Knowing The Difference Between Hardscape and Softscape Elements

April 2, 2022 by PMS Brick Pavers – We’re the Guys

The outdoor living space of any home features two important components; hardscape and softscape. But what is the difference between these two essential elements?

Just as the name implies hardscape simply refers to any hard thing available in your yard, including stones, brick, concrete, or any other similar thing. On the other hand, includes all types of soft components in your home, ranging from plants, and bushes to trees.

As you may have guessed, softscape constitutes all living things whereas hardscape is made up of inanimate objects in your yard. Great homes are those that can strike a good balance between softscape and hardscape. Car enthusiast homeowners usually transform their hardscapes into gorgeous and eye-catching driveways. Such driveways not only make your residential property look beautiful but also give it a commercial appeal.

On the other hand, homeowners who are a fan of gardening usually tend to fill their outdoor spaces with huge trees, and bold shrubs as well as bushes. So, as a homeowner, it’s vital that you find the right balance between the hardscape and softscape in your home.

So, what are the most common hardscape elements in your home?

As previously explained, hardscape simply refers to non-living things in your home. But for your understanding, let us delve deeper into this topic. In this section, we discuss some of the common things that can be categorized as hardscape components of your home.

To be more precise, hardscape describes hard but movable elements in your home, including gravel, pavers, and stones, among others, that are found in your outside space. It features non-living and inanimate objects that also don’t change over time.

Hardscape components usually affect your surroundings very differently. In this regard, things such as pavements, or stones don’t allow water to infiltrate the soil, thereby increasing the likelihood of pollutants finding their way into water bodies. On the other hand, porous elements permit water to infiltrate into the soil, minimizing runoffs. Other notable types of hardscape materials may include outside kitchens, gazebos, patios, and decks. It is worth noting that hardscape materials are either artificial or natural.

So, what are some of the most common types of softscape elements?

As opposed to their hardscape counterparts, softscape materials are soft to touch, just as the name implies. In this regard, trees, shrubs, flowers as well as ground covers are great examples of softscape elements. Bearing in mind that these are living things, they will inevitably change over time. As a result, they require proper care. Softscape components such as trees, and shrubs differ in terms of shape, texture as well as size.

Practical tips on how to integrate softscape and hardscape elements into your home:

If your home is relatively small, use vertical spaces to incorporate softscape features into your yard. You can also use container gardening techniques as well as pedestals to make your home look bigger.

If you reside in an area with government restrictions regarding water usage, forcing you to rethink your softscape elements, don’t fret! You can continue to enjoy having a beautiful garden by making a few alterations. For example, if the water supply is a major concern, you can replace some of your softscape features with hardscape ones. In this regard, you replace your garden’s grass patch with hardscape elements such as pavers, concrete, or even granite. You can also incorporate a few drought-resistant plants.

You may also use hardscaping elements, including retaining walls to create additional space.

The bottom line:

We have not only highlighted the key difference between hardscape and softscape elements in your home, but have also provided you with proven and practical tips on how to combine these two important features and make your home a beautiful place.

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Here’s How Hardscape Is Different from Softscape

November 16, 2019 by PMS Brick Pavers – We’re the Guys

A home’s outdoor living space consists of two elements: hardscape and softscape. As the name suggests, hardscape refers to the hard things present in your yard, such as brick, concrete, stone, etc. Softscape, on the other hand, includes soft stuff, such as bushes, plants, trees, etc. Softscape is made of living things, whereas the hardscape consists of non-living materials. Beautiful homes are those that can strike a balance between the hardscape and softscape. People fond of cars often turn their hardscape into magnificent driveways. While these driveways may seem impressive, they give a residential property a commercial flavor. Similarly, people fond of gardening fill up their outdoor space with gigantic trees and imposing bushes and shrubs, making their home look like a jungle. It is, thus, essential to not only strike the right balance between the hardscape and softscape, but care must also be taken to ensure one is not going over the top.

What Are Some of the Hardscape Elements?

To understand the clear difference between the two, let us dig a little deeper. Here are some of the things that fall under the purview of hardscape elements.

Hardscape refers to hard but movable things, such as paving, gravel, stones, etc. that fill the outdoor space.
Hardscape constitutes inanimate and non-living objects and thus, does not change with time.
Different types of hardscape materials impact the environment differently. For instance, pavements and stones do not let water get soaked into the soil and thus, increase runoffs, thereby increasing the chances of contaminants entering the water streams. Porous materials, on the other hand, allow water to get soaked into the soil and thus, reduce runoffs.
Other than stone, gravel, and pavings, patios, gazebos, decks, outdoor kitchens, and driveways are other common hardscape elements.
Hardscape elements can be both natural or humanmade.

What Are Some of the Softscape Elements?

Let us try and understand a little more about softscape elements.

Unlike hardscape elements, softscape elements are soft to touch.
Flowers, ground covers, shrubs, and trees make excellent softscape elements. However, since they are living objects, they evolve and change with time and thus, need proper care.
Softscape elements, such as trees and shrubs, are available in different sizes, textures, and shapes

Tips on How to Incorporate Hardscape and Softscape Features into Your Home

Here are a few tips to keep in mind while adding hardscape or softscape features to your home.

If you have a small house, use the vertical spaces for adding softscape features.
Add pedestals and container gardens to create the illusion of space in smaller homes.
Use hardscaping elements, such as a low retaining wall, to create extra space.
If you live in an area where the government has restricted water use, compelling you to reassess your outdoor softscape features, do not worry. You can continue to enjoy a beautiful garden by only making a few minor changes, For instance, if the water supply is an issue, consider replacing a few softscape features with hardscape elements. For example, you can replace the grass patch in your garden with hardscape materials, such as concrete, pavers, or granite. Add to this, some drought-tolerant plants. This way, you will be able to maintain a beautiful garden without needing too much water.

The Final Word

Softscape and hardscape features do not only add to the beauty of a home but also enhance its commercial value. We hope you will find our simple tips handy while adding hardscape and softscape features to your yard.