11 Unique Hardscape Ideas for Your Commercial Property

It’s an exciting time in the world of hardscaping as new designs and innovations have multiplied over the past few years. Whether you’re considering new hardscape construction or enhancing a portion of your current landscaping, today’s options mean you can get exactly what you want for your commercial property.

We’re going to get right to our list of eleven hardscape ideas for your commercial property.

But first, just a quick note to clear up the most obvious question—what is hardscaping? It’s technically defined as man-made features used in landscape designs, with two common examples being concrete patios and stone paver walkways. Many people think of live plants and vegetation, sometimes referred to as softscaping, as the opposite of hardscaping. 

While these elements are opposite ends of the landscape spectrum, the goal should be a properly blending the two to create ideal outdoor spaces for your residents, staff, and guests. 

We’ll talk about design principles that help accomplish that, but let’s get to those unique ideas we promised.

11 Hardscape Ideas To Make Your Property Stand Out 

1. Concrete Ping Pong Table
2. Raised Garden Beds with Stone Borders
3. Outdoor Kitchen
4. Hammock Garden
5. Multi-Level Patios
6. Outdoor Movie Area
7. Custom Stone Benches
8. Garden Bridge
9. Dog Wash Station
10. Custom Paver Patterns
11. Outdoor Bar with Built-In Fireplace

Could that list have gone even further? Absolutely. 

In fact, look for bonus hardscape ideas at the end of this article. One note on number four, the hammock garden, in case you’re unfamiliar with this trendy concept.

We first noticed this hardscape idea cropping up in parks in various regions of the U.S. Locals looking to unwind from the workweek would find a couple of shade trees and hook their hammocks up (often alongside family and friends). Some parks had limited trees. So, functional shade structures were added for people to hang their hammocks to daydream, nap, and recharge.

Attractive, Functional, Fun

As you can tell from the list above, hardscape areas are incredibly versatile. You want your outdoor areas to be visually pleasing and inviting. All hardscaping projects should check that box. And when you can add fun to the mix, your guests or employees are more likely to use these spaces.

Outdoor movie areas, ping pong, and outdoor kitchens offer different angles on fun activities. All three of those hardscape examples can lead to closer connections in the community and workplace. But each is unique in the type of enjoyment involved. Outdoor game spaces are more active areas, while movies and cooking help people bond in a more laid back fashion.

Bringing people together is an often overlooked function of hardscaping and landscaping. 

Yet, there are numerous additional benefits. For instance, a garden bridge can provide access to landscaped areas that might not be accessible otherwise (more on accessibility coming up). As for a dog washing station, this budget-friendly project would be a perfect addition to a neighborhood dog park or any mixed-use development. 

With a professional designer, these types of hardscape ideas will add beauty to your commercial property and help it stand out to people looking for fun and functionality right where they live, shop, or work.

Design Principals For Blending Hardscaping With Softscaping

There are companies that focus only on hardscape design and installation, and others focus only on softscapes (turf, plants, trees, etc.). At Yellowstone Landscape, we believe it takes expertise and experience in both areas to create the ideal outdoor spaces.

Below are a few design principles for achieving the perfect balance with softscape elements woven into hardscape features.

Material Selection

Choose materials that complement the natural surroundings and your buildings’ architectural style. Hardscape materials provide opportunities to showcase local themes and company branding. Natural stones, bricks, boulders, and concrete pavers add visual interest. 

Harmony

Too much of a good thing is possible. Avoid an overwhelming amount of hardscape elements that could produce an unnatural or “cold feel” in certain spaces. The flip side is excessive greenery to the point of giving a cluttered look and feel. A balance that appeals to all the senses is a good goal.

Layering and Textures

Creating depth is a core landscaping principle you can achieve by combining smooth surfaces with rough elements. Think concrete areas adorned with rougher stones or handsome wood structures. Enhance this vibe by installing various plant species of differing heights and using proper spacing.

Focal Points

Two common hardscape focal points are fire pits and water features. These hardscape elements are even being combined in a recent commercial property trend to maximize the use of outdoor space. There are countless other focal point options, with the core idea of attracting the most attention to a specific element.

Additionally, you’ll need to consider proper drainage and sustainable practices. The last thing you need is erosion or standing water due to poorly planned hardscape construction. And you want to conserve as many natural resources as possible through native plant choices and eco-friendly materials designed to last.  

Keeping Hardscape Accessibility In Mind

Of course, your landscape provider should ensure all hardscape projects adhere to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards, local building codes, and HOA guidelines. However, the core principle for outdoor spaces should be creating inclusive areas that go beyond minimum standards to ensure everyone can enjoy these desirable spaces.

