Landscaping walls add dimension and definition to your outdoor living spaces. Whether utilizing a retaining wall to control the slope of your yard, or simply to add dimensional embellishments to an outdoor living space, landscape wall products represent an important element of contemporary outdoor living design.
Terraced Design
Retaining walls present a way to convert a sloped yard into usable space through the creation of terraces. Terraced design can also be used to create a raised or sunken outdoor room.
Celtik® Wall
Celtik® Wall
Tandem® Wall
Weston Stone®
Vertical Gardens
A rising trend in outdoor design, vertical gardens take landscaping to new heights and add a tremendous amount of visual interest and dimension to an outdoor living area.
Celtik® Wall
Belair Wall®
Belair Wall®
Defining a Room
Landscaping and seating walls can help define an outdoor living area or create a transition from one outdoor room to the next.
Belair Wall®
Weston Stone®
Weston Stone®
Fire & Water Features
Walls can be used to incorporate the elements of fire or water into an outdoor design in a variety of creative ways. These types of features become a visual anchor point and add to the ambiance of a design.
Celtik® Wall
Tandem® Wall
Belair Wall®
Outdoor Kitchens
Outdoor kitchens are one of the fastest growing segments of the outdoor living industry, and for good reason. An outdoor kitchen exponentially improves the functionality of an outdoor space, as well as the aesthetics.
Celtik® Wall
Tandem® Wall
Weston Stone®
Embellishments
Landscaping and retaining walls can be used to add any number of coordinating embellishments to an outdoor design — including columns, planters, mailboxes and more — which can help tie an outdoor design together.
Weston Stone®
Celtik® Wall
Celtik® Wall
Built-In Seating
According to the American Society of Landscape Architects, built-in seating has been one of the top 10 trends for the last few years. In addition to providing permanent seating, a seat wall can also help to define an outdoor living space.
Celtik® Wall
Belair Wall®
Tandem® Wall
Next week: Come back to the Outdoor Living by Belgard blog for more seat wall design and placement ideas.
Since ancient times, the column has long been an architectural element used for both decorative and structural purposes. Usage of this ancient design technique continues to evolve in the world of modern outdoor living design. Whether a freestanding or a structural element, columns of varying sizes, textures and designs can add a dimensional aspect or a finished look to an outdoor living space.
Freestanding columns
Freestanding columns are a distinctive way to indicate the entrance to a terrace, porch, walkway or driveway. They can also mark the transition from one outdoor room to the next. By incorporating lights on the tops or sides of columns, you can add both ambiance and a safety element.
Weston Stone®
Weston Stone®
Weston Stone® & Bullnose Coping
Arbors, pavilions and outdoor kitchens
Masonry columns make an excellent decorative structural element to support a pavilion or the covering for an outdoor kitchen. When utilizing a masonry column to support a post, using the same masonry material to construct the outdoor kitchen will create a cohesive look, as well as a durable outdoor living space that can withstand the elements.
Weston Stone® & Bullnose
Weston Stone®l
Weston Stone®
wall endcaps
Using a column for an endcap adds a finished look to a retaining wall, landscape wall or seat wall. Finishing touches can include a light fixture, low voltage hardscape lighting, or a built-in planter.
Weston Stone® Seat Wall
Weston Stone®
Weston Stone®
Country Manor® Wall
Tandem® Column
Porches
Columns can enhance the look of a porch and add curb appeal to a home. Retaining wall block or other masonry materials can even be used to wrap existing posts to create the look of an architectural column or coordinate with other hardscape design elements.
Tandem® Column
Weston Stone®
Weston Stone® and Bullnose Coping
sTEPS AND STAIRS
Whether simple or elaborate, columns can add an elegant touch to steps and stairways. Options can include placing the columns at the top, the base, or both.
Tandem® Column
Anchor® Highland Wall
Belair® Wall
Tandem® Column and Wall
Fences and gates
Columns make an attractive addition to fences and gates and can work either as a structural or decorative element with masonry, wooden or iron fencing.
Belair® Wall
Tandem® Wall
AB Courtyard Collection
Creative Touches
Columns can be used to define an outdoor space or as integrated elements of an outdoor living feature. The masonry column’s use as a decorative element is only limited by the imagination.
