Renovating your home’s outdoor space with hardscaping basics features can be a daunting task. Often, it is a lengthy process as the design may change several times before the finished outdoor space can be seen by others.
But before you place a shovel into the ground, you must come up with a solid concept, create a firm budget and never duplicate a neighbor’s hardscaping design. All of these factors are important to gain a modern outdoor look for your home. The better the design, the easier to renovate the outdoor space.
Here are 11 things to know before renovating your outdoor hardscaping:
What are Hardscape Outdoor Features?
If you are a new homeowner and unfamiliar with the term, hardscape outdoor features, think of them as an area for entertainment purposes. Some of the more popular Hardscape outdoor features include a patio deck, walkways, an outdoor sitting area, retaining walls, a waterfall, a fire pit, and an outdoor kitchen unit.
Also, schedule a meeting with representatives from the biological insecticide technology firm and the local wildlife control services department. Their input will be key in choosing materials, landscape features, and other products that will enhance the renovation project.
1. Devise a Renovating Project Outline
First, choose how you are renovating your outdoor space. You must ask yourself: what is the purpose of the renovating hardscaping basics project? Did you want to match the decor of the exterior look of your home? Or is it possible to transform the outdoor space into your family escape from the outside?
It might be wise before planning your outdoor design, to go walk outside and try to visualize what hardscaping basics features will look good on the property. Also, this process will help to designate the area to build a patio area or outdoor kitchen area if that is your choice. Take the time to choose the flooring or schedule a meeting with a stone supplier to get suggestions.
Hardscaping basics features can become the signature design for your backyard. It can give the illusion of the outdoor space expanding. A concept of this nature works best with a dining area located on the patio. The materials used can expand the path from the grilling area to the guests. Plus, it can invite people to relax near your outdoor fireplace.
You want to create a vibe where an individual can enjoy breakfast in the morning, dinner in the evening, or a setting to relax from a long day at work.
2. Set a Firm Financial Budget
In the end, every renovation project comes down to money. Setting a firm budget limit is going to keep the amount spent on accessories in check. It is upon you to account for the materials needed to fulfill the project design, the labor, and other pertinent costs before finalizing your budget. However, give yourself some room to change course (design-wise) midstream, but take into consideration how much you’re willing to spend to complete the renovation.
Depending on the size of the budget, you may have to choose inexpensive hardscaping feature items. Just make sure the materials are durable to withstand all weather conditions throughout the year. Certain materials do not fair well in extreme heat during the summer season.
Keep in mind, all additions to your property will add value to the home. But renovation projects might require some financing under the category of a home mortgage loan. Their interest rates are less expensive than a personal loan. It makes sound financial sense to consider a renovation project for your outdoor space.
3. Balancing Your Landscape and Hardscape Design
It is very easy to go overboard with the outdoor space design. Choosing too many landscape or hardscape features will create an imbalance in your outside appearance. Yes, you want your lawn to be in good condition and the flower beds are well-trimmed. And you can remove the brush and dead plants to place an attractive hardscaping basics feature.
Before beginning the renovation process, you must create a way to balance your current landscape design with the new hardscape design on the property. Your decision may include separating your flower beds with a walkway or adding a tree near the patio deck. It may come down to what is the main feature of the backyard: your lawn or patio sitting area.
Replacing just a portion of your backyard lawn with two hardscaping basics features will reduce the level of water needed for irrigation. Some homeowners feel the conversion will provide a more functional outdoor area to entertain. Many have chosen hardscaping features that are made from decomposed granite and gravel.
Despite increasing the use of your outdoor space, hardscaping basics will play a vital role during the rainy season. Each feature allows the rain to soak the earth’s surface during a heavy storm. And in return, helps the soil remain moist throughout the fall and winter seasons.
Also, hardscaping basics features will remove the threat of weeds growing on the outskirts of your backyard. Thankfully, newly installed features require very little maintenance. You may need a broom and rack to remove the leaves and brush off the lawn.
In the end, the goal is to renovate your outdoor space by adding some joy to your family life.
4. Choose Your Hardscape Basics Style
Before renovating your outdoor space, you must decide on the style that will be featured in the backyard. You can choose multiple style designs, but you may want to sketch the look before making any purchases. Try to leave some room for your children and pets to play. Or space out an area to grill food and entertain guests. These are some of the outdoor possibilities you must consider when deciding your backyard’s hardscape basics style.
5. This Is Not a DIY Project, Hire a Hardscaping Designer
Renovating your outdoor space with hardscaping basics features cannot be a ‘do-it-yourself’ (DIY) project. Do not be embarrassed to hire a professional hardscape designer. You may need assistance in translating your vision onto paper. And they have a staff of contractors who can install or build each feature without delay. But confirm each worker has a state license before allowing them on your property.
