Tag: landscaping ideas

Categories
Decks

Maximizing Small Spaces: Innovative Deck and Landscaping Ideas for Compact Yards

Innovative Deck and Landscaping Ideas for Compact Yards

Are you tired of feeling confined by your small outdoor space, yearning for a lush oasis but unsure where to begin? Do you gaze longingly at sprawling yards, wishing you could enjoy the same luxury of space and freedom? Fear not, for in the world of landscaping, size matters not! Small yards hold immense potential for creativity and transformation, offering a canvas ripe for innovation and ingenuity. Welcome to a world where limitations are merely opportunities in disguise, and every square inch holds the promise of untapped beauty. 

In this blog post, we embark on a journey of discovery, exploring seven innovative deck and landscaping ideas tailored specifically for compact yards. Get ready to unlock the full potential of your outdoor space as we delve into the realm of maximizing small spaces, where imagination knows no bounds and every corner holds the promise of transformation. 

7 Innovative Deck and Landscaping Ideas for Compact Yards

The following seven deck and landscaping ideas will help you make your living space more attractive and cozy:

Idea #1: Vertical Gardens

In small yards, space is a premium commodity, making vertical gardens a game-changer. Embrace the vertical dimension by installing wall-mounted planters, trellises, or living walls. These green installations not only add a pop of color and texture but also maximize planting area without encroaching on precious ground space. Consider incorporating a variety of trailing vines, compact herbs, and colorful blooms to create a lush, vibrant tapestry against your walls. With vertical gardens, you can transform plain walls into living, breathing canvases, infusing your outdoor space with life and personality.

Idea #2: Multi-Level Decking

When square footage is limited, think upwards! Opt for multi-level decking to capitalize on vertical space while creating distinct zones for lounging, dining, and entertaining. By layering your deck, you can seamlessly transition between different activities while maintaining a visually appealing layout. Integrate built-in seating, planters, or even a cozy fire pit to enhance functionality and ambiance. Choose durable, low-maintenance materials to ensure longevity and ease of upkeep. Multi-level decking not only maximizes space but also adds architectural interest and dimension to your outdoor oasis, transforming it into a multi-functional retreat that caters to all your leisure needs.

Idea #3: Compact Furniture Solutions

Scale down your outdoor furniture to suit the proportions of your small yard. Look for sleek, space-saving designs that offer functionality without overwhelming the space. Foldable chairs, nesting tables, and modular seating arrangements are excellent options for maximizing flexibility and versatility. Additionally, consider incorporating built-in benches or storage solutions to optimize seating while minimizing clutter. With compact furniture solutions, you can create comfortable, inviting outdoor spaces that are perfect for relaxing alone or entertaining guests, without sacrificing style or functionality.

Idea #4: Pergolas and Arbors

Introduce architectural interest and define outdoor living areas with pergolas and arbors. These structures not only provide shade and privacy but also serve as focal points in compact yards. Customize your pergola with retractable canopies, hanging plants, or string lights to create a cozy, intimate atmosphere. For a touch of romance, train climbing vines such as jasmine or wisteria to cascade over the framework, infusing your outdoor space with fragrance and charm. Pergolas and arbors add a touch of elegance and sophistication to small yards, transforming them into inviting retreats that beckon you to unwind and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.

Idea #5: Container Gardening

Harness the power of container gardening to cultivate a lush oasis in even the smallest of spaces. Utilize a variety of pots, planters, and hanging baskets to showcase your favorite plants, herbs, and flowers. Mix and match different heights, textures, and colors to create visual interest and dimension. Experiment with vertical planters, window boxes, and railing-mounted containers to maximize planting area while adding personality to your deck or patio. Container gardening offers endless possibilities for creativity and customization, allowing you to design unique, eye-catching displays that reflect your style and preferences.

