Hardscaping: Visual Interest in Landscape Design in Boise, ID

Landscaping your backyard can be a fun and rewarding experience! It lets you exercise your creativity and is a fulfilling endeavor as you see your vision coming to life as your own personalized outdoor sanctuary. At Bella Vista Landscape, we are eager to help you thoroughly enjoy the landscaping process! From selecting plants to layouts, hardscape elements and water features, there are endless opportunities for self-expression that can be implemented via our landscape design services. Whether you envision the perfect garden beds to showcase your green thumb or a firepit with inviting seating areas, the decisions you make about your landscaping will contribute to the ambiance, aesthetics, and functionality of your property--not to mention raising property values. 

It can be handy to hire a professional for some elements of landscaping, although there are many elements that you may be able to DIY with a few handy friends. Today, we’ll be discussing hardscaping, which is defined as the non-living elements of landscaping ranging from pavers to walkways, patios and more, all of which can add visual interest and texture to your landscape design. Some of our top tips to use hardscaping to add interest to your property include: 

Use diverse materials. This is a trend that has been gaining popularity as clients choose to branch out from the most traditional brick and concrete pavers. You can use those common materials and mix and match with stone, wood, and even corrugated metal to create contrasting textures and colors throughout your yard. This can add depth and visual appeal to your landscape, and using similar elements in different parts of your property can bring it all together for a cohesive look.

Remember to create focal points. The human eye loves to know what to look at; if aesthetics are important to you, keep this in consideration when you’re designing your landscape. A striking pathway, a water feature, or a decorative wall can be a focal point in your landscape. These features draw the eye and serve as visual anchors, giving a sense of structure and allowing viewers to have natural points to rest their eyes. 

Mix vertical and horizontal elements. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, and all horizontal with no vertical makes a property a dull one to look at! Trellises, pergolas, or arbors are excellent vertical elements, which can be paired with patios, walkways, and retaining walls to create an interplay between vertical and horizontal lines. These combinations can add dimension and a dynamic landscape that is equal parts functional and beautiful. 

Play with shapes and patterns. When it comes to designing your property, nothing is ever truly set in stone. Play with different shapes and patterns while arranging hardscape elements. Geometric pavers, circular seating areas, and curved pathways can add some movement to the flow of the landscape. 

Let there be light. Landscape lighting can highlight hardscape elements, improve evening functionality, and accentuate textures, depth, and create a warm and inviting ambiance even in the colder months. 

Consider the lilies. Integrating hardscape elements with vegetation can create beautiful, seamless transitions where man seems to meet nature. The smooth, flat surface of a concrete wall may be complemented by the intricate twining of ivy. The hard edges of many hardscape elements can be softened when paired with plants, and many vines love a good vertical structure to climb right up. 

At Bella Vista Landscape, we love helping clients experience the joy of witnessing their idea come to life as their plants grow, flowers bloom, and hardscape elements taking shape right in your own yard. Landscaping can help you connect with nature through the live elements you add, or with your family and friends when you create a space where friends and family can linger on a warm summer evening. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or beginner, landscaping your backyard can be a joyful experience, and we are eager to help you create an outdoor oasis that reflects your unique style and cultivates memories to last a lifetime. We serve our friends and neighbors in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, ID, and all surrounding areas. Give us a call at (208) 995-3532 or fill out our online contact form for more information today!