Florida's Outdoor Oasis: Creating Serene Retreats

Your home is your sanctuary. Here in South Florida, crafting your home into a serene retreat isn’t just a hobby, it’s a way of life. Floridian homeowners achieve this in a number of ways, including by incorporating hardscaping into their outdoor plans. Brick and natural stone are just a few of the materials used for hardscaped driveways, patios, fire pits, retaining walls, and more.

Hardscaping can not only beautify your home and create the outdoor paradise you have always dreamed of, but it can also add more value to it. A Rocket Homes survey found that an attached outdoor living space, such as a deck or patio, can increase perceived home value for buyers by almost $20,000.

Creating an outdoor oasis backyard at home is not as daunting as you might think.

Hardscaping Offers Limitless Possibilities for Your Yard

Hardscaping, like landscaping, is not just a trade, but an art form. Adding hardscaping to your yard opens up endless possibilities for beautification and customization.

Consider how a beautiful brick or natural stone patio and a custom stone fire pit can take outdoor parties to the next level and wow your guests. Or how a brick retaining wall can provide soil stability and create additional privacy. If you are building a pool, don’t forget about its deck. A well-designed and constructed concrete or porcelain pool deck can make all the difference.

Maybe you are looking to add more curb appeal. In that case, a natural stone or brick driveway can add elegance to the look of your home and add value in the process.

Choosing Your Hardscaping Materials

When planning for your outdoor oasis and its hardscaping projects, one of the first decisions you will have to make will pertain to materials. There are various materials used in hardscaping, each having distinct properties and advantages.

Pavers

Pavers are an excellent option for hardscaping. With pavers, you can choose from a wide range of materials, including brick, stone, and porcelain. This means more opportunity for flexibility when it comes to customizing your project. Another reason for their popularity is their ease of maintenance. If one paver becomes damaged, it can easily be swapped out. Many homeowners choose pavers for their value and mid-range cost.

Natural Stone

Natural stone provides a timeless look for any hardscaping project, whether that is a driveway, patio, fire pit, pool deck, or retaining wall. Common stone types include sandstone, travertine, slate, and bluestone. While not often the cheapest option, natural stone provides an elegant look that many homeowners desire for their outdoor space.

Brick

Brick is another popular choice for hardscapes, and for good reason. It offers a classic look, is easy to maintain, and provides great value for its cost. Different brick paving patterns allow homeowners additional customization opportunities for their projects.

Create Your Own Serene Retreat in Florida

To those of us who live here, South Florida is paradise. The beach, the palm trees, the sunshine, the wildlife: there is just so much to love. With hardscaping, you can bring some of that serenity to your home.

It is always patio season in Florida! Make the most of it by exploring the endless potential of hardscaping and create your own serene retreat at home.