Outdoor Living Ideas Center

Ideas for getting the most out of your outdoor living space

If you’re looking for ways to use landscape materials to improve your outdoor living space, we’ve got you covered! From front yard hardscapes to modern backyard ideas, our gallery features ideas to keep you inspired and up to date with the latest trends.

Browse through the gallery below to view hardscape ideas online or visit our Hardscape Design Centers in person.

A full outdoor kitchen provides a great space for entertaining and acts as an extension of your home. Design the space with room for an outdoor sink, refrigerator, side burner or even a pizza oven. For the gourmet chef though, there’s nothing better than a double oven or full stove top. As an added bonus, build an L-shaped counter to create more room for meal prep.

Pavers

Landscape pavers add structure and style when they’re included in your hardscape design. Consider incorporating flagstone or cobblestone as patio pavers, stepping stones, driveway pavers, along walkways, in courtyards or as pool decking. The wide variety of shapes and colors makes it possible to create your ideal layout.

Outdoor Living Spaces

Whether you’re planning to entertain, relax or both, there’s nothing like dedicated seating to add to your enjoyment of the outdoors. From stone-fronted columns to natural stone pavers, use landscape materials to surround your exterior living area with hardscape landscaping that creates an outdoor atmosphere that will make you feel right at home.

Fire Pits

For an elegant upgrade to your backyard, consider adding a fire pit with multiple seating areas. Whether you select a propane, gas or wood-burning fire pit, it’s guaranteed to become the focal point of an outdoor living space. As an added bonus, add fire glass to any natural gas or propane fire features to highlight the element of fire.

Outdoor Dining

Outdoor dining creates a central entertainment space – it’s one of the easiest ways to get everyone together. Besides being practical, hardscape materials can be used to set the tone for your outdoor space as well. Larger spaces with lighter colors lend themselves to a festive atmosphere while smaller spaces create a sense of intimacy. Add landscape lighting to complete the mood and make your outdoor dining space useful in both the evening and daytime.

Play Areas

Backyards built with kids and pets in mind require a focus on safety and durability. Provide a safe area for play with artificial grass or playground mulch. Artificial turf provides the look of real blades of grass without the upkeep. Consider playground mulch for areas around swing sets or other spaces where synthetic turf may not fit. Both offer durability, all while maintaining a play area that can be enjoyed year round.

Outdoor Grills

An outdoor grill station is the envy of the neighborhood when the burner is turned on or the match is lit. Grills can be incorporated into an outdoor BBQ island or be included as part of an outdoor kitchen. A built-in grill might not provide mobility, but it makes up for it when you add outdoor cabinets with space for utensils and kitchenware.

Fireplaces

A cozy, outdoor fireplace is the perfect spot to gather with family and friends or to enjoy a crisp evening outside. A covered patio with a built-in fireplace creates a space that’s useful no matter the weather. For an extra touch, add flooring that complements the stonework of the fireplace.

Decorative Rock

Whether you’re starting a new project or upgrading an existing space, decorative rock can transform the overall appearance of outdoor landscaping. After selecting the color, select the size of hardscape rocks that will complement the design. Smaller, crushed fines can even take the place of cement, meaning driveways and walkways can get a more natural-looking upgrade too.

Water Features

Outdoor water features incorporate the soothing sounds of running water into your outdoor space, from patio fountains and backyard waterfalls to ponds with a living, breathing ecosystem for fish and frogs. The relaxing ambiance of water is a natural interface that provides stress relief and adds to your enjoyment of the outdoors.

Gardens

Compost and mulch provide increased water retention and act as a great source of nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur. Useful for flower beds, trees and shrubs, or in planter boxes and container gardens that could use a nutrient boost. Garden remodels can benefit from hardscape materials like landscape edging or fabric weed barrier, which acts as both a pest and weed deterrent.

Decorative Boulders

Large, decorative boulders add texture to outdoor landscaping and are perfect as yard accents, natural-looking retaining walls, boundary fences, or near ponds or other water features. As an added bonus, include moss rock boulders that have an earthy, mossy appearance.