Lawns, gardens, decks, patios, fences, paths, water features—these are just a few of the many elements that combine to create a home’s landscape. All contribute toward giving a home its sense of place and making the outdoor areas inviting and useful. And, of course, a carefully maintained and well-chosen landscape increases a home’s value.

In this section, we focus on those elements of a landscape plan that are often referred to as the “hardscape.” A yard’s hardscape includes man-made structures that add to the functionality of outdoor areas, such as masonry patios, decks, paths, lighting, and so forth. Of course, lawns, gardens, and other living elements are integral to a home’s landscape plan, too, so they are discussed here briefly as well. For more in-depth information about gardens and other living elements, see the category