By When people drive by your house, the first thing they’ll see is your yard. You might have excellent interior decor, but none of that matters if the lawn looks dilapidated since it only takes about seven seconds to make a first impression.
While in the process of improving your landscaping, you’re bound to come across two terms: hardscape vs. landscape. Many aren’t familiar with the term hardscape, and many who’ve heard of it don’t understand what it really means. Whatever the case, you need to understand how to implement them both before you pay for professional landscaping.
Keep reading as we give you the rundown of these two methods of yard design and arrangement.
Hardscape Vs. Landscape: What Is Landscaping?
Landscaping is the art of using natural elements to create an esthetically pleasing space. Landscaping elements include (but aren’t limited to) the following:
- Plants, from bushes to trees and flowerbeds
- Hillocks and knolls
- Natural barriers like hedgerows
- Sod and grass
- Rocks and boulders
Landscaping services will try to make your home look wonderful with anything Mother Nature can provide. Of course, these things aren’t arranged in the same order that you might find in nature. But they may use native plants that are potted and trimmed to look appealing to the eye.
Landscaping requires long-term attention and care. If you go for a yard that uses minimal hardscaping elements, then it may require frequent visits from landscaping services.
What Is Hardscaping?
Hardscaping is the opposite, using man-made elements to design your yard. Hardscaping elements include the following:
- Low walls, fences, and tree mesh guards
- False rock cliff faces and gravel beds
- Walkways and patios
- Firepits and sitting areas
- False streams, waterfalls, and fountains
- Functional spaces like outdoor kitchens and game areas
Hardscaping focuses more on architectural elements that complement an existing landscape. In most cases, hardscaping won’t be the central focus of your yard. These are unobtrusive boundaries and decorations that go well with your home’s existing color palette.
Hardscaping services are much broader than your traditional landscaping company. These may be DIY projects such as installing an outdoor grille or building retaining walls to support a nearby fence. Overall hardscaping requires less maintenance in the long run.
Tips for Hardscaping Vs. Landscaping
Like with all things, you need a balance. Before you dive into a new landscaping project, consider the following:
- Whether your hardscaping matches the homes exterior and design philosophy
- Whether your hardscaping serves a purpose beyond just looking nice
- How your hardscaping affects things like drainage or access in and around your yard
- If the construction leads to problems like erosion
- If you’re using too much hardscaping, taking away the emphasis from the greenery and making your yard feel uninviting
Get Your Landscaping and Hardscaping with Wyscape
Hardscape vs. landscape isn’t all that difficult to understand. Landscape involves all-natural elements such as bushes and flowers. Hardscaping includes all non-natural human elements and complements existing landscaping.
Not sure how to get the right balance between the two? Wyscape can help. Contact us today for a quote and we’ll make sure your yard makes a lasting impression.