Idea #6: Artificial Turf

Say goodbye to mowing and maintenance woes with artificial turf, the ultimate solution for small yards. Transform dull patches of concrete or uneven terrain into a vibrant, green oasis that requires minimal upkeep. Synthetic grass not only looks and feels like the real thing but also provides a soft, comfortable surface for lounging and playing. Pair it with strategically placed potted plants and decorative accents to create a low-maintenance, high-impact outdoor retreat. Artificial turf offers a hassle-free alternative to traditional lawns, allowing you to enjoy a lush, green landscape year-round, regardless of weather or climate conditions.

Idea #7: Space-Saving Storage

Keep clutter at bay and make the most of your small yard with clever storage solutions. Invest in dual-purpose furniture with built-in storage compartments, such as benches or coffee tables. Hang hooks, shelves, or pegboards on walls or fences to organize gardening tools, accessories, and outdoor decor. By maximizing vertical storage and optimizing unused nooks and crannies, you can maintain a tidy, functional outdoor space that feels larger than life. Space-saving storage solutions help you maximize every inch of your small yard, ensuring that everything has its place and allowing you to enjoy a clutter-free outdoor oasis that’s both stylish and practical.

In conclusion, maximizing small outdoor spaces requires a combination of ingenuity, strategic planning, and creative execution. By implementing these seven innovative deck and landscaping ideas, you can transform your compact yard into a stylish, functional oasis that defies its limited dimensions. Whether you’re dreaming of lush greenery, cozy seating areas, or versatile entertaining spaces, there’s a solution tailored to your unique needs. For professional assistance in bringing your vision to life, consider reaching out to experienced fence installers in Calgary or Calgary landscaping experts who can provide expert guidance and personalized solutions for your outdoor oasis. With the right approach, even the smallest of yards can become a breathtaking retreat that you’ll enjoy for years to come.

Categories
Landscaping Calgary

5 Perfect Paving Stones Design Trends For Your Backyard Patios!

Backyard patios add life to our homes. It is the venue for our family gatherings or sometimes just to chill out with a cup of tea and a good book. And thus everybody of us feels like decorating them in the best possible way. So, here we are with the latest paving stones trends for your background patios.

So, let’s start!

5 Paving Stones Design Trends Perfect For Your Backyard Patio

#1: Large Format Pavers

Large Format Pavers are gaining traction these days. Though they are not as popular as their smaller cousins, they are still becoming popular nowadays.

Paving is, no doubt, durable but not all like the small size of the pavers. Some have a different taste with the aesthetics and may like the look large stones give. And if you can resonate with this idea, large format pavers are for you.

paver walkwayLarge paving stones come in a range of materials. From granite to travertine to concrete and whatnot. And not only this, they offer a variety in their range of colours and finishes as well. Thus, trust us, if you want large format pavers, there is no shortage of options to choose from.

They are not only great with aesthetics; they also have many benefits too. First of all, they demand lesser maintenance. Why? Because paving stones combine through polymeric sand between the joints. Thus, unlike concrete slabs, if these pavers crack, they can be spot repaired, which is very hassle-free.

The next benefit explores the aesthetic side of these pavers. With fewer joints, these large pavers seem less ‘busy.’ On the other hand, smaller pavers, although beautiful, attract attention. They do tend to blur other elements like the furniture from the view. Larger pavers are a more subtle art, and try to balance the attention on all aspects of your patio.

With all this in mind, Large format paving stones are a smart choice.

#2: Wood Style Pavers

Wood Style pavers give your patio a rustic, earthy look. They are sure to make your patio cozy and a great place for the parties and gatherings under the starry night. Be it the fireplace or the flooring, wood-style pavers can render a beautiful backyard.

But with wood pavers comes the maintenance issues. But do you know that wood imitation pavers are readily available, which require less or no maintenance? Great, isn’t it?

These wood imitation pavers are usually made up of concrete. Concrete is any day, a much more durable material than wood. It is not sensitive to rotting, mould, and pests, etc. Also, concrete pavers have a lifespan of a minimum of 25 to 30 years, which is almost double the wood’s lifespan. And to top it off, they cost a third of what the wood will cost.

