If you consider your outdoor space an oasis where you can relax with friends and loved ones or enjoy watching Mother Nature, then adding hardscaping is the perfect way to expand your home’s outdoor living area. Hardscaping is when you add non-living materials to a landscape, such as wood, stone, metal, and concrete. These features compliment your “softscaping”, such as trees, shrubs, and flowers which provide natural beauty. Hardscaping projects can range anywhere from something small to something grander that takes more time to plan and install. No matter how small or how big the hardscape is, it will add elegance, style, and value to your landscape. The following are just a few ideas that can make your outdoor living area more relaxing and entertaining.
Fire features are very popular in outdoor living today. They allow for friends and family to gather outdoors without worrying about getting cold. Fire features provide an energetic, relaxing mood for outdoor living. If you are planning on entertaining a small group of people or if you are looking for a strong statement piece, then a fireplace would be the ideal option. Fire pits, on the other hand, are usually less expensive and are geared toward casual entertaining with larger groups of people.
Water features bring about a sense of tranquility and peacefulness. Hardscapes such as water walls and fountains provide statement pieces to any landscape. Water features can bring small gardens to life just like large water features more readily compliment bigger spaces. If you are looking to add a bold statement to your backyard and have an outdoor kitchen, consider installing a water wall or koi pond. If you enjoy Mother Nature and wildlife, then adding a pond could attract animals such as birds, frogs, and butterflies.
Patios offer many enjoyable places for entertaining, getting lost in a good book, and creating memories with your loved ones. Patios will increase your outdoor living area and increase the value of your home. If a patio is installed close to an entry in to and out of the house, then it can be considered an extension of your home. Many homeowners prefer to have their patio in their backyard for some peace and quiet, but more importantly, privacy.
Retaining walls are meant to hold soil behind them and are a great way to create a focal point to your backyard. They are used to help individuals overcome sloped areas in their yard and add a visually appealing view to their landscape while serving a functional purpose. Retaining walls also come with environmental benefits including protecting areas from saturation and soil erosion reduction.
You already have a seating area to entertain guests, but now it is time to add some recreation to your outdoor living area. No matter what your age, playing an oversized, nostalgic game of Chess, Connect Four, Horseshoes, or Croquet will ensure you and your guests are having a great time. Adding a play area for your children’s swing set and play equipment can also give them a sense of independence and a place to play while the adults are enjoying one another’s company. Adding an outdoor gaming area will always be a crowd pleaser and will help everyone get the most out of your outdoor living space.
Who doesn’t love a delicious hamburger or steak cooked on a grill? Outdoor kitchens are such a focal point of any party and food is a big part of entertaining, so why not include an outdoor kitchen to your backyard? When you are having a good time or engaged in an in-depth conversation, you do not want to leave to go inside to refill your drink or grab a snack. Having a kitchen outdoors can prevent that from happening and you won’t have to worry about missing a thing.
Everyone likes to have a place for friends and family to gather to enjoy one another’s company. Adding hardscapes such as the ones above will help you reach that goal, provide an aesthetically pleasing look to your backyard, and increase the value of your property. St. Louis Select Landscaping are experts in creating the perfect space for your entertaining needs. They are reliable professionals who have years of experience in designing a variety of hardscapes that you will enjoy and be proud of for years to come. Call us today at (314) 568-6550 so we can set up a time to discuss your vision of what you would like to add to your living oasis.
