire day in.

Pathways

Paths lead us to possibilities. They open imagination and create a sense of direction. They are also a great way to add dimension to your yard, and break up the monotony of too much open space.

Edible Garden

Having a garden filled with herbs, onions, carrots, potatoes, and other things you can use in your cooking is not only a way to feed and sustain your family, but a way to add color and life to your yard.

Preparing Your Yard With a Hardscape Design

Spring is a great time for cleaning, pruning, and updating your yard for a grander design. Beyond the general mowing and trimming, preparing your yard for hardscaping involves a lot of planning. The size of your yard will determine how much you can do with it, and so will your budget.

Once you’ve measured the space you have to work with and how much money you’re willing to put into the project, cultivate as many ideas as you can. Depending on your level of skill and experience, you may be able to do much of the work yourself. Rent equipment if necessary, for larger/ heavier projects.

Hardscaping Service in Raleigh, NC

When you hire a landscaping service, you’re able to do more with your yard. Professionals can help you with bigger projects that require equipment you might not have access to as well as tasks that require more people.

Redwood Land Design hardscaping service offers help to homeowners in Raleigh, North Carolina. Get your yard prepared for the summer with a free estimate today.