21 Best Hardscape Ideas For A Welcoming Outdoor Escape

stone, mountain backyard scenery — Photo:
Getty Images

Southerners love their gardening and landscaping, but if you really want to make your outside space feel welcoming and ideal for entertaining, it's time to figure out a hardscape plan. Unlike landscape which refers to the living elements like grass, trees, and flowers in your outdoor design, hardscape is the "non-living" elements like concrete, stone, and more.

"Homeowners like to be able to come home and have a place to unwind from at nights or on the weekends," says expert landscaper Anthony Carpenter. "They like to be able to sit out on a nice patio and relax from the busy day. We like a nice patio beside a nice water feature that is very relaxing, or a nice outdoor kitchen with fireplace during cool nights to relax with."

Anthony Carpenter is the co-owner of Carpenter Landscaping & Hardscaping in North Carolina.

Of course, there's a wide variety of other hardscape ideas that transform the usage and design of your backyard area. Check out these 21 hardscape ideas to get your creative juices flowing so you can enjoy the space outside your interiors.

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Rustic Campfire Elegance

center fire pit withblue adirondack chairs — Simply Southern Cottage

To elevate the ambiance outdoors once the sun begins to set, arrange string lights like Sara did here. Combined with the fire coming from the center fire pit, this outdoor set creates a cozy atmosphere along the brick pavers. To make it seem like a true camping scene, we love the Adirondack chairs that contribute to the rustic feel while adding a splash of color.

02 of 21

Combine Purpose

outdoor living room with bar and sectional seating — Melissa Roberts Interiors

Maximize the space of your hardscape by creating an outdoor living room you can both dine in and lounge. The light gray of the stone pavers creates subtle texture and elegance that contrast nicely with the dark couch. Just don't forget to hook up a tv like Melissa did in this living room that's perfect for watching fall football games or your favorite movie.

03 of 21

Enhance Summer Blues

covered back porch with blue and white cushions — MARTA XOCHILT PEREZ; STYLING: PAGE MULLINS

This brick fireplace is an instant eye-catcher for a backyard hardscape design that's full of comfort, texture, and warmth. To soften the design and add subtle contrast, accentuate the area with baby blue cushions or pillows on your patio furniture.

04 of 21

Renovate a Deck

Decks are a long-time favorite for hardscape purposes, but you can do more for the space than laying down basic lumber planks. Spruce up your deck by switching to a composite material (that's maintenance free, by the way) for a nicer appearance, or add onto your existing deck to create more space to play. If you really feel like fancying up the deck, wrap your railings in string lights and place a few potted plants in the corners for a more lively decor.

05 of 21

Make a Homey Splash

Charming pool house with backyard pool — David Cannon

No hardscape list would be complete with the mention of a pool. Below ground pools are an easy way to make your backyard seem more luxurious and entertaining if you have the budget and space. For yards with plenty of room to play, consider adding in an in-law suit or pool house to complete the design.

06 of 21

Full Outdoor Dining

full outdoor kitchen with grill and bar area — LAUREY W. GLENN

The hardscape design take backyard meals to the next level by having the grill built into the countertops that extend in an L-shape to a semi-open bar. The stacked stone underneath the granite countertops adds texture and dimension to the space while the bar adds seating in smartly instead of having to place a table in the center of a deck to keep the area open.

07 of 21

Bring the PGA to You

outdoor mini golf course — Melissa Roberts Interiors

We love this playful hardscape concept by Melissa Roberts Interiors that's perfect for golf lovers. Artificial turf is much easier to maintain that real grass other than ensuring it stays in pristine condition after inclement weather and consistent wear and tear.

08 of 21

Build-In Your Seating

Backyard seating around firepit — Willow Gates Landscaping

Fire pits are one of our favorite additions to any hardscape design. They're comforting, inviting, and elevating with its ambiance. This concept from Willow Gates Landscaping is genius by creating a separate tier off pavers with natural stone that increases texture and durability before building in wooden seating around a stone fire pit.

