How to Create a Hardscape

According to HGTV, hardscaping is an attractive feature and offers many appealing options, from a rustic stacked wall to a fully developed outdoor living room and kitchen. Once you've decided to create an outdoor space, you must plan carefully to meet your hardscaping goals.

The first step is to consider the landscaping. Be sure to consider the entire area available to you for hardscaping before you design an element, even if you're just tackling one space for now. Doing so now can save you time and money later. Samuel Salsbury, a member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers states:

"At the bare minimum you should plan a design for the whole area, or consult a professional to create a design for you. If you don't consider the site comprehensively, it's like building one room of a house, and then a year or so later, a second room. You may decide to plop down a patio, and then decide you want a barbecue, pond or walkway and the patio blocks your plan."

Another important thing to take into consideration is the drainage requirement for the space. Too many times, hardscapes are ruined by poorly planned projects. Drainage from your home or lawn can wash away a wall or flood a patio. Make sure you pay close attention to the drainage requirements of your landscape before building your hardscape. This will help to ensure your projects will stay beautiful and last for years to come.

Once you have planned your hardscape, and dealt with possible drainage problems, you can begin to build the yard of your dreams. However, don't forget to start with a focal point to draw your eye through the landscape and create a destination.

Choosing balanced elements for your hardscape project is a must for your project to feel natural. Sabrena Schweyer, APLD, in Salsbury-Schweyer states:

"Too-linear elements can create an unnatural feel. I see way too many people plop in a straight or L-shaped sidewalk, or stick a linear or rectangular patio or deck on the back of the house without giving further thought to the natural lines of the space. You should try to include curves and shapes in a way that the hardscape elements transition gracefully into the rest of the landscape."

Choosing the right materials for your hardscape, as well as choosing the appropriate greenery for your surround is very important to keep your space balanced. Be sure to leave 'green space' for children and pets to play as well.

For more information on how to design a hardscape, go to
http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/how-to-create-a-successful-hardscape/index.html