When considering which material to use to enhance your garden, stone is the obvious choice. It’s cost-effective, durable, and makes a beautiful addition to any landscape.
Features like retainer walls, rock gardens, water features, patios, and stone steps can breathe new life into any outdoor space.
Here are six ways you can take advantage of stone’s natural characteristics to create focal points, interest, and textural elements.
If you’re feeling inspired to begin your landscaping project, the best masonry company is just a call away.
1. Stone Retainer Walls
Stone retaining walls are not only functional; they are also pleasing to the eye.
Stone retaining walls can effectively prevent soil erosion and they are extremely versatile. They can be mortared or dry-laid and built tall or low—it all depends on your taste.
Retaining walls with stone veneers are perfectly suited for outdoor kitchens because they create textural contrast with smooth countertops and wooden cabinets or finishes.
2. Rock Gardens
A rock garden created with strategically placed natural rocks and live plants can add a point of interest to any outdoor space. However, bear in mind that the shapes, colors, and sizes of the rocks will determine how natural your rock garden looks.
You can choose native stone to create a rock garden that emulates the landscape and topography of your area, or you can take a more minimalist approach.
Japanese Zen rock gardens are perfect for creating spaces for quiet reflection and contemplation.
3. Water Features
Outdoor water features instantly add a unique touch and calming ambiance to any outdoor space.
Although water features are essentially rock gardens with the added element of water, incorporating greenery and aquatic life makes them unique.
Like rock gardens, water features are usually designed to look like a natural element of the landscape—even though the structure itself is man-made.
4. Stone Patios
Natural stone patios can be constructed with flagstone, slate, or fieldstone—and the possibilities are endless.
Depending on the patio’s size, it can become an outdoor entertainment area with a fire pit or a quiet place to curl up with a book and relax.
Mosaic stone patterns appear natural, raw, and organic due to their irregularities. Stone patios with mosaic patterns are attractive and add a romantic ambiance to any outdoor living area, while angular patterns create a more dramatic effect.
5. Stone Steps
If your garden has even a slight elevation change, natural stone steps are the perfect way to add texture to your landscape. From enchanting garden paths to practical stairways, stone steps are a unique feature in any garden.
Stone steps are timeless and, when strategically placed, blend into the landscape seamlessly.
The key to making stone steps look natural is to use rough stone with imperfections. They look gorgeous in rustic gardens and can even add a touch of whimsy.
6. Pool Coping
If you have a swimming pool, incorporating natural stone finishes adds a touch of sophistication and a luxurious aesthetic.
With countless options regarding color, style, and thickness, you can customize your pool coping according to your personal taste—just bear in mind that some stone retains heat better than others, so be mindful about burning your feet.