While some home and business owners absolutely love thick, lush lawns, there are plenty of people out there who would rather not have to deal with the mowing, fertilizing, aerating, watering, and other care that comes along with keeping a lawn in great condition. If you are one of those people, hardscaping is a beautiful solution that is far more accessible than you might think.
What is Hardscaping?
Hardscaping is a term that is used to describe the process of designing and decorating a lawn or property with various non-living elements. Some hardscape elements may include things such as pavement, brick patios, gazebos, arbors, concrete walls, fire pits, stone pavers, decorative stone walls, and more. Hardscaping is most commonly used to provide outdoor comfort spaces and to define the way a part of your yard or property should be used. For example, a wooden deck is designed to be an area where your family and friends can gather in comfort while a decorative wall is an aesthetic way to mark a property line.
Hardscaping Ideas for Minimizing Grass
If you are not a fan of a big lawn, hardscaping is a great way to help you reduce its size. Because the elements included in a hardscape are not living, they generally come with far less maintenance. If you want to minimize the grass in your yard, here are some ideas for creating beautiful grass-free spaces that are still comfortable and functional.
- A pool area. If you would rather spend your summers swimming in a cool pool of water than walking barefoot through the grass, a pool area is a popular hardscape option that offers aesthetic appeal and luxury – and in many cases, it can even increase your home value. Aside from the pool itself, you can design and build a concrete or wooden living space complete with chairs, an outdoor kitchen, and even a wet bar!
- A huge patio. If your lawn is very small, it may be possible to turn it into a concrete jungle by installing a huge patio that includes all the amenities you could need to host your family and friends. If you decide later that you want a garden, you can always bring in some raised beds or some containers.
- Large stone pavers and wildflowers. If you love the look of the wild outdoors but you are not a fan of mowing every time you turn around, consider installing large stone pavers all throughout your yard and planting small wildflowers in the spaces between. If you want to avoid weeding, try putting mulch between the planters and adding in a few annuals or perennials, instead.
- Create a rock garden. A space constructed entirely from natural stone is by far the best way to maintain the look of nature without too much maintenance. Choosing rocks of varying colors and textures will create interest, and you will still have space for shrubs, ornamental grasses, and even water features.
- An entire outdoor living space. If you want to go all out, it is possible to create a second living room and kitchen right in your backyard. Outdoor kitchens are incredibly popular right now, and so are outdoor living rooms. You can even buy weatherproof televisions so you can grill and watch the game at the same time.
There is no limit to what you can do with your outdoor space. Whether you want to create a natural rock garden with just a hint of grass here and there or convert the entire thing into a complete living space that you can enjoy with friends and family, the sky is truly the limit.