Fire pits continue to rise in popularity, and with good reason. They add a fun and relaxing element to any outdoor space. The latest fire pit trends involve incorporating multi-dimensional patio design to create the ultimate backyard haven. Below are 10 dimensional fire pit patio designs that would instantly become everyone’s favorite gathering spot in your backyard.
1. practical elegance
According to a recent national survey of landscape architects, built-in seating is one of the top trends in outdoor living. This fire pit patio incorporates built-in seat walls, yet also leaves room for optional patio furniture. The design also incorporates permeable pavers on both the patio flooring and the seat ledges, ensuring that rainwater instantly infiltrates into the hardscapes.
This terraced patio incorporates both manufactured stone and natural stone to create a rustic look that coordinates well with the picturesque mountainside view.
This design takes the natural look a step further by not only using natural stone as a landscape accent, but as a integrated element of the walls and fire pit. The surrounding landscape wall functions as a way to define the outdoor room, but also provides a ledge for additional seating.
By terracing off a sloped yard with retaining walls, this homeowner was able to emulate the effect of a sunken living room off of the pool deck, creating an intimate fireside gathering spot.
This terraced fire pit patio offers built-in enclosed seating on three sides, but leaves the fourth wall completely open for foot traffic. The angular design adds a formal touch to balance the rough-hewn textures of the hardscapes.
Natural greenery creates a virtual wall to block the wind and create an intimate atmosphere for this terraced fire pit patio. A retaining wall adds a finished look and provides a ledge for additional built-in seating.
The low profile of the fire pit makes the seat wall the focal point of this design. The elegant arched wall is flanked with columns to create a striking look. The sunken level surrounding the fire pit creates a ledge that’s the perfect height for small children to sit and enjoy the fire.
The decorative wall surrounding this fire pit uses Mediterranean design influences to help define the perimeter of the patio. The multi-level terraced design adds to the stylish look.
Sweeping arches define the separate “rooms” of this multi-dimensional outdoor living space, tying everything together into one cohesive and flowing design. Built-in low-voltage hardscape lighting adds ambience and adds a safety factor for each of the level changes.
This fire pit patio connects to the outdoor kitchen and provides an excellent place for family and guests to gather while the outdoor chef prepares dinner. Paver designs help define the transition from one outdoor “room” to the next.
For more than 20 years, the Belgard name has been synonymous with stunning, durable pavers and retaining walls that professional landscapers and designers can trust. Now, Belgard has partnered with Lowe’s® Home Improvement stores to make beautiful outdoor living even more accessible to homeowners by bringing these professional grade products to over 1,100 locations nationwide with a new do-it-yourself collection sold exclusively at Lowe’s.
The new product line includes three featured paver systems and a wall system that are all a reflection of the premium Belgard offerings that have historically only been available to contractors and dealers.
Providence™ Pavers
The three-piece Providence™ Paver system offers the antiqued, rustic look of tumbled stone. In the installation above, all three pieces were laid in an ashlar pattern to create a random look. The square piece was used alone to create a border.
Trinity™ Pavers
The modular three-piece Trinity™ Paver system boasts clean, modern lines and a smooth surface with larger scale pieces to create a contemporary look.
Portland™ Stone Pavers
Portland™ Stone is a single unit that incorporates false-joint technology to simulate the look and feel of random flagstone.
Palmer™ Wall Pavers
The two-piece Palmer™ Wall system features crunch technology™ and has the textured look and feel of natural quarried stone. Constructed walls can be topped with Palmer™ Wall Cap to add a finished look, as pictured in the above installation.
The above featured lines will be in-stock items available nationwide*. In addition to these featured product lines, there will also be a variety of special-order Belgard pavers and wall products available online for in-store pickup. Each of the featured and special-order product lines come in multiple color options that will vary by location due to localized manufacturing, which utilizes local aggregates.
For more information on the partnership between Belgard and Lowe’s, visit www.lowes.com/belgard.
*Stores that are unable to stock the featured product lines will offer in-store pickup for online orders.
