[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”10″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”yes” center_content=”yes” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” undefined=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_title hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” size=”1″ content_align=”center” style_type=”default”]
Outdoor Living Spaces and Hardscapes
[/fusion_title][fusion_slider hover_type=”none” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility”][fusion_slide type=”image” lightbox=”no” linktarget=”_self”]https://www.celticlandscaping.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/thumb_IMG_1977_1024.jpg[/fusion_slide][fusion_slide type=”image” lightbox=”no” linktarget=”_self”]https://www.celticlandscaping.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_2210.jpg[/fusion_slide][fusion_slide type=”image” lightbox=”no” linktarget=”_self”]https://www.celticlandscaping.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/IMG_0959.jpg[/fusion_slide][/fusion_slider][fusion_title hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” size=”1″ content_align=”center” style_type=”default”]
Functional Beauty
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Adding hardscaping to your landscape is an ideal way to expand your home’s living area outdoors.
First of all what does hardscaping mean, hardscaping is the addition of non-living materials into a landscape, with materials such as wood, stone, metal, and concrete. Hardscape features serve as compliments to your “softscaping,” which is the trees, shrubs, and flowers that provide natural beauty. Some hardscaping projects are smaller in scope and others are grand, taking significant planning and installation time. Regardless, each hardscape feature adds beauty, style and value to your landscape.
The first step to making the most of your outdoor space is to look at the space available and decide how it’s going to be used, no matter the size. Just like the interior of our homes, these outdoor spaces reflect our lifestyle, tastes and needs. The latest trends in outdoor living spaces include outdoor kitchens, entertainment centers, fireplaces and even bars.
[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_3″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_tagline_box shadow=”no” shadowopacity=”0.7″ border=”1″ highlightposition=”left” content_alignment=”left” linktarget=”_self” buttoncolor=”default” title=”Outdoors Living Space Elements” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]
- Structures like pergolas, columns, or other hardscaping elements
- Outdoor kitchen area for food preparation or grilling
- Area for outdoor dining and socializing with benches and pub chairs around an island, bar or table
- Full wiring for electric and lighting such as ground lighting, electric or gas lights
- Elements like fireplaces and fire pits to create heated zones
- Amenities like refrigerators, coolers, infrared heaters, built-in stereo systems, and mounted big-screen TVs
- Covered hot tubs and spas
[/fusion_tagline_box][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_title margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=””]
Let’s explore a few of the basics that can provide a new dimension to your yard.
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Patios- the foundation of outdoor living
Patios offer delightful places for entertaining, getting lost in the company of a good book and memorable family together time. Not only will a patio increase your outdoor living space, it also increases the value of your home.
They can serve as an extension of your home if installed close to an entry way of the house, rather than an island in the middle of your yard. Most homeowners want to enjoy some privacy with their patios and so generally situate them in the back of the house; however, some social families are now choosing to install patios in the front of their homes as a convenient gathering spot for impromptu neighborhood socials. Patios in the front allow neighbors to see when the welcome mat has been rolled out and when the grill is open for business.
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Fire Features – Fireplaces and fire pits
Fire features are one of the most popular trends in outdoor living today. They offer a warm place for friends and families to gather and create a mood for outdoor living.
Fire places are the ideal option if you plan to entertain smaller groups of people or if you are looking for a strong statement piece for your patio. Fire pits, generally the less expensive fire feature, are ideal for more casual entertaining, particularly of larger crowds.
Either feature should be easily accessible from the house and adjacent structures on the property. If you have a swimming pool or hot tub, think about placing the fire feature nearby for additional light.
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Water Features – Offering Peaceful Tranquility
Water features can offer instant calming effects. Ponds, lakes, fountains, water walls and waterfalls provide statement pieces to any landscape. Understated water features can bring small garden plots to life just as larger water features more readily compliment vast spaces. Small pails and interesting pots of water can be used to house aquatic plants or a small table top fountain can be added if you enjoy the sound of running water. For more bold statements, finish off your outdoor kitchen area with a water wall or koi pond which will undoubtedly keep children occupied while dinner is being prepared. If you are looking for ways to attract wildlife – like birds, frogs, and butterflies – to your yard, a pond may offer just the enticement they need.
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Pergolas, Arbors, and Trellises – Providing Form and Function to your Landscape
These three vertical structures add dimension, height, and beauty to your landscape.
Pergolas are landscape features that provide cover and shade for walkways or sitting areas and offer simple structure to allow vines to train and more elaborate structure to support outdoor speakers, strings of light, fabric or even ceiling fans. They often help define an outdoor living area and can be incorporated into a more permanent structure like a deck or installed as a freestanding accent in a yard.
Arbors and trellises are both architectural structures that provide support for climbing vines. In addition, they offer focal points that make impact statements in your landscape design. Arbors are generally the smaller of the two structures and most often used to define a garden entry point or provide parameter separation.
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Other options-
There are a host of other hardscape projects, like the addition of retaining walls, stone pathways and fencing that can all add decorative and practical benefits to your landscape. As you consider what hardscaping options will best support the way in which you plan to use your outdoor living space, we can help provide guidance and offer ideas to support and enhance your vision.
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