With the advent of retaining walls, wood-style pavers can also be used for walls. Overall, wood-style pavers look elegant and give your outdoors the wild feel that is so inviting and timeless.

Go for wood style pavers if you love that earthy feel in your backyard. Rest assured, your friends and family will also love it. Wood pavers are always a success with almost everybody.

#3: Borders and Inset Borders

Borders or inset borders highlight your backyard’s prominent features like the fireplace, the dining area, etc. They bring that little variation that makes all the difference. Without them, a patio can look monotonous, especially big ones with little vegetation.

To avoid an industrial feel, try to opt for some earthy tones. They will give a more welcoming and cozy feel to your backyard.

The choice of colour and the thickness of the paving stones used as borders is up to you. Edges, both thin and thick, look good. It all depends on how well you compile the elements. After the thickness comes the choice of colour. While choosing the colour, the biggest dilemma is to go for contrast or balance. Both of them produce beautiful results, and in the end, it’s all about your personal choice.

For example, one of your choices can be a burgundy red border on a sandstone colour palate. While on the other hand, you can go for black granite with similar dark colour granite paving stones. Both look gorgeous, just that you have to pick your ideal one from them.

#4: Patterns:

Patterns have been in trend for a while, and they aren’t going anywhere soon. They let you play with your creativity as the options are truly endless. From classic to modern, you are spoilt for choices. Play with colours, sizes, textures, materials, and arrive at what you feel is best for you. Thus here we are with a step-by-step process to help you reach your ideal pattern.

1.     Select the shape of the paving stones

The first step to a great pattern is the paver shape. There are many designs, like the herringbone pattern, that usually have rectangles arranged in various forms. Then there are stack or running bond pattern. These are the classic brick pattern with their own old-world charm. And lastly, there are the block patterns, which give good interlocking needed for vehicular movement.

You can go for any of these. But make sure that the basic paver is the same size in your design.

2.     Choose the scale of the pattern

The same design can be used with larger stones as well as smaller stones.

The scale of the pavers depends mainly on two aspects. First is the size of the area, and second the application. If your patio is big, you can use both smaller and larger paving stones, and if smaller, then small will look good. And secondly, application means whether you want to pave a patio or a driveway. Because vehicular movement demands more interlocking and smaller stones, so, decide accordingly.

3.     Pick colours, borders, and textures

The last step in designing your pattern is choosing the textures and colours. They make a lot of difference in how the whole pattern will look like finally. And what’s more, you can combine various materials as well.

For more extensive patios, as we have already said, borders play a pivotal role. They don’t let the floor look monotonous but make it interesting. Thus, lastly, you can also embed borders in your pattern. Trust us; it looks great.

Furthermore, as we know, paving can be done in the retaining walls as well. Thus, the scope of using paving stone patterns in your backyard increases. Now, you can not only use them horizontally but arrange them vertically as well. Thus, you now have one more variable to increase the possible options available to you.

#5: Banding:

Banding is a smart move when you are deciding how to pave your floor. But first, let us explain banding for those who might find this a new term. As the name says, banding is when you incorporate ‘ribbons’ of pavers between a paver pattern or any other paver setting. Banding can be used on floors as well as vertical features such as retaining walls.

The utility of banding is very similar to that of borders. It makes a large expanse of patio look cozier and non-monotonous. Otherwise, big backyards that too with little vegetation can look a bit boring.

Borders and banding are often used together. And if it is the same way for you too, choose a similar or the same colour for bands as you have picked for the borders. This choice will give consistency to the whole setting. And a pro tip can be, how to choose the colour for the jointing sand? Designers prefer to use a colour that complements or contrasts the house’s exterior finishes for the jointing sand.

Another popular trend in paving stones is laying them as ‘rugs.’ Confused? In this technique, a different tone of the paver colour is used and laid in a big rectangle or any other elaborate design. This setting gives the impression of a rug. You can place your dining table over this ‘rug’ or leave it as a patio’s focal point.

