As the seasons shift and the temperatures rise, it is time to consider hardscaping services for your property.
The new year and spring season bring new hardscaping trends that are sure to promise to redefine your outdoor space. Whether you want a complete overhaul of your yard or are simply looking to add a couple of fresh touches to your outdoor living space, staying aware of the latest hardscaping trends is critical.
The average American spends roughly 14 hours per week outside. This small number is a little over 8% of their entire week. Imagine having an outdoor space where you want to spend time, relax, eat meals, entertain guests, and not do tons of upkeep and yard work. The answer: hardscaping.
If you are looking for a way to take your exterior retreat to the next level, look no further than these nine trends that will improve your outdoor living quality, enhance your landscape, and impress your guests.
Learn more about sustainable designs, bold elements, and low-maintenance hardscaping yard options in our article below.
What is hardscaping?
In landscaping, hardscaping is pretty much everything that is not vegetation; it’s a non-living element to your yard’s design. Hardscape items are manmade features that use natural and artificial elements.
For example, a walkway made of bricks or pea gravel is hardscape using manmade materials, while a wall built from river rocks is hardscape using natural elements. Decks, patios, artificial grass, fire pits, pavers, driveways, arbors, pathways, walls, and stepping stones are all examples of hardscaping.
Hardscaping defines your landscaping and adds the character, dimension, and functionality necessary to improve curb appeal and make you proud of your land and home. Simply put, hardscape architecture is the outline or skeleton of any landscaping project. It is the foundational building block on which all other design concepts are based.
9 hardscaping trends every homeowner should consider
Homeowners today are leaning into the perks of hardscaping installation services. Many options are available, but today’s trends are worth considering. Let’s explore some of our favorite hardscaping trends, highlighting what’s “in” in the design world of outdoor spaces. Here is what you need to know:
Bold hardscaping elements
If you want to make a statement in your 2024 landscape design, incorporating bold hardscape designs is a great way to go. Today’s trends include daring hardscape elements, such as water features and fire features.
A natural stone waterfall or a sleek and contemporary fire pit will instantly bring a personal flare and drama to any outdoor living space. These hardscaping elements offer homeowners a serene place to relax, an inviting space to entertain, and a functional area to enjoy.
Anything sustainable
Homeowners everywhere are becoming increasingly aware of the impact our actions have on the environment. In 2024, sustainability and eco-friendly hardscaping and landscaping options will skyrocket. Hardscaping your yard can mean using locally sourced materials, using less water for upkeep, reducing stormwater runoff, lower garden maintenance, and more.
Don’t be surprised when you see more permeable pavers, sustainable wood decking, recycled concrete, and other environmentally friendly options. These materials not only reduce human impact on the world but also offer functional, durable, and long-lasting options for outdoor living spaces.
Low-maintenance hardscaping options
Working smarter, not harder, is a common theme among homeowners in 2024. In years past, having a beautiful outdoor living space meant a constant hassle of maintenance and effort. Nowadays, that isn’t the case, and low-maintenance hardscaping and landscaping are the way to go.
Thanks to today’s technological advancements, we can expect to see even more durable and element-resistant options, like engineered stone, recycled concrete, and composite decking. These materials offer the beauty of traditional hardscaping without the hassle and need for constant upkeep.
Smart hardscaping elements
As smart homes continue to increase in popularity, it’s not surprising that they’re making their way into the outdoor space realm, too. Trends tell us that we will see an increasing number of incorporations of smart hardscaping features.
These features include automated irrigation systems, state-of-the-art lighting solutions (more on that below), app-controlled sound systems, speakers, security cameras, and more. By enhancing your outdoor lifestyle with smart hardscaping, homeowners can enjoy added convenience, advanced efficiency, and improved security in their outdoor spaces.
Proper outdoor lighting can transform your outdoor spaces by creating a magical, cozy, and inviting ambiance. While it was briefly mentioned above, we’re spending more time on this one since there are many ways to include creative lighting solutions, such as outlining pathways, highlighting architectural elements, and showcasing landscaping features.
