With spring’s arrival and temperatures rising, we’ve got late nights on the patio and summer BBQs on our minds. If you’ve been dreaming all winter long about creating an oasis in your backyard, scrolling through Pinterest or Instagram for ideas, let’s dig in and find helpful ways to make that dream come true!
Today we want to tackle hardscapes – patios, grill areas, and the like – and talk about the impact they can have on your backyard, and how we approach these different landscape approaches at Green Pro. It’s important to state from the outset that every GreenPro landscape design is always balanced with a combination of hardscapes and softscapes. This means that if you want to create a paved patio off the main living area in your home (perfect for dining al fresco), your design should also include softscapes or plantings to soften the area and provide you the perfect ambiance, where guests feel welcome and at ease.
But hardscapes are the biggest commitment for homeowners, so we wanted to spend some time delving into all the options and discussing the possibilities of each. We’re experienced with them all; maybe you’ll get inspired!
Patios
The most common hardscape, patios can be a fairly quick and easy upgrade for your home and can provide instant gratification if you’re longing for an outdoor gathering space. Whether you choose to surface your hardscape with bricks, pavers, stone, cement, or wood, a simple run to Target or Walmart for outdoor furniture can provide immediate (and often inexpensive) décor. Adding a patio to your outdoor area also opens up the home to feeling larger and creating the impression of increased square footage. Looking to upgrade to a patio? Green Pro’s diligent and skilled designers and landscapers will have you wishing you had done it sooner!
Walking Paths
For the avid gardener, adding stepping stones or bricks makes the hard work of digging, planting, and designing your dream garden so much more enjoyable. Evening strolls at dusk can add a zen-like quality to your backyard that you didn’t have before! If you long to stroll through your property on a garden path, a Green Pro specialist will work with your plans and ideas to carefully craft a design that matches your hopes and dreams.
Tiered Retaining Walls
Sloped hillsides can often lead landscape designers to miss out on the ability to maximize your property’s space. Green Pro can add tiered retaining walls to your property and create space for a garden bed or perhaps a small table and chairs. You can choose from either stone or brick materials, and our design team will craft something beautiful you’ll be able to enjoy!
Fireplaces and Fire Pits
Our most often-requested install, outdoor fireplaces, or fire pits are the perfect addition to your outdoor space. Families love the warmth it creates not just outdoors but between family members. (Your children will forever remember cooking s’mores or hot dogs together.) There is a myriad of hardscape choices to choose from in terms of scale and material to create the look you’ve been wanting; fortunately, Green Pro offers it all!
Pergolas
If you’ve spent any time in Oklahoma during the summer, you know how hot it can get! As a result, pergolas are a necessity. Whether a wooden or metal frame, add sunshades and you can beat the heat and still have an enjoyable, hospitable space to relax outside in. These frames are an easy addition to your patio, and they’re a Green Pro specialty.
Outdoor Kitchen and Grills
It might seem like a large undertaking, but creating that perfect BBQ space is the ultimate backyard makeover everyone wants! No one wants to cook in a hot and stuffy kitchen during the summer; move your kitchen outdoors and let us help you design and create the perfect layout. It can sometimes feel overwhelming for homeowners to design this space, with an awful lot of decisions to be made from placement of grills to installation of gas lines, but never fear – with Green Pro by your side, you’re guaranteed to create an outdoor area that you’ll love!
We hope you’re inspired and ready to tackle the dream backyard you’ve always wanted. Don’t wait to call us! Spring is here and we’re ready – let’s roll up our sleeves together!