Backyard Hardscape Ideas

Alborn Supply of Ocean County shares some backyard hardscape ideas to get you inspired

When you're planning a landscape design for your backyard, you may think primarily of planting options and what type of flowers or greenery you want to use. However, hardscape elements are key in making your yard more functional and allowing you to fully enjoy your plantings and outdoor space. You can choose from a variety of hardscape options, so you can find the ideal feature for your yard.

Connect Deck to House

If you entertain or dine outdoors frequently, the deck is most conveniently placed right outside your kitchen so it's easy to bring out food and other items. Building the deck outside the family room extends the living space outdoors. A deck is usually built slightly above grade, so potentially offers a better view of the surrounding landscape. Wood is the most common material for decks, and pressure-treated lumber, cedar, ipe and redwood are suitable options. However, composite materials, which are usually made from a combination of plastic and wood made to resemble traditional lumber, are resistant to moisture and insects and require less maintenance. To make your deck even more comfortable, a gazebo adds a shaded area for seating or dining.

Add Patio to Garden

A patio with a dining table allows you to enjoy meals surrounded by your flowers. Lounge chairs, a bench or swing make comfortable places to read in the garden. A rectangular patio complements a formal garden, while a round or free-form patio works well in a more natural cottage-style garden. Hardscape materials for your patio offer a variety of options, including concrete, brick, tile, stone and pavers. Concrete pavers are often a budget-friendly option because they can provide the look of brick or stone without the costly price tag. They also come in variety of colors and shapes, so you can customize the look of your patio to blend with the rest of the garden landscape.

Create Garden Paths

If you have a large backyard, there may be some distance between landscape features. Creating garden paths or walkways between your home and patio, pool or garden creates a sense of continuity for you landscape and keeps you and your family from having to walk on muddy stretches of grass after storms. You can create paths in areas that see the most traffic using concrete, pavers, brick, stone or gravel. Walkways in straight lines and right angles create a more a formal hardscape, but if your house and garden are designed in a more casual style, curved paths are a better option, even using stepping stones to create a natural look for your path. Installing lights along your pathways will help make sure they are safe after dark.

Cover Patio with Pergola

Whether your patio is in your garden, off your kitchen or beside your pool, it can get hot in the sun when summer hits. Pairing a hardscape like your patio with a pergola provides an ideal spot to catch some shade when the weather heats up as well as shelter from rain if the skies turn cloudy. It's also an effective way to break up a larger patio into smaller outdoor rooms. A traditional pergola usually features a lattice roof, which allows you to grow climbing vines or plants that fully shade the area beneath. You can also opt for a pergola with a solid roof to provide effective shelter from the sun and other elements.

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