What is hardscaping (and is it right for your yard)?
By Evan Crowther•Last updated Jun 2, 2023
Last updated Jun 2, 2023
This guide was reviewed by landscape designer Bret Douglas of Iron Clad Landscape Management.
Your outdoor living space needs more than plants to tie it together. Hardscape elements are essential to a home’s landscaping design.
But what exactly is hardscaping? And do you really need it for your yard?
Read on to learn more and see how you can incorporate these elements into your backyard or front yard design.
What is hardscaping?
Any non-living, often man-made or human-built element in your outdoor living space is a hardscape feature.
These features add curb appeal to a home and draw attention to focal points, but they can also be functional. Using hardscape materials effectively can turn a yard into a beautiful space for outdoor lounging and backyard entertaining.
What are some examples of hardscapes?
Some of the most common examples include:
- Fences
- Benches and statues
- Boulders, rocks, and gravel
- Decks and patios
- Water features, like pools, ponds, or fountains
- Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces
- Outdoor kitchens and dining areas
- Paved or stone walkways and steps
- Retaining walls for garden beds
- Pergolas, gazebos, arbors, and trellises
- Landscape lighting
Advantages and disadvantages of hardscaping
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Increased curb appeal | Can be expensive |
| Can create more living space | Less flexible, can be tough to work with |
| Durability | Requires some maintenance |
| Helps conserve water | Installation can take a long time |
There are several pros and cons to adding hardscape features to your yard. Some projects, like building a deck, can be expensive and take a long time to complete. You may also need to factor in maintenance, such as painting, staining, and sealing wood structures. And once a hardscape feature is installed, it may be hard, or impossible, to move or change it.
On the other hand, hardscape elements can make a home more attractive and functional. Lights, a patio or deck, a pool, shade structures, outdoor seating, and pathways all encourage people to lounge and move throughout your yard.
And if you substitute some softscapes with hardscapes, you could lower your water usage. For example, instead of grass, you can have a yard that contains gravel, sand, and stone pavers.
Hardscaping vs. softscaping and xeriscaping — what’s the difference?
While hardscaping designs use non-living features, softscape features are organic materials like flowers and trees. If you want a well-balanced design, you should incorporate softscaping. It adds life, color, and texture to an outdoor space.
Xeriscaping is a combination of hardscaping and landscaping that makes a space more drought-resistant. The design of a xeriscaped space conserves water by combining irrigation systems with drought-tolerant plants.
How to decide if hardscaping is right for you
Incorporating hardscape design into your outdoor space is a big decision. Consider your unique needs and preferences, as well as what works best for your space.
Ask yourself the following questions when considering hardscaping:
How do you want to use your outdoor space?
Before deciding what hardscape elements to add to your yard, consider how you plan to use the space.
Do you want to host gatherings and outdoor events? You may want more functional features like a gas fire pit, a patio or deck, and outdoor lighting.
On the other hand, if you want your yard to have a more natural aesthetic, you may prefer to use more plants in your landscaping.
How much maintenance are you willing to do?
Hardscaping is ideal for people with less time to maintain an outdoor space. These features typically have fewer maintenance requirements than softscape elements.
What is your budget?
Hardscaping projects vary in cost, depending on the landscape materials and the size and complexity of the design. Before committing to a project, set a budget and stick to it. You might want to get a free estimate from a landscaper to get an idea of what a project will cost.
What hardscape elements will complement the existing landscape?
Some aspects of your yard can help you narrow down your hardscaping options. You probably don't need to redesign your entire yard. Instead, try using a few elements to enhance your landscape's natural beauty and make it more inviting.
For example, does your backyard or front yard lack a focal point? You can make your yard more intriguing to visitors with a hardscape addition. Build a paver patio, install a fountain, or place a statue to draw the eye.
Or, do your garden beds appear to be too close to your lawn? Is the mulch or dirt overflowing onto your grass? You may want to add a brick, wood, metal, or plastic border around your garden beds to create crisp, clean lines in your yard.
Consult a landscaper near you today
There are countless ways to add hardscape features to a front yard or backyard. Some projects are easy enough to DIY, but for more involved projects, it’s best to hire a pro.
Download the Thumbtack app today to get started on your project. Contact the top landscapers near you, and start comparing price quotes.
FAQs
What is the difference between hardscaping and landscaping?
Hardscaping refers to the use of non-living elements in landscape design. Landscaping encompasses both hardscaping and softscaping, which uses living design elements like flowers, trees, and grasses.
How do I prepare for hardscaping?
The first step of any hardscaping project is careful planning. Consider your budget and do your research, then create a design or consult with a landscape designer. Be sure to check with local officials to see if you need any permits or approvals.
What time of year is best for hardscaping?
Hardscaping in the winter and fall may offer several benefits. When your plants aren’t in bloom, you can more easily see where your outdoor space is missing focal points. For those areas, you may want to consider adding a hardscape feature.
Winter is also the slow season for most landscaping contractors, so prices may be lower. You might even experience a faster turnaround time. However, be mindful of the temperatures in your area. Don’t wait until the coldest months, as snow and ice can complicate hardscaping projects.
Note about project costs included or linked in this article: Figures represent national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack pros and additional research. These figures are for educational purposes only and are subject to change at any time due to various factors. Details about your specific project and local rates can affect costs.
How it works.
Search.
Browse profiles, see prices and use filters to find pros who match your project.
Chat.
Contact the pros you like to discuss project details.
Hire.
Check pro availability and book appointments right in the app.
Find local pros for your project
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll show you pros right for the job, with prices.