From Flat to Fantastic: 3 Steps to A Beautiful Backyard

Transforming a large, flat yard is easy when you focus on building a beautiful foundation and adding vertical elements to give the space definition. Here are tips on how to bring your outdoor space from boring to beautiful.

 

Step 1: Work from the Ground Up

Transform a large flat space by installing concrete pavers to create a patio for relaxing or entertaining. Paver patios can be installed at grade or atop a slope. A raised patio like the one shown below will work in either of these conditions, and is a perfect way to replace an old wooden deck while adding height to flat ground.

Highland Stone® wall system; Slaton Plus™ tumbled paving system

 

Step 2: Add Interest with Accessories

A paver patio will quickly become a gathering place because of its functionality and low maintenance. To add creative flair to the flat space, consider these accents:

• Freestanding walls provide instant height, beauty and seating.

Highland Stone® wall system

 

• Built-in planters filled with flowers and grasses soften a paver patio.

Fresco™ wall system; Slaton Plus™ paving system with Charleston™ paving system border

 

• Columns act as stylish spots for light fixtures or plant pots.

Brisa® wall system; Rinn™ Medino® paving system with Slaton Plus™ paving system border

 

Step 3: Build a Structure

Built structures are popular design elements for flat landscapes. Arbors and pergolas can define spaces and help make an outdoor area truly feel like an extension of your home.

Diamond Stone Cut® wall system

 

With the right elements, a flat yard can be taken to new heights. Find more hardscapes inspiration by downloading our 2014 Landscape Collection catalog or visiting the Anchor Block Company Facebook page.

Top Landscaping Trends: Which is Right for You?

Summer’s almost here! The season’s short but there’s plenty of time to improve your landscape. Here are the top outdoor trends to incorporate into your yard.

Living Spaces

Diamond Stone Cut® Retaining Wall System, formal-face

An outdoor living space, such as a kitchen or entertaining space, was cited as the most popular outdoor design element by landscape architects surveyed by the American Society of Landscape Architects. 

Landscaped Gardens

Artisana® Multiheight Retaining Wall System

Landscape trends come and go, but well-designed gardens are always in style. What’s new for gardens? The rising popularity of native, drought-tolerant plants and using perennial plants for a low-maintenance landscape.

Reducing Runoff

Holland Permeable Paving System

Cities and citizens alike are looking for ways to reduce water runoff into ecosystems. Installing permeable pavers is an effective and stylish way to drain water into the ground. In addition to reducing runoff, permeable pavers naturally filter contaminants.

Fire Pits and Fireplaces

Stone Age 36″ Outdoor Fireplace

Fire pits and fireplaces are very in-demand, according to 97% of the residential architects who participated in the ASLA survey. Fire elements remain popular because of the wide range of versatile products available. Homeowners can choose do-it-yourself fire pit kits or larger fireplaces that make stylish, dramatic additions to the yard.

Which of these trends would you choose to enhance your landscape?

Share your ideas with us in the comments section or on Facebook, or visit us at www.anchorblock.com for more outdoor living inspiration.

Plan a Fall Landscaping Project

There’s plenty of great weather remaining in the Upper Midwest to complete and enjoy new landscaping projects. As you pack away the beach towels and wave to the school buses, consider these fall landscaping possibilities.

Spruce Up the Entry

Increase your home’s curb appeal in big and small ways. Start small by planting new perennials and adding seasonal, cool-weather plants like mums and pansies to transition your outdoor décor from summer to fall. Check out online resources for inspiration, like HGTV.com, which offers photos and ideas to inspire front yard creativity.

Hardscape products like pavers, columns and freestanding wall systems are a permanent way to make a great first impression. Front yard courtyards are great for seating and can be made using the Brisa® multipiece freestanding and retaining wall systems. Adding creative accents like columns, lighting, and coordinating pottery for annual plants pulls the space together for a unified look.

Beautiful Ground Cover    

Concrete paving systems are a durable, long-lasting way to improve a patio, driveway or walkway. Pavers are available in a variety of colors, textures and shapes, and many systems offer multiple sizes to create patterns.

Kingston™ paving system

Concrete pavers are manufactured to meet strength and durability requirements so they stand up well in harsh winter climates. For easy do-it-yourself paver installation instructions, visit Better Homes & Gardens.

Evening Warm-Up

There’s no better way to extend the use of your outdoor space beyond summer than with a fireplace. There are many styles and sizes available to warm up cool fall nights.

Stone Age fireplace with Highland Stone® freestanding wall system

Stone Age fireplaces are modular kits that can be customized by size, shape, and choice of veneer options, including brick, pavers or natural stone. Fireplaces can be freestanding or integrated into a seating wall, with options such as storage space for wood or decorative mantles.

Fashion Meets Function

Every yard has a troublesome feature that stands between you and enjoyment. Here are some creative, attractive solutions to common landscaping challenges.

Change a hard-to-mow slope into a garden by installing terraced retaining walls.

Brisa® retaining wall system

Add stairs to improve accessibility to all areas of the yard.

Diamond Stone Cut® retaining wall system

In low-lying areas, water pooling from poor drainage can make the space unusable. Take back the space and make it beautiful by installing pavers and retaining wall systems. Consider consulting a contractor or a landscape supply dealer to design and install a good drainage system.

Diamond Stone Cut® retaining wall system with Kingston™ paving system

Replace a worn or unattractive wooden deck with a raised patio and benefit from low-maintenance and extend your living area into the backyard.

Highland Stone® freestanding wall system

There’s plenty of warm weather left to realize your landscaping dreams.  For more information and to view our catalog, visit our website at www.anchorblock.com. Whatever inspiration you find to make your landscape dreams come true, click over to our Facebook page and tell us about your favorite projects.