A budget will help a hardscaping designer to create a plan to transform your backyard into a modern look. It will provide them with a limit on the number of features they can purchase. Possibly, you may want to offer a wish list along with your budget plan.
Finally, account for the designer’s service fees (labor cost included) in the final budget plan submitted. Also, plan to hire a trash removal service, a demolition firm, custom shutter companies, and independent residential roofers.
And keep in constant contact with your designer in case they come across an object above the budget range. If it is a desired item, then extend the budget range. The feature will gain you compliments from your guests.
6. Build a Useful Walkway
Homeowners love having a hardscaping walkway that leads their guests to the patio deck. To make the walkway stand out, place a series of plants or several flower beds along each side. It will help your guests to remain on the path to their destination.
If designed correctly, a hardscaping basics feature can help drain water from a recent rainstorm. It removes the need for a flood damage restoration specialist to come to your home.
Also, remove the weeds growing near the home. You may ask yourself if you need a large amount of lawn space in the backyard. It might be wise to convert a section into a walkway heading out from the patio. You must consider the ages of everyone who will use the walkway and think of using materials like decomposed granite to make the navigation process much easier. You do not want your guests injuring themselves.
The walkway should have easy access for individuals to move around the backyard effortlessly.
Take inventory of what items are available in your backyard. You may have hidden gems that could become feature pieces in a new hardscaping basics design. Some items might have to be relocated to the property to be of better use. This holds true for leftover bricks stored in the garage. They can be repurposed as a barrier for the new walkway near the patio.
7. A Patio Deck is a Staple Among Hardscape Features
Adding a patio deck is the most popular hardscaping basics feature of an outdoor space. Homeowners feel their patio provides versatility when they entertain family or friends. Also, the outdoor space can be easily converted into a temporary workspace. The cost might be more than expected, but well worth the price.
You may want to add a sitting wall around the perimeter of the patio deck. It will add beauty and increase the sitting area. Some homeowners will add stone columns on each side of the sitting wall. However, if your backyard has a steep incline, a retaining wall will level the ground in the patio outside the sitting area.
8. Outdoor Kitchen Unit Feeds Your Inner Chef
Another popular hardscaping basics feature option is building a brick-encased outdoor kitchen unit. Instead of purchasing a multi-purpose grill. Homeowners are adding a double grill, sink, refrigerator, and wood-burning pizza oven to their outdoor kitchen unit. Often, they place the encased outdoor kitchen unit near the dining area.
The stone encasement for the outdoor kitchen unit should match the backyard’s walls. The countertop should be granite stone for fast, easy cleanup after cooking on the grill.
9. Build a Waterfall Inside Your Pool
A popular hardscaping water feature is a mini-waterfall in the pool. It is an effective way to incorporate hardscaping basics into your backyard. Some homeowners will place underwater lights underneath the waterfall. It encourages your guests to stay in the pool after dark. The new feature should act like a person’s own oasis. A perfect place to spend time relaxing.
However, a waterfall is not an ideal choice for a desert home. It would be wasting valuable water resources. In this area of the country, you want to choose water-resistant plants to place in the backyard as they will save money on your monthly water delivery services charge.
10. Incorporating a Firepit into Your Backyard
Hardscaping basics features like a firepit can become the signature design for your backyard. It can give the illusion of the outdoor space expanding. To get a positive reaction from your guests, this works best with building a firepit or fireplace near the patio area.
This format is moving up in popularity with homeowners. They feel a firepit will add style and purpose to their outdoor space. It is a place to relax, have a romantic evening with your loved one, or an entertainment area during the holiday season.
Instruct your contractor to build your firepit with durable stone materials such as brick, concrete, or granite. It will provide a great balance with the landscape found in the backyard. Firepits are a great resource to generate heat and keep you warm on those chilly nights. The food is prepared and cooked in a wood-burning format or a gas-operated starter.
11. Outdoor Lighting is Essential
The final addition to your outdoor space is lighting. On your patio deck, you need to hire residential roofers to build an open-air roof and hang lights along the outer perimeter of the structure. Another ideal location is placing lights on the top of your sitting or retaining wall. Separate the lights approximately one foot apart from one another. Either option will guarantee lighting up your outdoor space after the sun goes down.
To conserve energy, set your outdoor lighting system on a timer. It won’t take away from entertaining in the summer months.
No question, hardscaping basics features are popular with homeowners. The reason is their versatility to entertain others. Each of the hardscaping basics features mentioned is a great way to renovate your home’s backyard, especially with the help of professional services, like a demolition company. It is a worthy investment for your family to enjoy quality time outdoors this summer.
