Hardscaping elements—like statues, stepping stones, and water features—help complement the beauty of your home’s natural surroundings. When done well, garden design can boost the value of your house and transform your outdoor space into an oasis. However, you should try to avoid these common hardscaping mistakes for a successful project. 

3 Hardscaping Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not Having a Plan

Your yard space is limited, and certain hardscaping features—like patios, rock walls, and ponds—are immovable after they’ve been installed. Some garden design choices might interfere with the flow of the area. For example, placing a statue in the middle of a lawn or building randomly placed rock steps may feel unnatural and detract from the yard’s beauty.

Before putting time, money, and effort in hardscaping, come up with a plan to organize the outdoor space in a way you’ll enjoy for years to come, instead of spending more on moving or replacing fixed features. 

2. Not Working With the Natural Landscape 

Hardscaping refers to the non-natural elements in your yard, while landscaping focuses on natural features, like plants, trees, grass, and bushes. If you try to force too many hardscape elements into a natural space, you may end up with an imbalanced look.

While considering the landscape, think about your area. For example, country hardscape pieces might look great in the Southwestern United States, but they won’t match as well in an island yard. You’ll find the best balance by installing features that fit in with the natural landscape. 

3. Trying to Do It All on Your Own

Hardscaping requires a variety of skills, including design, knowledge of the environment, and an understanding of what will add value to outdoor spaces. It also calls for a substantial amount of physical labor to move and place large pieces. 

Input from an expert can be invaluable if you’re struggling to come up with a design that feels right for your outdoor spaces. Professional help is also necessary for sourcing and installing items like fountains, ponds, and rock walls. 

If you want help creating a beautifully hardscaped garden design in Honolulu, HI, turn to Big Rock Fabricators. Since the 1990s, they’ve helped create backyard getaways with elements that are unique to the Pacific Islands, like lava rock and coral veneers. See some of their products online, or call (808) 834-7625 to request a free estimate.