Before starting your hardscaping project, there are a lot of things to consider. One of the first things to think about is how large of an area you are hoping to hardscape as a grass alternative. Finding a rough estimate will help you to move forward in the planning process.
Also important is deciding what hardscaping features you most want. What appeals to you, and just as importantly, what is going to work the best for you? Think about if you need multiple walkways, and if one patio can serve all of your entertaining needs, or if you’d like to have multiple landing pads to give you and your guests plenty of options.
While planning out your hardscape project, decide how much grass, if any, you want to retain. Are you hoping to keep a large portion of your grassy lawn, or would you like to replace most of it with your new grass alternatives? Getting rid of all of your grass is an option, if you so choose. Just because your grassy lawn is gone doesn’t mean that you can’t still have plenty of lovely, green, growing things in your outdoor space.
After you do your initial planning and dreaming, it’s time to begin the serious work of deciding a budget. When deciding how much you can and want to spend, be sure to factor in the amount of money you’ll be saving in the long run by cutting out excess lawn maintenance.
A major part of figuring out your budget is deciding what materials you want to use in your hardscape. There are incredible options, from all types of natural stone, wood in various painted and aged forms, and concrete, all of which can be used in just about any hardscape project you’re looking to undertake.
Last but not least, don’t forget to consider the labor that will go into replacing grass with hardscape. Some projects will be done quickest and easiest with hired help. From removing grass to laying stone, digging paths, and pouring patios, replacing parts of your lawn with a grass alternative will go more smoothly with the help of some professionals, allowing you to use your space for entertaining as quickly as possible.
Replacing some of your lawn with hardscape can make it easier to maintain your yard while simultaneously molding your outdoor space into an area that has built-in opportunities for enjoyment and entertainment. Regain some of the time you’ve lost over the years to lawn maintenance, and help your yard work better for you with hardscape as a grass alternative.