Planning the outdoor kitchen of your dreams? Make sure you take the proper time to consider what hardscape elements you should include in your outdoor kitchen design to get the most out of your project.

When it comes to landscape and outdoor kitchen designs, there are two different categories that landscaping experts use to to create a beautiful, functional space: softscape and hardscape. Softscape is the “living” aspect of any landscaper’s design and is what pops into most people’s mind when they think of landscapes. It includes the horticultural components; living and growing things like flowers, shrubs, and trees. For example, your outdoor kitchen may include the softscape components of climbing vines and a surrounding well-maintained lawn.

While hardscape elements may not be as well-known, it does not mean that they are any less important when it comes to your outdoor kitchen design. Hardscape elements are the hard, yet moveable elements of design. These elements are unchanging and be natural or man-made. Some common forms of hardscape include:

When it comes to your outdoor kitchen, the right hardscape design can enhance your experience in a number of ways. Keep reading to learn why every landscaping project needs to include a proper hardscape design.

Keep Your Outdoor Kitchen Environmentally Friendly

If you live in an area that’s experiencing a severe dry spell, like California, you’re going to want to make sure your home is as drought-resistant as possible. Luckily, hardscape elements are a great way to artfully break up a outdoor kitchen’s space without the need of constant watering. This is a great way help conserve the earth’s limited supply of fresh water.

This environmentally friendly move can also be financially smart. Save money by replacing your money-eating lawn with cut gravel. Your local landscaping team can help you choose shrubs and vegetation that are drought resistant. Now instead of having to water your lawn three times a week just to keep it alive, you can use hardscape elements to create a beautiful landscape surrounding your outdoor kitchen that doesn’t need a lot of attention.

Enhance Your Guests’ Experience

If you love hosting parties and plan to have a lot of guests over at your outdoor kitchen, use hardscape material to enhance your guests’ experience.

Use hardscape material to help your guests navigate with ease. An artfully arranged stone path is a great way to guide guests to and from your outdoor kitchen. No longer will you have to worry about wandering guests leaving trails on your perfectly maintained lawn. For a special touch, have your landscaper add pathway lanterns to your stone or gravel path. This will create an magical effect once the sun sets and a soft glow appears to assist your guests.

A second way you can use hardscape to enhance your guests’ experience is to create shade using pergolas and arbors. These unique structures not only offer shelter from the sun, they also make a picturesque hideaway for guests to mingle. Gardeners will love their added benefit of planting space. It’s very possible for one to grow both flowers and vegetables. If one of your outdoor kitchen dreams is to have fresh herbs and vegetables growing within hand’s reach, make sure you tell your landscaping team. They’ll make sure the structures are ready for planting and growing in no time. Soon you and your guests will be enjoying fresh food beneath the shade of these hardscape elements.

Showcase Your Personality

Outdoor kitchens are becoming a popular addition to many American homes. Don’t let your outdoor kitchen project become lost in the crowd. After all, if you’re going to be investing in something as large as an outdoor kitchen, you’re going to want to make it memorable. Use hardscape elements to customize your outdoor kitchen.

Showcase your unique personality by using exotic stones to accent your outdoor kitchen’s countertops. Add a winding stone path that connects your outdoor kitchen to an enchanting waterfall. Attach a deck to gain additional eating options for yourself, your family, and your guests. Use arches to frame the entryway and exitway of your outdoor kitchen. The possibilities are endless.

Start Planning Your Hardscape Design

When it comes to planning your hardscape design, the details feel overwhelming. It’s common for many homeowners to feel this way, especially when they are also in the middle of picking out everything else they need for an outdoor kitchen. Luckily no homeowner, including you, has to do this alone.

When it comes to your hardscape needs, reach out to your local landscaping company. They’ll know hardscape elements work best for your area. If you live in the Santa Cruz or Watsonville area, reach out to K&D Landscaping, Inc. These landscaping experts will be happy to bring your outdoor kitchen and landscape visions to live.