Sometimes you know something about your landscape isn’t working, but figuring out what hardscape features to add can be difficult. Maybe your patio feels too small for the way you entertain, your yard is difficult to navigate, or you have a slope that makes part of the property hard to use. Hardscaping can help solve those problems, but adding more features isn’t always the answer. The best design choice depends on how much space you have and how you plan to use it.
Start With How You Use Your Yard
No two yards are exactly alike. The size and shape of your property, the layout of your home, and the parts of the landscape you want to keep all play a role in how much hardscape makes sense. You also need to think about how you actually use the space, whether that means gardening, entertaining, playing sports, or simply spending time outside. Even in similar North Shore neighborhoods, homeowners may need to do very different things with their space.
If you regularly entertain guests, consider a larger patio or outdoor gathering area. If you prefer a quieter, more private outdoor space, a smaller seating area may make more sense. If parts of the yard are difficult to navigate because of steep slopes, hardscape features like steps or retaining walls can make those areas easier to use.
A good layout should make it easy to move through the yard. You should be able to tell where people are meant to walk, where they can sit, and how the different areas connect without having to think about it. If you find yourself stopping to figure out where to go next, the layout may need another look.
That’s the thinking behind SanFilippo Landscape’s approach. Hardscape should fit the way you live in your yard instead of filling space simply because there’s room for it.
Look at the Property Before Adding More Hardscape
The details of your property can shape what kind of hardscaping makes sense. Drainage can affect where hardscape features can go, while the size and architecture of your home should also guide the layout. Here are some considerations you should think about before you decide what features could work in your yard:
- Size and shape of the property
- Size and architecture of the home
- Existing garden beds and trees
- Drainage and changes in elevation
- How much lawn you want to keep in your yard
- How much maintenance you want to take on
- Features you may want to add later
- Local zoning requirements
Think carefully about what you want. More hardscape doesn’t automatically make a property more useful. Too much can make a yard feel crowded, leaving less room for lawn, trees, and planting beds. The right amount gives the property enough structure to make it easier to use while still leaving room for the landscape around it. Every hardscape feature should serve a purpose and fit naturally into the way the rest of the property is used.
Related reading: Want to know what it’s like to work with a landscape partner who takes the whole property into account? Read more about Todd Hayden’s approach to thoughtful landscape design.
Make Hardscape and Planting Work Together
Think about what your space will look like in five or ten years, not just what it will look like when construction is finished. Plants and trees will keep growing, so you also have to think about how the space will look as the landscape fills in.
At SanFilippo Landscape, we start by talking with you about how you want to use the space, what you’d like to add, and what your property can accommodate. From there, we can think through a design that makes sense for the yard now and in the years ahead. For example, will expanding your current patio cause problems if you want to build out your plant bed in a few years? Will the walkway still leave enough room for nearby trees and shrubs as they grow?
Thinking about those changes early can save you from designing a space that works beautifully for one season but becomes awkward as the landscape grows.
Related reading: Ready to start talking with landscape companies? Here’s what to look for when you’re searching for the right fit.
Choosing Hardscape Features That Fit Your Yard
The right amount of hardscape is whatever makes your yard easier and more enjoyable to use without taking away the parts of the landscape you love. That can mean a larger patio on one property, a simple walkway on another, or a combination of features that helps the entire yard work better together.
If you’re considering a hardscape project, SanFilippo Landscape can help you think through what makes sense for your property and how you want to use it.
