6 Tips for Creating a Successful Hardscape

Hardscaping is an excellent addition to any yard, transforming a plain grass lot into
something you can enjoy as much as your house. Planning a hardscaping project requires a
little more effort than your typical DIY project. You will want to invest in standing pat for the
long term, so keep these things in mind as you create your plan and budget for your next
outdoor living space.

1. Think about your landscape.
Think about your landscape before designing any hardscaping features for the spring. You
don’t want any unpleasant surprises to derail your hardscaping plans, even if you only work
on a little section of your yard. At the very least, you should survey the entire area to get a
feel for the scope of what’s doable and proceed accordingly.

2. Planning your drainage before you start digging is key.
When most of us think of hardscape, we think of the actual project, such as installing a wall
or a patio. But you should plan the drainage system first. Good drainage helps prevent
erosion and keeps water off your property, so you can use it on your plants or lawn. You
may even want to create a pool or pond on your property. Depending on the size and scope
of your project, you may need to hire someone with expertise in this area to do the job for
you.

3. Develop a focal point.
A focal point can be the first thing you notice when you view an area. It adds a pop of interest
and uniqueness to a landscape design. One can divide a focal point into two categories:
inanimate objects and living plants. Objects can be varied, such as a bench, bird bath, boulder,
container, or water feature. Trees with colorful flowers or fruit, evergreen boughs or cones, and
grasses also can work well to create a focal point.

4. Strike a balance between elements.
You want the eye to move toward a goal, and there should be one or two visual elements
that make you stop and look at them. Elements that are too linear in their design can make
things feel unnatural. The key is to vary the lines and patterns along which the eye travels.
By applying this concept, you can create a landscape design that is at once interesting and
visually intriguing from any direction.

5. Choose the right materials.
After deciding what you want, consider the details of the materials that will finish your
hardscape. Do you want all the same material for your walkway, or would it be more
interesting to use different materials throughout the space? Will you choose one type of brick
or two different types for your patio?
The goal is to select two or three materials that are visually interesting and that work well
with the rest of the house’s interior and exterior design. Variety in textures is also important.
Most hardscapes can get away with two textures, like flagstone on the ground and
landscape blocks for low walls. More than two textures, however, tend to look cluttered.

6. Call in the professionals.
While homeowners can certainly handle their own design jobs or tackle them with the help of
books and online advice, it’s usually a good idea to get professional help for larger projects
and designs requiring higher expertise. And this is especially true of hardscape design. Try
contacting friends or local real estate agents to get their recommendations and check
portfolios and references.

Well-designed hardscaping can make your property look more attractive and inviting,
especially if you are looking to overhaul the way your yard looks. Whether adding a
hardscaping element to your yard or remodeling an existing one, our team at Harper
Property Maintenance is here to help residents of Delaware, Montgomery, and Chester
counties. We are dedicated to ensuring you get the best value from your next service project
and enjoy the turning of seasons in style!