Spring is now here in Kansas City and the Midwest as a whole, and that means being able to spend time outside. One of the perks of owning your own home is having a space where you can kick back and relax in nature when the weather gets nice.
There are several different routes you can take, but one of the more popular ones is a stone or cement patio, commonly referred to as a hardscape feature. There’s a wealth of information regarding hardscape ideas and backyard hardscape design, and so many ways to accent your backyard patio in Kansas City and make it uniquely yours. Here are some ideas for this spring.
Stone patterns
One hardscape idea that could really set your patio apart from the others is the use of patterns in the stones as they are laid down to create your patio. Due to the wide variety of natural stone tiles and their various colors, there are numerous different patterns you could use. You could put in geometric shapes like circles or diamonds, a large compass or sunburst design in an open space, or even have your initials monogrammed into the patio. To top it off, these unique designs don’t have to be much more costly than a regular hardscape installation.
Lighting
When designing your backyard hardscape in Kansas City, it would be wise to think of lighting. The hope would be that you are enjoying yourself sitting out back on your patio so much that you lose track of time and turn an afternoon barbecue into an evening of festivities. For that reason and several others, you should put in enough lights to be able to see in the dark. LED is the most common type of light and is efficient, stylish and rather affordable. As far as what type of lights to put in, spotlights, string lights, overhead lights or lamppost lights would all be viable choices.
Shade
While it’s good to be able to see at night, it would also help to be able to spend time on your backyard hardscape without getting burnt to a crisp by the sun. Kansas City has an average high temperature of 88.7℉ in July, and the Midwest can get quite balmy in the summer, which reinforces the need for shade.
You have three main choices when it comes to shade: trees, a pavilion or a pergola. Trees are the obvious choice, being natural and beneficial to the environment. A pavilion would provide a solid roof overhead to protect you from rain as well as sun, whereas a pergola is a latticed wood structure that can provide you with semi-shade. Most pergolas are equipped with retractable canopies, offering you the option of full shade and protection from rain.
Flowers
Purely an aesthetic choice, flowers can provide some lively color on or around your backyard patio. You could plant them in a border around the patio, put them in planters on the ground or put up some hanging baskets if you have a pavilion or a pergola covering your patio. You could even put in large custom planters with torches in the middle to add some ambience to your backyard hardscape.
Call MSE Hardscape Design and Installation for all your patio needs
Now that you have some backyard hardscape design ideas, you can accent what you have or craft something new. Your backyard can be a place for you and those you care about to spend some quality time together. Whichever route you choose, MSE Hardscape Design and Installation in Kansas City has your stone patio needs covered. Reach out today to arrange a consultation.