A professionally designed hardscape can transform your backyard from being a boring afterthought into a beautiful backyard retreat!
There are five primary elements that have the unique ability to transform an outdoor living space from good to great. The hardscape design team at Heinen works closely with homeowners during the planning process – considering everything from functionality and aesthetics to material selection and seasonality. Thorough preplanning ensures homeowners are left with outdoor living spaces that perfecctly fit their lifestyles – and boost the value of their home when it comes time for resale.
Using a variety of manufactured stone elements creates visual interest. Above: Techo-Bloc Mika Paver in Onyx Black and Travertina Raw Patio Slab in Riviera.
1. Manufactured Stone Elements
While outwardly beautiful and a seemingly good fit for outdoor living spaces, natural stone is often too porous for long-lasting, durable hardscapes. When water is able to seep into the small pores of natural stone, it can freeze and expand, leading to cracking and breakage. That’s why professional hardscape designers, like the outdoor living pros at Heinen, have made the switch to manufactured stone for outdoor applications.
Manufactured stone has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years thanks to its elegant, sleek look and the availability of a wide range of colors and textures – along with its inherent durability. There is nearly an infinite variety of hardscape features that can be created with manufactured stone – including everything from expansive patios to stepping stone pathways, retaining walls, steps, and even outdoor kitchen areas.
To create dynamic, visually interesting spaces, designers often mix stone elements of different sizes, colors, and textures. Regardless of texture and color options, it’s important to know that not all manufactured stone providers are created equal. That’s why Heinen’s outdoor team works with only the most reputable stone manufacturers in the business, like Techo-Bloc and Unilock. Through relationships with these exceptional suppliers, Heinen is able to provide customers with a wide variety of design options – along with the satisfaction of knowing their outdoor investment will look great and perform reliably for years and years to come.
2. Multi-Level Patios
Boost the wow-factor of your outdoor space while also expanding its functionality with a tiered or multi-level patio layout. Instead of installing one expansive patio space (which is often not an option for sloped backyards), creating multiple tiered patios at different elevations can increase the amount of a property’s usable space, while adding dimensionality to a backyard living area.
Terracing a series of individual patios can create more usable and accessible space in a sloped backyard.
An advantage of terraced patios is that each can be designed as a distinct destination area that can serve a specific purpose – lounging, dining, cooking, entertaining, conversation, etc. The ability to infuse intentional use areas into an outdoor living space instantly conveys a sense of thoughtfulness in its design. The result: an outdoor space that feels luxurious, elegant, and purposeful.
Form meets function with these intentional spaces. It’s not difficult to imagine guests progressing naturally from a cocktail area to a dining space, and then comfortably settling down for the evening in an intimate conversation pit. Strategically placed pathways and steps connect the spaces, subtly controlling the flow of the space – and an enhanced overall guest experience.
3. Add A Cozy Fire Feature
Warmth, ambiance, and unmistakable luxury can be added to to any outdoor space with the addition of a fire feature! Evening gatherings now can extend well into the night and, as seasons turn colder, a warm, flickering fire invites relaxation and inspires nightime conversation.
Create a natural and comfortable gathering space with a strategically placed fire feature constructed with textured manufactured stone.
Custom-built above-surface or in-ground fire features can be designed to match most any aesthetic and style, thanks to the wide selection of manufactured stone materials from Techo-Bloc and Unilock. And, when designed and installed by experienced hardscape professionals, a fire feature can be placed strategically to fit most any outdoor living space, large or small.
Fire features tend to serve as a natural gathering place. An above-ground fire feature projects a natural, more rustic look with the right balance of rough-textured and earth-tone stone. A sleeker and more modern look can be achieved with smooth textured stones in cool blues or grays. Or, for a more elegant and contemporary look, self-contained stainless steel fire features can be installed within a purpose-built hardscape area – including the ability to add an “instant-on fire” fueled by an underground natural gas line connected to the home or via a hidden propane tank.
4. Include An Outdoor Kitchen or Bar
Just as indoor spaces for dining and lounging can extend outdoors, the kitchen can as well, with a thoughtfully designed outdoor food prep station. Adding an outdoor kitchen to a new patio installation instantly transforms it into the ultimate entertainment space. No longer is the host trapped inside preparing the food while guests mingle outside. With an outdoor kitchen, the host can cook, grill, and bartend without missing out on any of the fun.
A custom grill station designed by the Heinen team features a workspace on either side for increased functionality.
Outdoor kitchens can be designed to incorporate a wide range of features, such as wine coolers, pizza ovens, grills, smokers, flat tops, etc., based on the homeowner’s lifestyle and personal preference. The addition of an outdoor kitchen is a premium amenity that more and more home buyers are looking for – meaning your new outdoor kitchen can often add significant value to your home. As a side benefit, an outdoor kitchen can even help lower summer energy bills. During the summer months, indoor stoves and ovens force air conditioners to work harder. By just cooking a few meals a week outside, you’ll keep your home cooler and may even lower your electric bill.
5. Turn Night into Day with Outdoor Lighting
Dramatically enhance both the feel and functionality of your outdoor space with expertly designed, quality-made outdoor lighting. With a professionally installed system, homeowners can easily accent the best features of their landscaping and hardscaping while improving safety and deterring trespassers.
The perfect lighting design creates an inviting and cozy atmosphere that leads to perfect evenings!
Choosing the right outdoor lighting system is essential to creating an inviting and cozy outdoor atmosphere that is also durable over time. The lighting specialists at Heinen have over 30 years of experience in the exterior lighting field and are knowledgeable about every aspect of the design and installation of custom lighting systems. The team at Heinen only uses top-rated equipment from trusted manufacturers like FX Luminaire, a company with pro-level lighting fixtures available in hundreds of styles – all designed to withstand extreme weather – that also can be controlled from FX Luminaire’s handy mobile app. Easily set a lighting schedule or activate the system from anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection and a smartphone.
Ready to take your outdoor living space from dull to dazzling? Heinen can help! Heinen’s team of outdoor living experts has nearly four decades of experience designing custom outdoor entertainment spaces for homeowners throughout the Kansas City metro area.