Make your outdoor spaces come to life during the evening hours by implementing downlighting, uplighting, and even underwater lighting. Whether you set up these smart features to be controlled remotely or programmed to turn on automatically, you will love this hardscaping element.
Mixing textures and materials
One of the biggest trends in hardscaping that has passed the test of time is mixing materials and textures to create a diverse yet cohesive look. Fusing various elements, such as metal, stone, wood, and concrete, will bring visual intrigue by infusing outdoor space with engaging and dynamic dimensions.
Mixing multiple materials exudes aesthetic charm and beauty. It also reflects your distinct personal style and preferences.
Multifunctional spaces
In some cases, creating an outdoor space that serves one purpose is fine, but creating an area that meets the needs of multiple purposes is ideal. Modular striations and versatile seating arrangements that transform from dining spaces to lounging areas allow homeowners to make the most of their yards.
Hardscaping solutions that adapt to your various needs are essential when designing your backyard and surrounding spaces. If space is limited, think about ways your hardscaping can work double or triple time. A sports court with a pickleball, tennis, and basketball court allows for many types of play. Another example is a retaining wall that doubles as seating.
Vertical hardscape design
Another current trend is vertical hardscaping. Between pergolas, living walls, trellises, and more, incorporating vertical hardscaped elements into your property design adds depth, interest, and dimension to your outdoor spaces.
Vertical gardening has become increasingly popular among homeowners since it allows them to grow their own herbs, fruits, and vegetables in small areas. Vertical hardscaping is a great way to make the most of a retaining wall or a privacy wall.
Biophilic design elements
Embracing the outdoors and nature is a trend that’s here to stay. Hardscaping designs that effortlessly blend with the natural surrounding environment and incorporate elements like green roofs, sustainable materials, and living walls are gaining popularity among homeowners seeking to complete their outdoor space.
Biophilic design is not solely about adding some plants to a space and landscape installation services. It is a multi-faceted approach based on including nature and outdoor elements in the built environment. It enhances the aesthetic appeal while promoting peace, tranquility, and a connection to the natural space.
Use of texture, patterns, and color
Neutral tones will never go out of style, but bold patterns, colors, and textures are having a moment in hardscaping. From vibrant outdoor furniture to brightly colored planters to textured pavers, incorporating lively hues and finishes breathes life and personality into your outdoor designs.
If you prefer neutral tones, stepping into this trend may be daunting. Dip your toes into this craze by adding a pop of color with weather-proof pillows to your patio furniture or textured planter pots with brightly colored flowers. Texture, color, and pattern are great ways to express your creativity and add curb appeal and visual interest.
Hire LaytonScape for all of your hardscaping services
If you’re looking to elevate your outdoor living space with any of these trends, the team at LaytonScape can help you with any of your hardscaping services.
Whether you want bold elements, sustainable designs, low-maintenance options, or another trend, incorporating these trends into your hardscaping will create a beautiful, exciting, and functional outdoor space. The LaytonScape team offers expert hardscape design and installation services across Northern Utah. We excel at a wide range of projects, such as upgrading tire backyards to creating new formations and ideas from a blank canvas.
We have a long resume of award-winning designs, so you can rest easy knowing you’ve hired the right team to take on an original and excellent project. We consistently formulate superior hardscape designs, drawing on your vision and ideas and our expertise and knowledge.
It’s not only the design that needs to be outstanding; skillful and thoughtful installation is crucial to a cohesive, functional, and finished product. If you want quality materials, superior workmanship and colors, and a project that’s done on time and within budget, you want LaytonScape.
Homeowners and business owners all across Northern Utah trust LaytonScape to create their custom hardscape designs. Our work is awe-inspiring and will vastly exceed any expectations you may have. Need landscape installation services? We do that, too!
Contact LaytonScape today for your free estimate for your hardscape design project and landscape installation services.
