7 Artistic Hardscaping Ideas to Enhance Your Outdoor Space

Everyone has a vision for their home's exterior. A beautiful yard with flowering plants, stone pathways, and a fancy fire pit–all tied together with an elevated deck. Or maybe a luxurious swimming pool with an outdoor lounge. 

Whatever you have in mind–now is the time to bring your vision to life. If you are designing a new outdoor space from scratch (or renovating the hardscaping of your old one), this article is your one-stop guide.

So, here are seven artistic hardscaping ideas to boost your home's outdoor appeal and functionality:

Pavers with a Flair

Starting with the most basic, yet an element the most visitors will experience–pavers. The right pavers will not only define your outdoor space but will also enhance its durability, versatility, and aesthetic appeal. 

The key consideration here is material options. There's a vast variety–concrete, natural stone, and clay brick. Based on your climate, budget, and design preference, choose the perfect pavers for your yard. 

However, beyond pavers, a compound for pavement joints will also play a crucial role in improving the permeability and stability of your hardscaping. It'll allow water to seep through, lock the pavers, and prevent weed growth.

Bring it full circle by blending the pavers with your other landscaping elements, like plants, outdoor decor, and furniture–for the most cohesive looks. 

Outdoor Shower

There's something serene to bathe in the open air. It connects you with nature in the most refreshing way. So why not add an outdoor shower in your garden with a privacy wall? 

Exterior walls directly outside the laundry room, bathrooms, and kitchen are ideal spots for outdoor showers. This will allow a clear path for the water lines and less plumbing requirements. 

You can make the outdoor showers as regal or basic as you want. Add privacy with slatted walls, offset partitions, and overhead trellis. Ensure you have a good drainage system. To make the hardscape long-lasting, weatherproof the siding–and with that, your outdoor shower is ready. 

Patios

Patios will be one of the largest hardscaping elements in your outdoor space. It'll define your home while also extending your indoor living space to serve as a place to rewind after a long day, entertain guests, or simply enjoy the outdoors. 

However, choose the right location for your brand-new patio. Ideally, a spot with sun and shade, privacy, and accessibility to the kitchen or the living room. Select patio material that offers both look and longevity to your patio.

Determine the size and shape. Plan essential features–drainage, lighting, safety, and permits. As the patio takes shape, you can even add features like shade structures, fire elements, and furniture to make it the highlight of your outdoor space.

Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor kitchens are booming in popularity. Its market size is poised to grow to $38.60 billion by 2030–and for good reasons. It increases the functionality of your outdoors and gives a luxurious touch to any space. 

The best part is outdoor kitchens can be as lavish as you want. With tabletop grills, open-fire cookstoves, built-in barbecue islands, and charcoal grills–you are spoiled with options. However, add the basic amenities, like the sink, outdoor kitchen workstation, a few outdoor appliances, and barbecue tools. 

It will surely give you a great ROI by skyrocketing the property value. 

Pergolas & Pavilions

Another functional and stylish addition to your outdoor space is a pergola or pavilion. This architectural hardscaping will add height, aesthetic, and uniqueness to the yard–creating the perfect space to relax and enjoy game night with friends or have a calming outdoor family dinner. 

Ideally, you want to break sections of your yard and connect them with winding walkways. This will give you and your guests multiple mingling spots. Add extra shade with colors. If you love plants, let vines grow over the pergolas to add additional color, shade, and floral scent to the structure.

Or, if you want a complete outdoor living space, you can customize it with finished ceilings. Couple them with recessed lighting to keep the space usable even during evening hours. 

Incorporate furniture and entertainment features–like a TV or theater–to complete your outdoor oasis. 

Light up with Outdoor Fireplace

Nothing brings elegance into a space like a fire-element. It's the perfect way to add warmth, ambiance, and style to your outdoor area. 

For outdoor fire elements, you have three major alternatives:

• A built-in, permanent outdoor fireplace with privacy and shelter
• Fire Pits that can be both built-in or portable
• Fire Table

Depending on your budget and space, you can build any of the above. While the firepit and fire table will be portable options, an outdoor fireplace will require you to choose a location–ideally, against a wall or fence.

Complete the hardscape with seating around your fire feature–considering the style, capacity, view, and atmosphere. With that, the fire element is ready to steal the spotlight at every gathering. 

Privacy Fences and Gates

Lastly, but the most important hardscaping elements of all–fences and gates. While it can be tempting not to install fences, sometimes they become non-negligible. 

You need fences and gates to keep animals outside, protect toddlers and pets from running into the swimming pool, or simply add privacy to the outdoor space. Moreover, it'll be the first thing any visitor or guest will see–thus making a crucial element of the property's curb appeal. 

So, start with the basics. Choose a gate that's at least three feet wide (the wider, the better) and three feet high for the visual barrier. The fence should not be lower than three feet but also not higher than six feet (check your municipality's zoning code). Mark your parameters with the fence. 

Select the fence and gate style to match your home's aesthetic appeal. It can be as simple as a classic wooden picket fence or a fancy ornamental wrought iron gate–the choice is yours. 

Hardscaping Your Way 

Home is built with love. When you pour your heart into every element you add to the property–be it exterior or interior–you are turning the house into a home–your home. The same applies to hardscaping your outdoor space. 

And remember, it does not matter if you are a master at hardscaping or a newbie taking on your first project–you can do this! When done right, even the smallest detail can make a huge impact on your outdoor space.

However, ensure all the elements and materials you choose– concrete, permeable pavers, stone, gravel, hardwood–work together. This will help tie your outdoors with the property's architectural style.