When you have made the decision to change your yard, you are likely going to start by looking at different pictures online to decide what exactly it is you like. The photos will appear balanced, between the plants, walkway, gazebo and whatever other features are in the picture. This is accomplished through using hardscaping and landscaping. While some people believe that these words are interchangeable, that could not be further from the truth.

Any brick and mortar structure in a yard is hardscaping. For example this could be a pool or patio. These areas of the yard are most likely the intended centerpieces of the yard. When you design a hardscape backyard, you want to start with these pieces first, since they will take up the most space. If you are starting completely from scratch, you can then change the shape and size of these elements without restrictions. If you find that you need more space, plants are always going to be easier to remove than pools or gazebos. These elements add value to your home but in the same token are also a commitment. The needs of plants may be more apparent, water, sunshine etc, but when committing to a patio or pool that also means that it needs to be cared for. Make sure to keep this in mind as you plan out your dream yard. 


Hardscaping is a subcategory of landscaping. When the two work in tandem, that is how you get a balanced yard. Landscaping is often thought of as just the plants that fill in the gap but it is so much more than that. Plants are what adds to the overall feeling of your yard. If you are leaning towards a drought resistant yard, the plants will accompany that style. Having the elements you want in your yard already having been thought out provides a great starting point when you talk to an expert. However, understand that you will need to be flexible. Hardscaping needs to be able to not just fit in the allotted space, but provide enough space for draining and will need to be able to withstand erosion. We want to make custom landscaping easy and are happy to point you in the right direction.