Building Components
How Do I... Incorporate Hardscaping Into My Yard?
Discover four smart ways to incorporate hardscaping into your outdoor space, according to an expert
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning home and design questions. Here, Brett Ward, general manager of international marketing at Brickworks Building Products, reveals the four simple hardscaping additions you can make to transform the look of your backyard and boost its functionality.
- For pavers around a pool, it’s crucial to choose ones that can withstand exposure to salt, chlorine and other chemicals. They should also be durable and non-slip.
- My top paver pick is UrbanStone’s Keope porcelain tiles, which are durable, high-performance outdoor tiles that look incredible in landscaping applications. They’re also ideal for use around a pool.
- Traditional square or rectangular pavers are ideal for formal and contemporary gardens, and are the most practical and cost-effective option.
- Irregularly shaped pavers suit a cottage-garden look, which is best achieved through small-scale cobblestones or randomly cut pieces of large-format pavers.
- Remember, the bigger the paver, the more cuts may need to be made, which means more time and effort required.
Does your garden need some TLC? Find a landscape designer or architect near you on Houzz
2. Introduce retaining walls
Retaining walls are a great way to liven up your backyard, providing structure and a sense of depth in the space. They can also help protect your plants during weather extremes. You’ll find all manner of contemporary textures and colours available that allow you to make a bold and attractive statement in your backyard.
The clean lines of retaining walls can have a transformative effect on outdoor spaces and can be used in a variety of ways – from terraces to edging garden beds.
The possibilities are endless with retaining walls, so have a play with different heights, hardscaping materials and shapes to create your own eye-catching space.
Retaining walls are a great way to liven up your backyard, providing structure and a sense of depth in the space. They can also help protect your plants during weather extremes. You’ll find all manner of contemporary textures and colours available that allow you to make a bold and attractive statement in your backyard.
The clean lines of retaining walls can have a transformative effect on outdoor spaces and can be used in a variety of ways – from terraces to edging garden beds.
The possibilities are endless with retaining walls, so have a play with different heights, hardscaping materials and shapes to create your own eye-catching space.
- For a harmonious look, select blocks in a colour that complements the colours and textures in your garden.
- Terracing a large area at the front of your home creates a striking facade while giving you the option to level out a slope.
- Stacked retaining walls are a great way to add depth to your outdoor space, and with such a low profile, the material required will be minimal. They also provide a canvas for you to add plants and flowers on each level, so you can get creative with the design.
- Think beyond straight lines; with Austral Masonry’s Valleystone range, for example, you can create curved retaining walls with ease.
- Use retaining walls as garden edging to define garden beds.
- For a taller structure, you’ll need to seek advice from an engineer as to which block is most suitable for the application. Once you’ve worked out your structural requirements, you can then focus on style, including the laying format, colour and finish of the blocks.
- Tip: Some lightweight blocks have a mortarless interlocking system for easy installation. For example, Austral Masonry’s Arrinastone is simple to lay and, once it’s stacked, you don’t need to waterproof the back side, making it ideal for raised garden beds.
3. Bring back breeze blocks
Yep, you heard that right – breeze blocks are firmly back in fashion as a hardscaping material. And these open concrete blocks are ideal for Australian backyards, allowing cool breezes to blow into the home while boosting light and providing privacy.
Breeze blocks come in a huge array of bespoke shapes and geometric patterns, which let you create different shapes and cut-throughs for a unique look.
Browse more stunning Australian swimming pools
Yep, you heard that right – breeze blocks are firmly back in fashion as a hardscaping material. And these open concrete blocks are ideal for Australian backyards, allowing cool breezes to blow into the home while boosting light and providing privacy.
Breeze blocks come in a huge array of bespoke shapes and geometric patterns, which let you create different shapes and cut-throughs for a unique look.
Browse more stunning Australian swimming pools
- Use breeze blocks to divide a courtyard into two distinct spaces, without sacrificing light or compromising sightlines.
- Make breeze blocks the feature of a backyard. One of the latest trends is to leave breeze blocks unpainted, which allows the gritty colour and texture of the concrete to be the focus.
- Breeze blocks make excellent internal privacy screens for indoor-outdoor rooms, alfresco showers or unsightly areas you want to visually block off.
4. Build a brick barbecue
The weather’s warming up, which means one thing – it’s barbecue season. If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to invest in a good barbecue so you can cook and eat outdoors.
Rather than a freestanding style, why not incorporate yours into your hardscaping? To create a stylish brick barbie you’ll need to choose a barbecue grill set and bricks (we recommend Austral Bricks Allure range).
The weather’s warming up, which means one thing – it’s barbecue season. If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to invest in a good barbecue so you can cook and eat outdoors.
Rather than a freestanding style, why not incorporate yours into your hardscaping? To create a stylish brick barbie you’ll need to choose a barbecue grill set and bricks (we recommend Austral Bricks Allure range).
This project can usually be completed in a day or two. Not only will the barbecue come in handy over summer, it can also serve as a beautifully hardscaped centrepiece in your backyard.
Your turn
Did you find this story useful? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Eager for more on green spaces? Check out this story, The Power of Green: Urban Oases From Sydney to San Francisco
Your turn
Did you find this story useful? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Eager for more on green spaces? Check out this story, The Power of Green: Urban Oases From Sydney to San Francisco
Pavers are a great hardscaping addition to your outdoor space, whatever their size or style. They’re incredibly versatile and can be used for everything from creating walkways to framing garden beds. Plus they’re low-maintenance, reducing the number of hours you have to spend tending to your garden.