HARDSCAPES & DESIGN
DESIGN AND FUNCTIONALITY: Incorporating New Hardscaping Concepts for a Cohesive Backyard
T
he demand for outdoor living products remains high, meaning contractors are booked months (or even years) in advance. With multiple projects lined up to complete in 2022 and beyond, it’s critical contractors and crews stay up to date on design trends and product and equipment updates to keep themselves on track. Today, outdoor living is part of daily life, and these spaces are used for a variety of functions and activities. Knowing this, there are some key design concepts and products to consider when working on outdoor living plans as peak season approaches.
Mixed Materials: Blending Landscapes, Hardscapes
The industry is seeing a huge shift in outdoor design to incorporate more mixed materials. Hardscapes and landscapes are blending in what is known as entangled or biophilic design. This style uses true natural elements or materials that mimic nature to create a more organic look and feel. Entangled design comes to life through many different design options and techniques. A few common methods can be used to achieve this modern, natural style with hardscapes. • Fading: Likely the most common, the fading technique allows hardscapes to blend into turf or grass. This creates an
effect that appears as if vegetation has “broken” into these surfaces, which can help soften the space and achieve a very pleasing natural aesthetic. • Outcropping: Burying large stone boulders or outcroppings into PebbleTec the landscaping Water features come in an array of options, from more provides an traditional fountain styles to copper and stone water bowls, intriguing visual which can be integrated with fire features and planters. effect, making both the hardscapes and landscape appear as features blend into entangled design, if they are woven around these features. creating a modern yet timeless aesthetic. Overall deck designs have shifted to • Formal inset: While this can be include curved decks that have a more considered a standard design, it still organic flow. Using composite decking, creates a beautiful effect. Formal contractors can create a variety of insets, curved or angular, in the curved designs — from curved edges to paved surface, maintain a classic circular decks and even intricate shapes. look but still allow for the inclusion of natural elements like trees, plants or even a water feature. Creating Cohesive Designs • Stepping Stone: The stepping As contractors head into their busier stone technique is becoming more seasons, the shift in how customers and more popular, especially think about outdoor living today around pool designs. Pavers are should be top of mind. With the rise set in a stepping stone pattern and in entangled design and the need integrated with real grass or turf. for increased functionality, it’s more In addition, new products and textures important than ever for designers, are becoming popular to enhance contractors and their teams to look at the biophilic design and offer more visual “big picture” of their projects and ensure interest to a designs are as cohesive as possible. project. Natural wood and stone Joe Raboine in patios, decks Director of Residential and other outdoor Hardscapes elements help these Belgard
18 GREEN INDUSTRY PROS
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MARCH 2022
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Belgard
www.greenindustrypros.com
2/21/22 10:21 AM
