Every year, landscaping trends change. For this reason, landscape design experts are always thinking ahead about the things that are going to be significant in the landscaping world. So if you are an architect, homeowner, contractor, or a company and one of the things on your list for 2020 is to enhance your outdoor landscaping, then this article is for you.

From improving your home’s curb appeal to changing things up on your backyard, here are the top landscape trends in 2020 to consider.

Bringing Indoors Outdoors

One cool landscaping trend we’ll see in 2020 is combing both the elements of outdoor and indoor living in your outdoor space. You can place throw cushions, comfy chairs, and sofas to make your lounging outside as comfortable as possible. Also, rustic landscape stones, that can be used  can add a natural element to your outdoor living area. Pebbles and turf can be used both indoors and outdoors, and is a perfect example 2020 landscaping trend you will see which brings indoor design trends outdoors.

Water Feature

A lot of landscapers are turning gardens into havens to create a place of relaxation. And water features play a major role in the plan. Having the sound and presence of water in your garden is not only relaxing, but it’s also refreshing and therapeutic. Water features have the ability to use beautiful walling stones that can bring depth and height to your landscaping project of any size.

Low Maintenance Lawns

Maintaining your landscape will eat up your time and consume your energy. So this year, it’ll be about playing around with low maintenance options like artificial turf. This landscaping material is hassle-free, eco-friendly, and will always stay green. Its upkeep will not require you use water or harmful chemicals. Also, you don’t need any lawn equipment or do any mowing, making it cost-effective as well. It’s also easy to install, so you can focus your energy in hitting all your other 2020 projects and tasks.

Natural Materials With Better Quality

We will be saying goodbye to flashy and extravagant landscapes this 2020. Homeowners will focus more on investing in natural materials with the utmost quality. Also, keep in mind that the key to a good design is scalability and simplicity. Creating geometric shapes with these highest quality natural materials in your landscaping projects will give that “wow” factor to your 2020 projects.

Natural Stone Tiles

Natural stone tiles are excellent for your patio floors and a beautiful landscape trend for 2020. These hardscape materials are versatile and will last a lifetime. They’re also the perfect solution for areas in your home that receives the most traffic since they are resistant to scratches. Likewise, these stones simply look stunning both in and out of your home. Use them for your pools, backyard, and commercial projects.

Covered Pergola

Pergolas are a great way to transform your outdoor space. It can serve as an outside extension of your living space as well as it can protect your outdoor furniture from the sun, rain, and snow. Although it’s a bit on the expensive side, the many benefits it presents will be worth your investment. They’ll also allow you to have a party and social gatherings no matter what weather global warming brings.

Distinctive Lighting

In terms of lighting, landscaping design trends for 2020 is going to be minimalist, linear, and sleek. It’s also going to be architectural instead of traditional to intensify the geometric shapes of your home while highlighting the most striking and essential features of the design.  

A good example is keeping your light fixtures while illuminating your pathways, which will soften the design elements throughout your home. Moreover, you can create a soothing ambiance by hiding LED lights under patio spaces and sidewalks. The idea here is for the lighting to enhance both the texture and curves of your landscape design. This will also boost its overall appeal while providing your family and guests with visibility and safety.

Another lighting trend this year is placing the lights under floating and landscape structures. Doing so will create the illusion that your benches or steps are floating.

Outdoor Kitchen And Dining

Enhancing the backyard and creating a full outdoor living experience is going to be the rage in 2020. This means using your outdoor patio as your main kitchen and dining area. That’s why most manufacturers are coming up with innovative ways to present homeowners with outdoor kitchen equipment. There are even tables with a hearth in the center and kitchen sound systems available on the market today. All these are examples of how large companies, contractors, architects, and home-owners are all adopting 2020 landscaping design trends in their projects.

As a homeowner, you want your home to look as welcoming and attractive as it possibly can. Renovating your outdoor space is probably on top of your priority list, and often, landscaping will play a major role in your project.

When planning the design of your landscape, consider adding elements that you can provide you with the benefit of breathing life to it. A water feature can also provide you with the same advantages aside from visual appeal.

Water features are an excellent addition to your garden or backyard. Many modern homes incorporate them into their landscape designs since it provides a sense of natural environment. Additionally, its installation requires less space and less water to maintain.

