As a homeowner, you may be considering new ways to add value to your property. While there are many paths to accomplishing this goal, one often overlooked option is hardscaping.
Hardscaping involves creating outdoor fixtures using hard materials like stone, concrete, or brick to create outdoor living spaces and fixtures. Beyond increasing the curb appeal of a home, hardscaping can also add functionality and value.
For example, a patio can provide a great space for entertaining, while a fire pit can create a cozy gathering spot for family and friends. With so many potential benefits, it’s no wonder that hardscaping projects have become increasingly requested by many homeowners.
Whether you are looking to sell your home in the near future or you want to create a space outdoors that feels more livable, here are some benefits of hardscaping as well as some ideas to get started.
Hardscaped Features Are Low Maintenance
One of the most appealing aspects of hardscaping is that it requires very little maintenance.
Once your project is complete, you won’t have to worry about regular upkeep like you would with a traditional garden or lawn. This means that you can spend more time enjoying your outdoor space and less time working on it. For most hardscaped installations, a simple power washing can help remove any dirt and return it to a brighter, like-new appearance.
Highly Functional Outdoor Spaces
Another great reason to consider hardscaping for your home is that it can turn your outdoor living space into a functional and enjoyable area.
For example, if you have a large backyard, you may want to consider adding a patio, walkway, or outdoor kitchen area. This can create an inviting spot for entertaining guests or simply relaxing outdoors. If you have a smaller yard, you can still make the most of your space by adding a fire pit or built-in seating.
You can also install built-in lighting into hardscape features. This helps increase visibility and safety at night while also drawing the eye to the most beautiful parts of your yard.
A Perfect Extension for Pool Areas
Hardscaped features are a perfect extension for your pool and its surrounding area, whether above-ground or inground.
Using materials like stone or concrete, you can create a patio area around the pool. This provides a faster-drying alternative to grass and dirt. Additionally, these surfaces can protect the soil underneath from any pool chemicals that might splash onto it.
Lastly, a hardscaped surface near the pool provides extra room for placing chairs, tables, bartops, grills, and other outdoor features that you love to use during the summer. You can also connect your pool area to other parts of your yard using a concrete or brick path.
Increase the Aesthetic Appeal of Your Home
Not only can hardscaping add new dimensions, textures, and functionality to your yard, but it can also enhance its overall appearance. Whether you want to use your new features to host friends or market your property to discerning homebuyers, there’s no mistaking the visual value of your investment.
If you are planning to list your home for sale, hardscaped elements like patios and built-in outdoor lighting can help to attract buyers. For example, if there are two identical homes next to one another and only one has a patio, the one with the patio may appeal more because it has an additional feature the other does not.
Popular Types of Hardscape Features to Consider
At Grasshopper Gardens, we are often asked about different hardscape elements that homeowners might want to add to their properties.
Two of the most popular hardscape installations are patios and walkways. These practical surfaces can be used for nearly any purpose, and with outdoor lighting installations, they are great for gathering at any hour of the day.
Outdoor fireplaces, firepits, and kitchen areas are additional fantastic ideas for entertaining during the summer. You can enjoy a delicious meal, warm up by the fire, or simply enjoy a night outside admiring the beauty of Upstate NY.
Finally, we also recommend hardscaped features for many of the landscape design projects we fulfill for our customers. Whether you want to create simple stone barriers between flowerbeds, planters, or integrate these features into a larger installation, these permanent options can help enhance the beauty of any space.
Get Hardscaping Services in Saratoga NY
Grasshopper Gardens provides landscape and hardscape services to homeowners throughout Saratoga County and the Capital Region. If you are looking to enhance the appearance and functionality of your yard, contact us today to learn more about how we can help you make your dream design a reality that you can enjoy for years to come!