Hardscaping is a great way to add long-term, affordable investment into your home. It increases the aesthetic importance of your yard and improves its value.

However, hardscaping isn’t just for visual appeal; it must also be functional. Fortunately, there are several tips for maintaining and enhancing your sophisticated hardscaping elements to look their best.

Keep It Clean

Whether it’s a natural rock water feature, decks surrounding a pool or an exquisite wood pergola, the hardscaping elements in your landscape can be a work of art. But just like a piece of art, these hardscaping pieces can be challenging to keep looking their best.

An expert Los Altos landscape design company will typically recommend that hardscaping should be a vital part of any landscaping plan. It should outline specific areas, highlight soft elements, aid in water drainage, and promote natural ingredients’ growth and visual appeal.

But hardscaping should be one of many focuses in your landscape. Adding lots of flowers, shrubs and potted plants will balance out your artificial elements and create a more beautiful space to relax and enjoy.

Giving your hardscaping a good cleaning each spring is essential to stay in great shape and still look its best throughout the season. A good clean can involve a simple mixture of one-part bleach and ten parts water. Spray the surface and allow it to sit for 10 minutes before rinsing.

Keep It Dry

Sophisticated hardscaping elements can add charm and character to your outdoor space. They can also increase the resale value of your home, especially if you’re planning to sell in the future.

While these items are generally sturdy and low maintenance, they still require regular cleaning and inspections to keep them looking their best. They must be cared for, like hardwood floors or cars, to maintain their luster and longevity.

A well-designed landscaping plan can include a blend of both hardscaping and softscaping elements that complement one another. For example, a pergola that provides shade while supporting climbing plants will complement a planter that supports a lush flower garden.

However, it’s essential to avoid overdoing hardscaping. Overabundant elements can steal the ambiance from your landscape, causing it to appear cold and impersonal.

Aside from aesthetics, structural hardscaping features can also help reduce runoff and water pollution. Permeable materials naturally absorb rainwater, so these components can also catch and store water before they can be used for irrigation.

Keep It Cleaner

Over time, your paving stones have weathered and expanded, soiled by rain and dirt, and sneaky weeds and insects have found their way in. It may be frustrating to see the hardscaping you spent so much time and money creating look less like it did when it was new.

If you’re considering adding a patio, fireplace, outdoor kitchen or any other sophisticated hardscaping element to your backyard, keep these tips in mind to ensure it looks just like new.

The key is to strike a balance between the man-made and natural elements of your landscape, especially when you’re planning for potential buyers. Overabundant hardscaping can steal the natural charm and appeal of your home’s exterior.

Keeping your hardscaping clean and organized is essential to appear fresh and bright each season. For example, a power wash can help keep your paved walkways and patios in tip-top condition. It is also a good idea to reapply an annual paver sealer to keep your hardscapes looking their best.

Keep It Safe

A well-designed hardscaping scheme can add serious curb appeal to your abode and make your life much easier. For example, a friendly paver or two and some sand can make your drab patios and walkways seem like something out of a science fiction novel. The best part is it’s much less expensive to keep your hardscaping in tip-top condition than replacing a whole yard of turf, and with a few simple maintenance steps, you’ll be back to enjoying your prized possession in no time at all! With all the benefits of hardscaping, it’s no wonder that hardscaping is one of the fastest-growing industries in the industry. If you’re in the market for a new patio or walkway, consider the experts at ICPI to help you design and execute your dream outdoor living space. Our award-winning landscapers will give you a no-obligation consultation to start on the right foot.

Keep It Fresh

Hardscaping can be an excellent way to add beauty and functionality to your landscape. It includes many elements, from stone retaining walls to patios, walkways and fire pits.

Balance and symmetry are among the most important things to remember when designing your hardscape. For example, if you add a half wall to create a garden seating area, it should be placed to get plenty of sunlight and work well with other yard areas.

Another thing to keep in mind is drainage. Your hardscape can only block rain from draining properly if designed correctly.

A great way to avoid this is to organize your hardscapes well before you start the project. This will help you save time and money later if you need to move them around to accommodate changes in your landscaping needs.

Finally, periodically check your hardscaping for problems like cracking or shifting. This will ensure that your hardscapes look their best and remain structurally sound for years.