When it comes to property design, success is all about finding the right balance—from aesthetics and functionality to color and texture. In your landscape, hardscaping and softscaping elements will work together to create the ultimate outdoor living space. If you’re wondering what these terms mean and how they can inspire your home improvements, take advantage of the following guide.

The Difference Between Hardscaping & Softscaping

Softscaping elements are those you most closely associate with landscaping, such as flower beds, vegetable gardens, trees, and bushes. Hardscaping elements are man-made pieces like benches, fountains, walkways, gazebos, and retaining walls. It’s easiest to remember this distinction by the words “hard” and “soft,” which correlate with the texture of the materials—flower petals and leaves vs. stone and wood.

Most often, hardscaping elements have functional purposes, such as stepping stones for walking, or gazebos for sitting and reading in the shade. On the other hand, softscaping elements are mostly for aesthetic purposes, such as adding color and filling out your landscape.

How to Ensure They Work Together

With an eye for design, you can find out how to incorporate both softscaping and hardscaping elements into the space around your home’s exterior. Some pairings are simple—such as a walkway of stepping stones leading to a fountain, or a bench overlooking a flower bed.

However, you can intertwine these elements even further to turn your garden or yard into a whimsical destination. Examples include gazebos and trellises wrapped in flowering vines or a retaining wall featuring a vertical garden and containing fruit and vegetable plants.

If you’re interested in seeing your landscape design ideas come to life, contact JK Landscape Construction of Clearwater, MN. They have over a decade of experience allowing softscaping and hardscaping elements to exist in perfect harmony, and they can turn your backyard into a functional, beautiful living space. To learn more about their abilities, visit the website. Call (320) 558-4445 to discuss your vision and goals for your property today.