09 of 21

Transform Greenhouse Sitting

white charming greenhouse — Simply Southern Cottage

How adorable in this charming greenhouse-turned-private dining center? If you're a not-so-garden-thumb but love the thought of having a place outdoors for dining and seating, using a greenhouse is a great way to provide charming shade on sunny days. Hang up greenery garland or your favorite faux flower wreath for simple decor like Sara did here.

10 of 21

Create a Courtyard

backyard stone courtyard — RALPH LEE ANDERSON

This hardscape design is all about highlight the natural beauty of the environment of the overhead trees and surrounding raised garden beds. Create an expansive courtyard with warm pavers that lead up into a matching fireplace before centering the area with an outdoor dining set.

11 of 21

Install a Fountain

backyard with pond and fountain — Getty Images

Add instant eye appeal to your hardscape design with a small pond that includes a fountain. Water is one of the best inclusions to have in a hardscape plan for its soothing sound that also improves the air quality by releasing negative ions in the air that decreases pollutants.

12 of 21

Pave the Way

Pavers are incredibly versatile to use in nearly any hardscape design, including poolside borders. Not only do pavers come in a variety of materials, shapes, and colors, you can play around with the design placement by spacing them out like the picture above for visual interest. They're also resistant to hard impacts so they're not susceptible to cracks and fading.

13 of 21

Design a Home While At Home

If you're a fan of the mountains, then you'll love this hardscape idea. Turn your backyard into your favorite getaway by using a combination of stone, wood, and water to create this picture-perfect scene that highlights nature and instills ambiance with the running water and crackle of fire from the fire pit.

14 of 21

Elevate Your Pool

outdoor pool with stone waterfall — Willow Gates Landscaping

Once you put a below ground pool in your backyard, the design work doesn't have to stop there. Place rocks and a transitioning waterfall along the edge to up the drama and elegance that you can take to the next level with integrated lights.

15 of 21

Decorate a Pergola

Pergolas are great additions to any backyard hardscape since they add visual interest and shade to a sitting area. Plus, their columns and overhead beams provide the perfect surface to wrap vining plants around for a scene that's true to its surrounding environment.

16 of 21

Entrance the Side

Do you have an awkward side you're figuring out how to design? Consider lining the walkway with pebbles that lead to a small sitting area at the end or entrances into the house. Sometimes hardscape is all in the details and how you transform the space rather than the materials that are used.

17 of 21

Sit Amongst the Trees

garden stone and fireplace with chairs — PHOTOGRAPHY RALPH ANDERSON / STYLING ROSE NGUYEN

Add extra enchantment to your garden by placing a concrete fireplace along the fence with stone pavers. Not only does it make the space feel warm and inviting, the materials are also easy to clean. "Concrete and stamped concrete you can just pressure wash at least once a year since they're easy to maintain," says Carpenter.

18 of 21

Edge Your Flowerbed

lively backyard with stone edging — Carpenter Landscaping and Hardscapes

Spruce up your flower bed by edging with large rocks or stone. This material adds beautiful contrast to the color from flowers and greenery while also providing a strong border that keeps you small garden weed-free.

19 of 21

Place Seating in the Garden

backyard garden dining — LAUREY W. GLENN / STYLING: LESLIE BYARS SIMPSON

Is your garden your favorite hang out spot? Make it your favorite dining or entertaining spot by adding brick pavers in the center and a dining table bordered by your hard-earned blooms. We can't think of any other intimate setting than a beautiful candlelit dinner surrounded with stunning flowers.

20 of 21

Install Serenity

light concrete back patio pavers with waterfall scene — Carpenter Landscaping and Hardscapes

If your backyard is too small for a pool but you're drying to add water, consider installing a mini waterfall and pond like this one here. "We like a nice patio beside a nice water feature that makes the area very relaxing," Carpenter says. With this idea, you'll still get the tranquil sound of running water without taking up too much of your yard that looks ultra luxurious when combined with light gray pavers.

21 of 21

Get Creative With Pebble Design

playful backyard pavers with pebble design — Willow Gates Landscaping

When laying down pavers in your backyard, get playful with the design by adding whimsy with pebbles. In this design from Willow Gates Landscaping, landscaper Jeremy Martin created a contrasting spiral out of dark and light pebbles before connecting to the larger, flatter stone pavers.

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