Hardscaping makes a small backyard more functional, eye-catching, and comfortable for your family. Strategic placement of various man-made features can also maximize space, making your home more appealing to prospective buyers if you ever sell. To make the backyard the most popular area of your house, incorporate the following hardscaping ideas into the landscape design.

How to Hardscape a Confined Backyard

1. Add a Raised Flower Bed

With a raised flower bed, gardening soil is placed inside a concrete or wooden enclosure. It's typically a few feet tall and a 

few feet wide and takes some of the work out of gardening. Raised beds make it easier to control weeds and other growing conditions for flowers, plants, herbs, and vegetables. The unit can be sized to fit in a nook or corner of the yard to allow more space in the center for socializing. The elevated garden will grab attention and serve as an attractive focal point in your outdoor area. 

2. Build a Patio Island

For outdoor seating, install a patio that can accommodate a small table and a bench or a few chairs. Instead of placing the hardscape next to the house, consider centering it in the yard on a platform a few feet off the ground with stairs to access it. The patio's height will add a dramatic effect to the landscape and make the area feel less confined. 

3. Choose Open Fencing

A tall, solid perimeter fence can make a small backyard feel even smaller. To increase the sense of privacy without creating a claustrophobic feeling, install open fencing around the yard. Your hardscaping contractor can build a short fence made of bricks or concrete cinder blocks with a lattice pattern in the design. The numerous openings will provide views to the other side of the fence, so the yard doesn't feel quite so closed off.

To incorporate the above hardscaping features in your backyard, contact the professionals at Affordable Concrete & Foundation Repair in Chillicothe, OH. The fully licensed, insured, and bonded contractor can provide concrete work, fix cracked bricks, and suggest additional solutions to enhance the beauty, safety, and functionality of your yard. See project photos online, or call (740) 773-0999 for an appointment in the Ross County area.