An example can be using a black granite rug on a white travertine patio. This rug system breaks the monotonous and indeed gives it a charm of its own.

Conclusion

Paving stones are available in so many textures, colours, materials, and sizes that there are endless options for you to opt from. So, research well and then only arrive at a conclusion. And for those who would like professional help, feel free to contact Project Landscape. We are a company based and operating in Calgary. Thus, our solutions are custom-designed for Calgary’s weather.

So, this was all in our guide about the top 5 trends in paving stones. We hope you liked the article and that it was informative. And now it’s your turn. Do mention which of these trends did you like the most in the comments box below. We will love to hear from you.

Categories
Landscaping Calgary

Check Out 4 Breakthrough Landscaping Ideas To Sell Your Home!

landscape ideas calgaryAre you considering putting your Calgary house for sale? Then indeed you must have thought about renovating the kitchen and bathrooms etc. But do you know landscaping can increase not only the curb appeal of your house but also increase the return on investment by 15-25%? Crazy, isn’t it? We have been landscaping Calgary for the last two decades. Thus here we are with four breakthrough landscaping ideas that will help you sell your home quickly and at a good price.

So, let’s start!

Four Great Landscaping Ideas To Sell Your Home!

#1: Patio and Walkways

Patio and walkways both give a finish to your house. While walkways enhance the curb appeal, the patio enhances the utility of the house.

A beautiful well-landscaped patio increases your investment return by 10-20%. Thus updating and upgrading your patio is a must-do if you plan to sell your house anytime soon.

A patio adds living space to your house and often serves as the dining room for you and your family. It gives your backyard a structure and plays a key role in beautifying it.

Patios are nowadays being preferred more than wooden decks. The reason? Easy, patios last longer and are low maintenance. Wood is prone to rot and thus has a limited short lifespan. On the other hand, patios are usually made of concrete or paving stones; both are durable and low maintenance. Although a new entry in the market, the composite wood is stealing the show from all other options. This composite wood looks like wood and is not prone to rotting.

Walkways and driveways are essential curb-appeal elements. The curb appeal of your house attracts any passerby or anybody looking up the photographs of your property. It is the first impression, and if that clicks, you have a higher chance of selling your property quickly.

An excellent way of making your patio and walkways attractive is by using paving stones. As already said, they are durable, low maintenance, and beautiful. What else do you need? Paving stones come in the form of large format pavers, wood-alike pavers, natural stone pavers, etc. You have endless options for creating patterns through them and decorate your patio and walkways.

For those of us who want eco-friendly solutions, pavers offer an additional advantage. They are eco-friendly and let the rainwater seep into the earth. Otherwise, this water would run into storm drains.

#2: Fire Features

Fire features like a fireplace or a firepit are valuable additions to any house. Unlike other home décor investments, including fire features,provide a great return on investment. Plus, the ambiance and coziness it yields to the place are unbeatable.

Whatever be the purpose, a gathering, family’s night outside, or date under the starry sky, a fireplace sets the perfect mood for it. Let’s see the benefits of a fireplace or a fire pit:

1.     Increased Property Price:

First of all, since you are planning to sell off your home, an increased property price is an essential factor. Any buyer interested in having some gala nights beside the fire will surely be interested in these fire features. Thus, a cozy and beautiful fireplace can help crack the deal and that too at a better price.

2.     Provides Warmth And Comfort:

Now for the most obvious factor. Fire features provide warmth and help you host parties in the open much earlier in the year. So, all those who love spending their winter nights with a sweater, fire, and roasted marshmallows will find this feature alluring.

3.     Uplifts The Aesthetics:

Whether you kindle fire or not, a fireplace or a fire pit looks stunning with all the stonework done. It can make an otherwise dull yard look more attractive. Compliment it with suitable seating arrangements and a coffee table, and you are good to go.