For over a decade, the gradual trend has been for homeowners to transform the formerly open backyards of existing homes into definable “outdoor living” spaces. In new home construction, however, this phenomenon has grown exponentially in more recent years to the point that outdoor living has becoming a standard feature at just about any price level. Although upgraded outdoor living spaces are more common at higher price levels, new construction home buyers at all levels want to know that they’ll be able to live in and enjoy their outdoor spaces. According to builders, realtors and landscape architects, some definable trends have emerged as being “highly desirable” to potential buyers.
Indoor/Outdoor Convergence: For several years, the trend has been to create outdoor living areas that mimic indoor living. This has evolved in a way that with many new home designs, there is no distinct separation between the indoor and outdoor spaces, but more of a fluid separation between the two areas. These types of designs might incorporate floor-to-ceiling retractable glass walls, stackable doors or floor materials that contribute to that sense of flow. For example, Belgard Porcelain Pavers were designed for outdoor use, but coordinate with a line of interior porcelain tile, which allows for the same flooring aesthetic to be used both inside and outside of the home.
Multiple floor-to-ceiling glass doors and Ardesie porcelain pavers make this porch feel like a continuation of the home’s interior living spaces.
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Fully Functioning Kitchens: Although this trend is more typically seen in higher priced homes, smaller homes are jumping on the outdoor kitchen bandwagon, even if on a smaller scale — like with a simple built-in grill. But for mid-level homes and above, buyers want an outdoor kitchen with all the conveniences of an indoor kitchen, and then some. In luxury homes, the outdoor kitchen often costs more than the indoor kitchen, with amenities that incorporate everything from dishwashers to brick ovens. In many cases, the outdoor kitchen also functions as an outdoor bar and includes items like roll-top beverage coolers, kegerators and wine refrigerators.
This well-appointed outdoor kitchen and bar includes seating, outdoor refrigerator, kegerator, Bristol Brick Oven, built-in grill, sink and storage.
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Integrated Audio/Visual and Lighting: New homes of every price range are incorporating outdoor televisions and sound systems, even if on the smaller scale of an outdoor-rated bluetooth speaker system. Mid-level homes and above are taking the trend to the next level with outdoor sound systems that are integrated with the interior of the home so that the same music can be played inside the home as outside, which follows the indoor/outdoor convergence trend. With the rapid advance of smart phone technology, this can be taken to an even higher level with systems that can operate off of a mobile app to control every electronic aspect of the outdoor living space, including TVs, sound systems, lighting, fire features and pool equipment.
Every electronic aspect of this outdoor living area is controlled by the homeowner’s mobile app, including the fan, lighting, TV and the gas starter on the fireplace.
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Intimate Outdoor Spaces: Home buyers are interested in having a relaxing outdoor living area where they can socialize and unwind, creating a trend towards more cozy seating areas, often incorporating a fireplace or fire pit. Some experts relate this trend to the fact that there’s typically a TV in every room of the house, so a cozy outdoor space away from a TV can be a place to escape. Unlike expansive outdoor kitchen spaces, which may be limited to luxury homes, an “outdoor retreat” can be created on a smaller budget and appeals to buyers at all levels. In fact, a cozy outdoor space can easily be created by adding a freestanding wall or two. With the help of a few staged furnishing, potential buyers can get a feel for how they would live in the outdoor space.
The Bristol Fireplace serves as focal point for this intimate gathering spot. This same sense of intimacy can also be created with the use of a freestanding wall, which can help define the space and create the illusion of an interior room.
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Sustainable Design: According to the American Society of Landscape Architects, this year’s top trends in landscape design include both rainwater harvesting and the use of permeable pavers. Although a standard permeable paver installation simply allows water to filter through the paver joints into the ground below, a permeable paver system can be designed to also harvest and recycle rainwater, converging these two trends into one and allowing the reclaimed water to be used for garden irrigation and other uses. Current top landscape trends also include native plants and low-maintenance landscaping.
A permeable paver system, like this Subterra Stone® patio, can be designed to include a collection cistern and a pump to harvest water for reuse with water features, irrigation or other greywater uses.