The benefits of adding a water feature to your landscape designs are the following:

1. Aesthetically pleasing
2. The perfect solution to problem areas in your garden
3. It can help reduce noise pollution while improving air quality
4. Brings texture to your landscape
5. Improve the natural ecosystem of your home
6. A beautiful personal touch
7. Provides a soothing, calming sound

Aesthetically Pleasing

Any water element will stand out among your foliage and greeneries. They can serve as your yard or garden’s focal point. A walling stone waterfall can draw the eyes of your guests, while the trickling stream can give water to different spots in your landscape.

The Perfect Solution To Problematic Spots In Your Yard

You can adapt your landscape rather than fighting it. For example, if there’s an area in your backyard prone to flooding or soggy conditions, you can transform it into a waterfall or pond. This way you’ll be working with the natural surroundings.

Reduce Noise Pollution And Improve The Air Quality Of Your Space

Flowing water features can mask noise pollution near your home while delivering a constant stream of negative ions. According to several studies, there’s a connection between stress reduction and negative ions. The research found that exposing yourself to negative ions can reduce unhealthily symptoms of stress. Furthermore, it can also counteract air pollution’s impacts on our health.

Provides Texture To Your Landscape

Water can provide a stark contrast to the hard lines of your landscape’s architectural elements. A water fountain or pond can soften the hard lines of a retaining wall, pergola, and even blades of grass.

Enhances The Natural Ecosystem

Water features are great at attracting wildlife to your property. You may see dragonflies darting and hovering over its sparkling ripples. Birds may even visit your garden to freshen up with a quick sip. You and your family will enjoy hours of relaxation that natural wildlife can bring.

Adds A Stunning Personal Touch

The water feature in your outdoor space is just as unique as you. If you want to set your landscaping apart from the rest of the neighborhood, consider adding water flowing elements, ponds, or fountains in your property. You can also incorporate water features with your spa or pool to give it that sense of being part of the natural landscape.

Gives Out A Calming Sound That Soothes The Mind

The sound of raindrops on our rooftop or waves lapping on shorelines evoke a sense of relaxation and harmony. Adding a water feature in your landscape design can bring that soothing sound to your home while enhancing its ambiance.

Spending some time in a place with a stream of water has a soothing effect on our mind. It calms us, which in turn improves our overall health.

Landscape design is always changing. And no doubt, architecture is a field that illustrates design evolution. Architectures are constantly thinking of new ways and ideas, as well as exploring the combination of functionality and art. Hence, it leads to a steady stream of trends in the industry.

However, in terms of architectural landscaping, there are no quick and arduous rules. With that in mind, here are the latest design trends for landscape architects worth considering when you want to design a new space or renovate an existing one.

1. Harmony In Design

New homes today are unconventional and unique. They are being built to blend in with the environment that surrounds them. Designing to these types of conditions and parameters is not only challenging but will need innovative thinking. Create intuitive landscapes that form together properly in every aspect of the design. Each element should support one another to achieve your vision.

2. A Touch Of Green

Many homeowners are focusing more on giving their home a greener space. It offers amazing benefits for both your family and the environment.

One of the best ways to achieve this is to combine architectural structures in your space with touches of greens like potted plants. You can also create a lush lawn with different varieties of shrubs and a few trees. Make your garden looked manicured and clean with a pathway, plant box, or steps made of natural stones.

3. Custom Fire Pit

People love to bring inside luxuries to their outdoor space. And what better way to do this by adding a custom fire pit made of beautiful natural landscaping stones. It’s also a great way to extend the night and for entertaining guests. Additionally, it’s the quickest way to give your patio or backyard a new luxurious and yet cozy look.

4. Redesigning Garden Shelters

Forget about your dated garden shelter and redesign it with an attractive more open one. The example above is the perfect way to create the said structure. You can make the natural wood color pop up using a darker shade of landscape stones.

Surround it with a flowerbed and create a pathway in neutral shades, which will look lovely against the greens. The lack of walls will prevent the feeling of being in an enclosed space, and you’ll be able to enjoy your outdoor area even more as well.

5. Unique Water Feature

You can bring a calm vibe into your area with a stream, spring, or fountain. Water features typically use a pumping system allowing its water to circulate continuously. Most of these landscape structures are natural and will look even more fantastic when incorporated in walling stones.

