Have you been thinking of adding a fire pit to your backyard? With lovely squishy cushions on comfortable seats? Lots of long sticks or forks included?
How about a new pathway? It would be straightforward to create one with pavers and extend it from the front door to the garage and the front door to the back of the house. That would be great for party planning, and guests could go from their cars to the outdoor event. And a paved walkway wouldn’t get all goopy when it rains.
Let’s think bigger! How about an outdoor living area with a complete outdoor kitchen, sitting area, and a big dining table?
All of those ideas are an example of hardscaping. It’s basically when you add something to your landscaping that is a permanent fixture that won’t change much once finished. Also included in this list are: driveways, water features and fountains, fences, steps, decks, arbors, gazebos, pergolas, patios, and retaining walls.
Softscaping, though we hardly ever use that term, includes all the living and organic elements of a landscape. Your lawns, trees, flowers, ornamental plants, gardens, and seasonal growths are softscaping.
Let’s let our imaginations loose for a few minutes with those descriptions in mind. Then, we will fantasize a little about our yards, gardens, and landscaping. What would you want if you had sufficient funds, time, and a great landscaper?
The practical
If your home has a detached garage, you probably get wet if it’s raining when you need to use your car. However, it’s not usually a very long dash; home builders in Florida have usually made the distance from the house to the detached garage reasonably short. So you don’t get soaked, but just wet enough to be annoying.
Let’s think about building a small patio and gazebo between the house and garage. It should fit the space between the house and garage, with a solid roof-over with a good slope so the water will run down fast, and gutters to keep the water from pooling on the new pavement.
If the space is large enough, there might be room for a small waterproof table and chairs under the shelter. A painted iron table and chairs set might fit in well.
Covering the area between the house and garage accomplishes two things: Shelter from the rain, and the paving will help the amount of mud that goes into the house with you. In addition, you won’t have to use an umbrella when you’re trying to balance a briefcase, lunch bag, a sweater over your arm, purse or bag for personal items, and the key to open the door.
Are you ready for the next flight of fancy?
Let’s do s’more!
What do you see in your mind’s eye when you think about a fire pit? Does your imagination go back to scouting days when you’d dig a wide hole to pile kindling and firewood? Long sticks for marshmallows and a supply of chocolate and graham crackers?
You’re not alone; that’s what many people think when a fire pit is mentioned. So let’s take this idea for a ride, too!
How about a big, circular pit in the ground, lined with bricks and with built-up walls to make it about a foot deep? Do you want gas to provide the fire or wood and logs? It makes a difference – with gas, your fire pit is instantly on when you want it. You can add “fake” logs to make it more like a log fire pit. It will need regular cleaning if you use it for cooking or burning stuff on sticks held over the flames.
On the other hand, a log fire is unique in another way. You might picture kids with hotdogs and marshmallows on sticks, a safe distance from the actual flames but close enough to cook their food items. Benches or chairs all around, about a foot or two from the fire pit wall, to have the warmth of the fire on cool evenings.
And, a wood fire is friendly – the crackling and popping of the wood fill in lapses in the conversation. The downside? You will still have to clean it every once in a while and find a reliable supply of wood and kindling.
Go for a walk!
You should think about building paths around the house, to the garage or driveway, around some larger bedding areas, and maybe some garden walks if you’re serious about gardening for the table. Plus, no slipping in mud!
You’re cooking now!
Let’s go for the big stuff! How about an outside living area? Big outdoor chairs with squishy cushions and pillows. Lounges for a bit of an afternoon nap. Side tables and cocktail tables welcome company.
A roofed-over kitchen, with stove, grill, oven, cold storage, cabinets for dishes and other serving stuff, and a wide counter around it all, with seating for eating and conversation with the cook. How about a dishwasher? The plumbing is in place, and then you won’t have to carry dishes to and from your indoor kitchen.
An ample dining table that can be expanded or added to will finish it off, comfortable chairs, lazy susans for condiments and bread, and other add-ons to the meal.
Music of the waters
Oh, good, your favorite part! A water feature or fountain. Maybe set in a remote area of the yard, with tall plants all around. A mister to add some mystery to the fountain. Let’s get the kids involved. They picked up some great stuff at the garden shop on the last trip there.
A chair or two for your rest and to read & refresh.
It’s the landscape of dreams, relaxing and with plenty of points of interest. Places for the kids to have games, run and hide, and have outdoor fun that doesn’t involve anything electric.
Step back and take a look – and enjoy your new landscape by Custom Acres.