When dealing with landscaping projects, it can be easy to fall into the trap that the job is all about picking plants and creating green spaces. Masonry, however, can give any outdoor area an added appeal, and it can also frequently serve a practical purpose. Take a look at these four ideas for how your yard might look better with some masonry features or accents.
Garden Beds
From providing edging on ground-level beds to being the basis for raised ones, bricks, blocks, and stones can give a garden a better appearance. If you're looking to zone certain plants into specific areas, masonry also can act as a barrier, limiting growth. You also can use the zone you've set out to create a unique growing area, such as one that has to be amended to unique pH levels for desired plants to thrive.
Retaining Walls
Especially in areas with hillsides that are shifting, retaining walls can go a long way toward imposing order in a landscape. If you don't want to see loose soil slowly finding its way down the hill, particularly if you have a house below it, a masonry services provider can assess your needs and engineer a solution. Retaining walls can do a lot to give a location some rustic appeal, too.
Masonry works also can replace fencing. A boundary wall, for example, can make the edge of your property look prettier and more natural.
Walkways
Rather than pouring a boring slab of gray-white concrete as a sidewalk, masonry can be utilized to give your walkways a little more visual pop. For those who demand structure, brick walkways will look amazing and orderly. Stone pavers are appealing options for folks who want something more naturalistic, and they can even be staggered with gaps of grass between them for a highly rural appearance. You also can add steps, an excellent choice if you have a hill on your property and are worried about slipping hazards.
Outdoor Living Spaces
Patios, decks, and outdoor kitchens can help you get more enjoyment out of your property. If you want to create something that blends in with the surrounding landscape, natural stones are a superb choice. Folks who live in colder environments may even ask their masonry contractor to assist them with building firepits or stoves, which will allow them to continue enjoying outdoor life in comfort well into the fall and winter.