6. Improve Your Pool Area With Lighting

Lighting can make your dull pool area stunning at night. It can provide your landscape with twilight scenery, making it a cool entertainment area for special occasions. Although you may not see the colors of your plants, lighting can bring a distinct vibrancy to your space. It can also help set the mood of the overall atmosphere of your pool area at night. Make sure to do your research on which angles are the best to make the most out of your investment.

Final Words

The main focus of the latest design trends for architects is expanding your green space. Considering these will provide you with a comfortable and inviting outdoor living area that beckons creativity.

Using natural stones is one of the best ways to give your landscape a contemporary appeal. However, most homeowners often overlook their importance when planning their landscaping. These stones have excellent characteristics that can bring out the naturalness of your outdoor space while evoking a modern vibe.

Unlike concrete, these natural materials will bring about a sense of belongingness to your garden. Additionally, they can help anchor the overall feel and look of your landscape. They are highly versatile elements that can add contrast and texture. They also require little upkeep and can serve as long-lasting groundcover.

Which Natural Stone Is Right For My Modern Landscape?

Whatever type of stone you pick can help set the tone of your entire landscaping. River rocks and pebbles can provide warmth, while limestones with modern colours like our Indus Gray can help lighten up shadowy spaces. If you’re going for a minimalistic modern landscape, a granite stone like our New Ebony is the perfect choice.

To see what appeals to you, make sure to check out our project gallery for inspiration. Natural stones are very durable and they will last almost a lifetime, so it’s vital that you’re happy with your choice.

A Striking Stepping Stone Pathway

Create a stunning focal point with your pathway by using a limestone with modern neutral tones like our Moderno Beige landscaping stone. Its cream and beige hues will make the greens in your space standout and creates visual interest.

Curb Appeal

Use natural stones to prevent those pesky grass from growing and stealing water from your plants. Not only will it get rid of your weed problem, but it can also add a lovely curb appeal to your property.

Use Pebbles Instead Of Mulch

Mulch may be less costly than pebbles, but the latter presents several benefits when used as ground cover. Aside from their durability, you don’t have to replace them each season like mulch. Also, they will last you a lifetime.

Moreover, white pebbles offer a beautiful contrast against your deep-colored plants while brightening up the dark corners of your garden. On the other hand, black pebbles are perfect for highlighting any dark or neutral-colored walling stones as seen on the image above.

A Unique Centerpiece

A large boulder with unusual shape can add an attention-seeking focal point to your modern garden. If your garden is small with an unruly ornamental shrub, use a centerpiece that’s low-maintenance and tidy. A large stone in any landscape can create visual appeal to its rather dull border areas.

Your Favorite Spot

We all have our favorite spot in our garden. It’s like a nook where you can relax after a day’s work or have your coffee in the morning. Turn your space into a contemporary and yet comfortable outdoor area by adding a natural stone with a distinctive look like our Alicante Black. Its surface features a velvety tiger skin appearance that will go very well with your modern landscape while preserving the natural ambiance of your space.

Create Textures

Fill the gaps between your pavers with pebbles to create a captivating texture to your landscape. It’s also a great way to cover up any unwanted area in your pathway and prevent grass from growing as well. Additionally, it can add an organic and soft element with plenty of visual interest.

Geometry

From squares to triangles, and circles to rectangles, these simple shapes are an amazing way to bring structure to any modern landscape design. They can add a clean, modern aesthetic, and allow you to define certain areas in your backyard, as well as create individual designs. For example, rectangular straight-lined stones can lead to your doorsteps as shown above. Do not just reserve geometry for ground covers, they can also be showcased in your plants.

The installation of a cobblestone driveway is not as labor-intensive as you might think. You don’t have to use heavy types of machinery or acquire special skills to do it. It’s sort of like a DIY. So if you’re up for the challenge and have some time on your hands, you can do the job yourself.

Keep in mind though that even though granite cobblestone materials are tough, the durability of your driveway is only good as your installation.

