5 Qualities of a Pleasant Hardscape Design

Technically, all homes have hardscapes. Basic concrete sidewalks and plain stucco pool decks set the standard for ordinary American backyards, but nobody wants to be ordinary. Nobody wants their home to be forgettable and plain. Hence the popularity of landscape and hardscape design. Landscape artists add beautiful natural life to your property and a hardscaper in Cumming can create unique and attractive patios, walkways, rock walls, and other solid features. 

But how do you getextraordinary results? When hardscapes are commonplace features, how do you guarantee that your specific yard will look any better than the average yard? How do you prevent common pitfalls, like mismatched features, messy work, or a cold and uninviting environment? In other words, can hardscapes actually make a difference? Read on to discover the 5 qualities of good hardscape design, the kind of work that makes for beautiful and unique properties.

1. Put Nature First

The primary function of hardscapes is to create walking and entertaining space so that you can enjoy the natural beauty of your property. Hardscapes should not replace nature. Good designers know to keep hardscapes to a minimum so that there is still natural beauty to appreciate.

The secondary function of hardscapes is to accessorize and improve natural beauty with features like decorative stones, retaining walls, and brick borders. Imagine how silly an empty bed of flowers will look. Therefore, landscape design comes first, and hardscapes fit into them.

2. Hire Quality Work

The difference between a cracked concrete sidewalk and a beautiful brick paver driveway is that one is inexpensively and quickly constructed and the other is built with care, detail, and smart design. Be sure to hire a hardscaper who uses quality products and works carefully to prevent mistakes and ensure your hardscapes last a long time, through torrential rains, fierce winds, and unrelenting sunshine.

3. Choose a Theme and Stick to It

Another problem with many backyards is the lack of a consistent theme. This can result in clashing features or too many hardscape features. Try to work with a designer who can develop a consistent and attractive theme for your property. Here are some themes you can consider:

• A minimal design of right angles, parallel lines, and white or gray materials
• A naturalistic design of raw rocks, winding paths, and rough materials
• A classic and homey yard full of retaining walls and bordered flower beds, gentle stone sidewalks, stone benches, and a handsome stone fireplace
• An eclectic and fun mix of light and colorful materials with features like a fire pit and handsome pool deck.

A good general rule to follow when developing a design theme is to consider the architectural style of your home. Your best possible yard will accentuate your house rather than making it stick out like a sore thumb.

4. Be Artistic

Nothing beats smart design, good materials, and a concise theme except priority number 1: ensuring that your back yard actually looks nice. This requires a little bit of an artistic touch. A good hardscape designer will know how to create a design that accentuates your home, fits attractively around natural details, makes good use of motifs (repeated images or patterns), and wraps this nicely in an attractive color scheme. 

5. Be Practical

As pretty as a yard should be, you should also be able to use it. What good is a yard without space to entertain a party, lounge by yourself, take a quick walk, or play in the grass? Whatever you dream using your yard for, make sure you have hardscapes that enable you to do it. When you speak to a hardscaper in Cumming about your design tastes and the practical uses for your property, he or she can help you achieve it with smart design and quality work. That will be the true difference between your yard and anyone else's. Other people simply have backyards; you will have a paradise that is your very own.

Source : articlesbase.com