Improving your outdoor space is a great idea. First, by spending merely 5% of the value of your home on landscaping, you can increase the resale value of your home by up to 15%. And creating a space that is conducive to spending time outdoors will make quality family bonding and hosting friends and family all the more enjoyable.
But landscaping isn’t the only way you can improve your home — you can also choose to incorporate patios, firepits, walkways, and other elements, collectively called “hardscaping.” There are many options when it comes to engaging a contractor for hardscaping services — check out some of the most unique options below.
Cement Patio
Instead of going for a traditional paved patio, why not try a poured cement patio? It will give your yard a very modern look, toes won’t be stubbed on bricks, it will be cool to the touch for warm summer feet, and the visual dichotomy between a green lawn and garden and smooth grey cement is striking and attractive. Plus, it’s cheap, easy, and relatively low impact.
Subtractive
Instead of hardscaping around natural elements, bring natural elements into a hardscaping layout. This is particularly good for yards that don’t get great light or have particularly bad soil for growing. Create a curated environment where hedges, trees, and plants emerge from planters or lower levels of a paved, cemented, or otherwise covered yard. This option would also be great to practice xeriscaping in drought-prone climates.
Stepping Stones
Do you have a lot of water elements in your garden? Make them accessible by opting for wide, flat stepping stones through a pond or pool instead of a bridge, which will provide a kind of island in which you, your family, and you guests can luxuriate through the hottest days of summer.
Theme It
Why not get playful with the theme of your yard? For instance, large stone and cement statues of animals and wildlife can be positioned around your yard, or perhaps interpretations of chess pieces can be incorporated into the pillars of an arcade or pergola.
When it comes to hardscaping services, don’t be afraid to communicate your intent with your contractor. Together, you will surely be able to come up with some amazing ideas.