Consulting local building officials is a good first step with any hardscape idea you have in mind. They can often provide guidance on ADA standards, too. When choosing a provider, it’s wise to select a hardscape company with plenty of design experience on a variety of commercial properties, including municipal properties. 

Don’t forget to include stakeholders with disabilities in the design process whenever possible.

Key accessibility features to focus on are below:

• Pathways at proper widths
• Firm surfaces that offer stability and slip-resistance 
• Ramps should adhere to a maximum slope 
• Proper paver joint spacing

Also consider recent walkway innovations like “tactile paving.” These warning plates mark upcoming walkway transitions on streets, curbs, sidewalks, bus stops, etc. They’re designed to signal, through touch, that path conditions are about to change. This assists visually impaired people, those in wheelchairs, and even distracted walkers. 

Commercial Hardscaping Problems To Avoid

Yellowstone Landscape knows property owners have to watch their bottom line closely. That’s why we design with their budgets top-of-mind and focus on long-term savings for our customers. Preventing common hardscape problems achieves this while reducing future maintenance needs.

Five of the top hardscaping problems you want to avoid are below:

1. Sinking pavers and concrete: Unsightly and creates safety issues down the line. 
2. Concrete cracking: The causes include inexperienced installers, tree or shrub roots, and de-icing products.
3. Weeds and moss between pavers: Improper gaps in paver walkways or courtyards leave room for undesirable greenery to pop up in your hardscape. 
4. Limited foresight for surrounding landscape: All landscape elements near hardscaped areas can potentially impact those spaces. Constant shade can cause mildew on stonework, and leaves can accumulate in 90-degree corners, as examples.
5. Uneven surfaces: Poor installation might be hidden initially, only to appear months later as pavers shift and become unstable on walkways and patios. 

Other hardscaping concerns commercial property managers might face are soil compaction, poor structural integrity, and planters that aren’t durable. 

Yellowstone Landscape’s Approach to Hardscaping

Our company uses the same comprehensive approach to hardscapes as we do softscapes. It begins with solid communication between our designers and property managers. Our best ideas can only come to life once we understand the property manager’s vision for the project. 

With that understanding, our designers get to work on hardscapes that enhance the plant materials already on the property, while complementing the existing architecture. Of course, we’re often called on to design a new landscape that incorporates both hardscaping and softscaping. 

We have vast design experience and some of the most capable installation crews in the industry. Additionally, Yellowstone makes every effort to reduce future maintenance costs for our customers. And when we’re in charge of the landscape maintenance, we do regular hardscape check-ups just as we do on your turf, plants, and trees. 

This prevents small issues from ballooning into large hassles or safety hazards for your residents, employees, and guests. An example of this? Our arborists keep your valuable trees thriving, plus they can help our landscape designers plan to avoid hardscape damage from root intrusion.

Conclusion

Now you have some solid tips for planning your new hardscape project and choosing a qualified provider that has deep hardscape construction knowledge blended with professional softscape experience. Plus, you have those eleven unique hardscape ideas above to spark your imagination.

Just remember that all hardscaping should incorporate visual appeal, be functional, and offer enjoyable experiences to your entire community. We provided several hardscape design principles to guide you toward those goals, with the main principle being the fusion of softscape and hardscape elements.

Hopefully, those common problems we pointed out will save you from any hardscaping pitfalls. As for the ADA requirements, we provided a good baseline. However, the detailed ADA requirements can be complex and a tough read, as you know if you’ve tried to read through lengthy government websites before. 

That’s where a trusted landscaping provider with vast regulatory experience is valuable. Yellowstone Landscape would like to share our expertise with you to enhance your hardscaping or create a brand-new project together. Contact us for a consultation today.

And if you’ve read all the way to here, we’re offering a bonus list of some of our recent hardscape example projects below:

• Pizza Oven Station
• Permeable Surface Parking Lot
• Flagstone Pathway
• Outdoor Amphitheater with Tiered Seating
• Decorative Retaining Walls
• Garden Wall Planter
• Artistic Bicycle Parking Structure
• Water Feature
• Cobblestone Driveway
• Unique Stamped Concrete 
• Pergola with Lighting
• Elevated Wooden Boardwalk
• Gravel Fire Pit Patio
• Floating Steps
• Outdoor Shower for Pool
• Splash Pad
• Outdoor Fitness Zone with Sustainable Surface