Want to learn how to transform your outdoor space into a jaw-dropping haven? Keep reading. It all comes down to hardscaping.
Hardscaping is revolutionizing contemporary landscape design. Homeowners are no longer content with basic lawn and flower beds. The modern outdoor space is expected to be functional, attractive, low-maintenance, and usable in any season.
Well, if you’re one of those homeowners that just wants an average-looking backyard, then modern landscaping probably isn’t for you. Most homebuyers are seeking that modern appeal and boost in home value that only a comprehensive contemporary landscape design can provide.
The landscaping in Raleigh and beyond are bringing in these modern landscape design trends left and right!
If you pay attention to recent industry stats, as much as 18% of homeowners will get a new landscaping or hardscaping project done in 2024. That is a lot of people that are willing to either invest their money into their outdoor space or make it better. Hardscaping is paving the way for making these types of investments.
The contents of this page:
- What Is Hardscaping and Why It Matters
- The Modern Hardscaping Revolution
- The Best Hardscaping Trends and Features to Add to Your Modern Design
- Balancing Natural and Hardscaping Features in Your Design
- The Value Proposition of Hardscaping
- Wrapping It Up
What Is Hardscaping and Why It Matters
When it comes to landscaping, or any design outside of your home for that matter, hardscaping is all the things that are not growing. Hardscaping may be defined by patios, walkways, retaining walls, fire pits, and outdoor kitchens. These are all elements that set the scene for your entire landscape design project.
The important thing is that modern landscaping requires you to integrate these hardscaping elements to achieve that more professional, contemporary design.
Hardscaping is a crucial part of modern landscape design. Hardscaping elements provide structure and definition to your landscape when plants die back or become dormant in winter months. Hardscaping also creates designated spaces for various activities and can drastically reduce the time you spend on long-term maintenance.
It also creates instant functionality that you can use, no matter the season.
The Modern Hardscaping Revolution
The landscape design industry has seen massive growth with 9.6% annual growth over the past three years and an overall market expansion to $7.7 billion in 2024. The growth is only expected to continue with many homeowners investing in hardscaping elements to boost curb appeal and add value.
So what is the cause of this hardscaping revolution? The answer is simple: modern hardscaping trends are all about creating multi-functional outdoor spaces that extend the living area of the home.
Homeowners want outdoor kitchens, fire pits, integrated seating, and entertainment spaces that can be enjoyed year-round. Hardscaping is the backbone that makes this functionality possible in any season.
The modern trend is clean lines, neutral colors, and sophisticated materials. Natural stone, concrete pavers, and composite materials are replacing traditional brick or concrete applications. These modern hardscaping materials offer improved durability, design flexibility, and aesthetic appeal.
One major trend in modern hardscaping is sustainable materials and permeable surfaces. Landscape design services are offering more environmentally conscious products. Permeable pavers, for example, offer attractive walkways while allowing water to pass through and be absorbed into the soil below.
The Best Hardscaping Trends and Features to Add to Your Modern Design
Outdoor Living Rooms
Outdoor living rooms are one of the most transformational trends in modern landscape design. Complete with built-in seating, fire features, and defined entertainment areas, these outdoor living rooms are designed to replicate the comfort level of indoor living spaces.
The hardscaping elements set the stage with custom patio designs, built-in planters, and strategic level changes to clearly define different activity zones.
Multi-Level Patio Systems
The modern trend favors creating elevation changes within the landscape to add visual interest and functional separation of spaces.
Multi-level patio designs use retaining walls, steps, and terracing to increase usable area while creating defined spaces for dining, lounging, and entertaining. These systems are particularly popular on sloped lots where the modern landscape design incorporates the natural topography.
Water Features
Water features have advanced beyond traditional fountains or ponds. Modern hardscaping is incorporating water elements into the design of patios, walls, and seating areas.
Contemporary water features may include infinity edges, built-in spillways, or water walls as both art and functional elements.
Sustainable Hardscaping
Sustainability is a key consideration in contemporary design. Homeowners and landscape design services are selecting eco-friendly and permeable materials that manage stormwater without sacrificing beauty. High-quality materials and installation techniques ensure the hardscaping will last for decades with little to no maintenance.
Balancing Natural and Hardscaping Features in Your Design
The most successful modern landscape design weaves hardscaping together with natural elements. This is the secret that every professional landscape design will tell you is key to getting the wow factor. Combining hardscaping and natural elements to create a truly integrated, beautiful landscape is truly a team effort.
Natural Transitions
Successful hardscaping integration means creating natural transitions between hardscaping and planted areas. Modern design employs planted joints between pavers or integrated planters within the hardscape. Material selections that complement the natural surroundings are also common.
For example, natural stone hardscaping pairs beautifully with native plantings, while modern concrete hardscaping can be paired with architectural plants.
Seasonal Interest
Smart hardscaping is planned for year-round appeal. While planted beds and shrubs can provide seasonal color and texture, hardscaping ensures the space is still visually interesting and usable throughout the year.
Modern design often incorporates evergreen plantings or hardscaping features that provide structure during dormant seasons.
Scale and Proportion
Getting the right size and scale relationships between hardscaping and natural elements is critical to successful design. The “golden ratio” and other design principles are commonly used to ensure everything is proportionate and that hardscaping and softscaping elements work together to create a harmonious space.
The Value Proposition of Hardscaping
Return on Investment
Hardscaping provides a solid return on investment. Quality hardscaping can boost property values by 15-20%, with some high-end installations providing even higher ROI.
The key is in strategic planning. Randomly placed hardscaping elements rarely add value, but comprehensive outdoor living spaces that extend the home’s functionality will have the highest ROI.
Long-Term Value
Unlike softscaping (plants and living elements) that require ongoing replacement and maintenance, hardscaping elements can last decades with minimal upkeep. Hardscaping is truly an investment in the property.
The modern materials such as natural stone and high-quality concrete pavers actually gain character and patina over time, which adds to their appearance rather than detracting from it.
Maintenance Savings
Properly designed hardscaping elements also reduce the long-term costs associated with landscape maintenance. Hardscaped areas don’t need watering, fertilizing, or regular replacement like planted areas do.
For busy homeowners, this can result in significant ongoing cost savings while still ensuring the outdoor area always looks well-maintained.
Wrapping It Up
The evolution of contemporary landscape design has moved far beyond traditional design and has modern hardscaping at the core. Modern hardscaping provides structure, reduces maintenance, and significantly increases property value while integrating seamlessly with natural elements to create functional outdoor spaces.
The landscape design industry has experienced explosive growth and this is largely due to the fact that homeowners are willing to invest as much in their outdoor spaces as they are in their indoor living areas. Quality hardscaping provides a foundation for outdoor spaces that homeowners will enjoy for decades to come.
By understanding modern hardscaping principles and working with quality landscape design services, homeowners can create landscape designs that offer incredible value both functionally and financially. Proper strategic planning will create the perfect balance of hardscaping function and natural beauty to achieve a cohesive, modern outdoor environment.