4.     Great for gatherings and date nights:

A fireplace or a fire pit livens the atmosphere and makes a perfect setting for jolly gatherings and romantic dates.

5.     Outdoor Cooking:

The last reason you should incorporate the fire feature is that you can use it for cooking. You need not be a star chef to cook on the fire. It instantly takes you to the nostalgic bonfire memories. You can do anything from roasting marshmallows to grilling dinner.

Thus, with so many benefits, you can rest assured that fire features will improve the chances of a sale and increase investment return.

#3: Landscape Lighting

The play of lights and shadow in your garden is mysterious as well as fascinating. It makes your nighttime strolls a thing to look forward to.

Calgary landscaping is never complete without some good landscape lighting. Indeed well lit outdoors has many benefits. First of all, it increases the curb appeal of your house. Secondly, it makes your home way more secure. And thirdly, it increases your property value because of the previous two reasons. Let’s see these benefits in a bit more detail:

  1. You can extend your living space from inside to outside. Your garden or backyard is the perfect place to chill after a tough day at work. If perfectly lit, your patio or garden can be your family time, friends time, or spouse time—whatever you wish it to be.
  2. Landscape lighting can help highlight your landscaping features. It can light up the walkway, mark property lines, highlight water features and beautiful trees. You can also light up your garden bed. Lighting up the staircase becomes a necessity, and the list goes on.
  3. Outdoor lighting can highlight the striking architectural features of your house. This way, lighting can further increase your curb appeal.
  4. Lighting in and around the house will make sure people do not fall or trip on your property. This precaution will reduce the risk of people suing you for injuries. For example, uneven places and stairs must be well lit.
  5. Lastly, since the house is well lit, the possibility of a crime occurring on the scene also reduces.

Outdoor nighttime parties are no fun without proper lighting. Thus, being a Calgary landscaping company, we advise that a decent amount of lighting is a must-have in your home. So, here are a few steps to consider while planning your landscape lighting:

Step 1: Identify which areas to highlight

The first step is to identify which aesthetics and textures will look good in a certain light type. Also, ask yourself which part of the house needs security lighting. Think which features to highlight? Or which parts of the house would you need after dark? Such questions will render you with a list of places you want the lighting on.

Step 2: Install a central control lighting system

Though you can use both unified or independent lighting controls, unified is always a better option as it is easy to operate and scale-up.

Another tip you can use is the use of LED lights. Nowadays, they are available in all hues and intensities. We suggest them as they are cost-effective, low maintenance, and last long.

#4: Planting

Calgary landscaping is all about beautiful and strategic planting. But do you know that proper planting can increase your home’s value from anywhere between 5-20%? The more mature the landscape is, the more is the value increment.

Planting trees in the south and west sides of your house can help lower the temperatures by many degrees in your attic. And these low home temperatures can result in savings on power bills. Place them strategically so that they will even look good and well placed.

But there is a greenery alert too. Too much effort in planting may result in a very high maintenance lawn. This part may not go well with many buyers. So, try to keep the property a bit low maintenance. Use drought-tolerant and native plants. Both of these are easy to maintain and come cheap too.

Also, start putting in fertilizers and caring for the lawn by mowing and raking from springtime. About a year of caretaking will yield a garden that your neighbours will be jealous of. It can also give you better returns because of the increased curb appeal.

Lastly, a good tip would be to take the photographs of your property during summertime. The lawn looks pretty during this time, and it can be used to convert impressed clients.

Conclusion

So, this was all about Calgary landscaping tips that will help you sell off your house at a good price. Landscape features like paving the patios and walkways, building fire features, outdoor lighting, and planting are all long term investments. They increase the value of your house as the time goes by.

We hope you liked the article and that it was informative. If you have any doubt about anything related to landscaping, drop it in the comments below. And if you would like us to help you out with your landscaping, contact us for a free consultation. Calgary landscaping is our forte, and we have been making visions come true for more than two decades.