Here’s a simple guide on how to install a cobblestone driveway:

• Start by getting rid of grass or the present material on your old driveway.
• Depending on how thick your pavers are, excavate around seven inches deep.
• Add gravel around four to six inches and compact very well. Then add a layer of sand. Smooth and compact the layer.
• To guide your installation, use a string to run a line around your driveway’s borders.
• Start laying your cobblestone pavers from the garage to the sides of your driveway.
• Once the edges are in place, start filling the area, making sure to maintain a uniform joint size. Use a saw with a diamond blade or chisel and hammer if the cobblestone needs some cutting.
• When you’ve laid down all the cobblestones, set them around 3/8 inches by compacting the surface.
• Use a leaf blower to blow out the joints. When done, start filling them with sand or grout. Use a brush if you’re using sand to move it into the joints. Make sure to read and follow the package instructions when using grout, and use a squeegee to spread it evenly.
• Make sure the surface is thoroughly dry before walking or driving on it.  

What You Can Use To Fill Joints

Filling the gaps of the pavers will help lock them in place and prevent them from shifting. It can also stop debris and weeds from filling the spaces of your new cobblestone driveway with fill joints. Not only will your driveway look neat and attractive, but it can also help keep ants from calling the gaps their home.

Here are some fill joint materials you can consider:

• Decomposed Granite. The permeable material is also known as DG. It’s not only versatile but inexpensive as well. It’s also available in various colors and particle sizes varying in degrees, making it a great at filling those gaps in style.
• Sand. While sand may seem light and a bit challenging to manage, it can bind the cobblestones effectively. It’s also an excellent choice to keep them in place.
• Polymeric Sand. Like sand, this filler is easy to install, but it’s a bit more expensive. Simply sweep it into the joints, hose it down a bit, and once it solidifies, it will stay in place. It will not wash out, and weeds will not grow through it.
• Concrete. No doubt, the traditional gap filler is durable, cheap, and easy to apply. However, it may not provide your cobbles with the freedom of movement that the other materials offer. It’s also prone to cracks over time.
• Grout. It’s an ideal material if you want narrower joints. It can also provide a waterproof seal with the right mixture and application.

How To Repair The Gaps Between Cobblestone Pavers

• With your spade, dig out any filling left between the cobbles you’ll repair. Replace it instead of doing a simple patching for a long-lasting solution.
• Fill the gaps with the fill joint material of your choice. Consider using the left over filling when your driveway was installed. If it’s no longer available, try to find something that will match its original filling color and material.
• Once done, gently step on the filling to compact it and press it into the space between the cobblestones. Don’t worry compacting it will not cause the others to shift as they are firmly in place.
• Water or hose your new filling down. Wait two or three days for it to settle, and then sweep any excess filling with a broom.

How to Install Stone so Pesky Weeds don’t grow in between your Cobblestones and Pavers

You installed the driveway of your dreams using beautiful natural stones. But after a few months, you see those dreadful weeds starting to grow, and it’s not a pretty sight. So how do you get rid of them?

Understanding how they grow between your paving stones is essential to prevent their growth down the road. When sand washes out, weeds grow as their seedlings fall from the top and in between the spaces of your joints.

Installing your pavers properly is not a surefire way to prevent weed growth. And although opting for the materials of highest quality can help prevent grass growth, they will find a place and a way to grow. That’s how determined they are.

But no matter how persistent they are, you can prevent weeds from growing between your pavers with these effective solutions:

• Make sure your driveway has enough slope for draining water if it rains. Weeds love damp and cool environment.
• Sweep regularly to brush away any new seeds that may settle between the paving stones. It will also disrupt these seedlings from calling the gaps of your pavers home.

If your driveway already has weeds, follow these helpful steps:

• Manually pull out all large weeds between the gaps or joints as they are tougher to eliminate using your pressure washer.
• Use your power washer to get rid of any existing elements from the joints. It’ll remove any current jointing joints and rooting areas. These cleaning machines are powerful, so be careful not to disturb the layer of bedding where your cobblestones are resting.
• Destroy all rotting areas with the help of any organic solution. Chemical solutions are not only harmful to your children and pets, but also damage the environment as well. You can pour either boiling water or vinegar over the infected sections. The process will not kill the existing weeds but stop new grass from growing as well.

One of the most popular landscaping products today is walling stone as it can help beautify your landscape walls, planter walls, facing of retaining walls, outdoor kitchen walls, fire-place walls, and BBQ area walls. However, building one can be quite intimidating. It involves a lot of research, planning, hard work, and patience on your part.

