If you’re looking to bring new life to your landscaping in the Port Washington, NY area, you may want to center your plans around a custom masonry feature. Expertly built masonry can complement your home style or other features in your outdoor surroundings. Here are some ideas of custom masonry features that can be transformative.
Related: THE MANY USES OF EXPERT MASONRY IN A MODERN LANDSCAPE IN THE DEER PARK AND STONY BROOK, NY AREAS
Paver Patio
A paver patio can often be viewed as the pivotal foundation for outdoor living fun. This feature often serves as the foundation of other features, such as an outdoor kitchen or fire pit, but it can also act as an important stand-alone piece. As an independent addition, a paver patio can provide a location to include some outdoor furniture, like a comfortable sectional and a coffee table. No matter how your paver patio is adorned, providing visitors with an area to kick back and relax can provide endless hours of entertainment, making the patio a crucial piece of your backyard entertainment plan.
By using pavers to craft your patio, it can be fully customizable, depending on your preference for style, colors, textures, and patterns. Brick-style pavers can tend to work well in more traditional homes, while elongated or flagstone pavers bring a modern edge. Available in many earth-tone colors, using one or two strategically placed colored pavers can give you a beautiful contrast that doesn’t look too busy.
Retaining Wall
If your landscape has a significant slope, a retaining wall may be a necessary option to create more usable space, perhaps with the help of some beautiful steps. Even if not necessary to make your yard flatter, a retaining wall can act as a divider between areas, create tiered gardens, or double as low-maintenance seating options for visitors. Even so, a retaining wall does not have to be solely utilitarian—a custom-built wall can be beautiful all on its own, as a complementary feature to the other elements in your landscape.
Opt for natural stone or stone-like wall blocks, which are available in various colors, shapes, and sizes, to establish a particular style (i.e. rustic, modern, etc.). You could choose complementary, but not matching, colors to create a cohesive experience that can make your retaining wall feel like an intentionally designed feature instead of an afterthought.
Fire Feature
Often the natural gathering point of a backyard space, the design and build process of a fire feature offers a great opportunity to showcase your style. The gentle warmth and soft light provided can help make this outdoor area the most used spot, especially when the sun goes down and the evening begins to cool off. Custom masonry can lead to a fire feature that not only meets your outdoor needs but helps to create an aesthetic that really showcases your style. Whether you prefer a fire pit or outdoor fireplace, there are a few ways to ensure a feature that is everything you want: For one, consider how many people will be enjoying your fire feature. This will help you to plan for a large enough feature for everyone to enjoy. If looks are what are most important, consider how a majestic outdoor fireplace could serve as a primary focal point in your landscape. Or you may find that you prefer a classic circular fire pit that is reminiscent of past campfires and storytelling around the fire.