There are also factors you need to consider, such as architectural style of adjoining building, landscape theme, whether you want a mortared wall or dry-laid, etc. Whatever you decide, it will impact the sizes and shapes of stones or rocks you will use in your stone wall.

However, whichever wall type you choose, selecting the stone you’ll use will be the most crucial in terms of its functionality and beauty. Choosing the best stone material for your outdoor project will be influenced by several things like its availability, color preference, and wall application.

To help get your landscape project underway, here are some useful tips on how to select the right material and install your dream walling stone.

Wet Or Dry Stone Wall?

The first thing you need to determine is whether you want to build a mortared or wet walling stone or a dry-laid one. All your plans and decisions throughout the process will be based on this, so it’s vital to know which one you want from the start.

You’ll need to embed a footing for a wet wall, which starts from below the ground level to make it stable. Building a mortared wall is easier than dry-stone (also called as dry-stack) because the mortar will hold the stones together. You can select any stone shape and size since the structural integrity of your walling stone is not reliant on them. Additionally, you can build your wall in whatever height you prefer.

However, in the long run, you’ll find it easier to manage and maintain a dry-laid walling stone. If the wall gets damaged or there’s a sudden ground shift, you can just reconstruct it with the same stone. Building it is less costly as well since it doesn’t need mortar materials and a base footing made of concrete.

Keep in mind though that the height of a dry stone wall cannot be more than four feet. Furthermore, it should be built using stones in rectangular or square shapes or have a flat face as it will be more challenging to layer and fit round stones without the help of mortar.

Which Natural Stones Can I Use for Walling Stone?

The most common stones you can use in building a walling stone are the following:

• Granite. Granite natural stone is solid and durable and comes in a wide array of colors such as gray, black, brown, and white.
• Limestone and Sandstone. You can have limestone and sandstone cut in regular or irregular shapes. These landscape stones are available in various shades, from tan to gray and white.

The Look

You have many options in terms of how you want your walling stone to look and feel. You can go for blocky and big, elegant and smooth or weathered and old.

Our Walling Rustic is the perfect walling stone to achieve that old and weathered appearance. It looks old naturally and can be installed both outdoors and indoors.

On the other hand, blocky and big rocks can give your space the look of sturdiness and strength. Rectangular and square rocks are usually easier to fit collectively, unlike rocks with round or irregular shapes.

Choosing Your Location

One of the smartest options is to build your walling stone that can double up as a backyard seating. Cap your walls with Wall Copings to give it a nice finish and make it more aesthetically appealing.  You can also create a lovely stunning retaining wall using natural landscaping stones, which can help in leveling up your landscape.

Mixing And Matching

Don’t limit yourself to one type of stone or rock when building your walling stone. You can use a variety of stones, from large and small to round, flat, and irregularly shaped ones. Combining these varieties can add an interesting and unique visual appeal to your stone wall.

It’s not only an artistic option as well, but you can save on your budget as well. By mixing different types of stones, you can utilize discounted or stones for sale, or visit your local landscape supply center.

Tips On How To Install A Dry-Laid Wall

Building an almost perfect stone wall will require excellent skills. However, you can build a good solid walling stone by following these basic rules, which you can apply in almost any dry-stone wall project.

1. Setting the stone length

Every stone is going to be a visible part of your wall. This means that each stone’s length is perpendicular to the direction of your wall. Placing the stones on the wall where their sides are visible will make your wall weaker, which is a mistake most people do, and one of the main reasons why walling stones fall.

2. Crossing the joints

There should be a joint crossing below each stone so that there will be a couple of stones underneath it. Refrain from doing stack bonds or running joints, which is when you stack stone to run vertical joints from one path to the next. Your wall will be really weak and look cheap with stack bonds or running joints.

3. Keep the stones level

Level the stones both along the face of your wall and in its core. Not leveling the stones will cause them to slide, leading to your stone wall’s internal stress, which will cause it to fall over time as it shifts.

Most walling stones are created using irregularly-shaped stones. If this is the case, keep your focus on leveling the top of the stones, to make it more manageable to build on its top. If having a level top is not possible, you can slope its top to a nearby stone on its left or right, but not pitched out or in the core of your stone wall.