The “hard stuff” also known by garden designers as hard landscaping forms the bare bones of your garden. We are talking here about patios, paths, walls, and other structures such as pergolas that will be in your garden for decades. Material choices can feel endless and the terminology confusing.
So how do you choose materials that are beautiful, practical, and built to last for your garden, without the project becoming a costly mistake?
Why Hard Landscaping Choices Matter
Hard landscaping materials form the structure, flow, and usability of your outdoor space so choosing materials is an important element of any garden design project. They are your garden’s foundation.
As you would expect hard landscaping is a long-term investment. It is the most expensive part of any new garden build and difficult to change, so getting it right the first time is crucial.
Paving choices can also dictate the garden’s character with different materials being suitable for the intended style and location of your garden, be that contemporary, traditional, rural or suburban.
Chosen materials also need to be functional with safety, durability and maintenance borne in mind as well as being suitable for Aberdeenshire’s climate.
The Designer’s Framework: 5 Key Considerations
1. Your Home’s Architecture & Style: A garden designer chooses materials in collaboration with clients which complement or sensitively contrasting with your property. It’s important to choose materials that reflect the age and style of your house. Your hard landscaping should also suit the colours in and around your property for a cohesive look and feel.
2. Practicality and Function: At the early stages of a garden design project we also consider how the space will be used. Is your patio going to be used for outdoor dining? If so, for how many people, as this will define the size of your patio? What are paths going to be used for and who by as they need to be durable and wide enough for traffic? For example, a gravel path will not be suitable for a wheelchair user.
3. Site and Climate Suitability: It is also important to consider the suitability of materials for your particular garden site. For example, natural stone paving without a sealant can attract algae in a shaded position meaning that it will require regular maintenance so that it does not become slippery and unsafe to use.
4. Budget Reality: It is also important to be realistic about setting a budget for your garden design project especially if you are looking to incorporate a patio and path. You should NEVER believe the garden design and landscaping prices mentioned on certain TV Garden Makeover shows! Prices quoted on TV rarely include garden design fees. And when it comes to the garden build, labour is not included and material and planting costs are often heavily subsidised by suppliers who are hoping to advertise their products. A helpful guide to garden build costs is available on our blog. We also give an estimated costs of finished garden design projects on our portfolio.
5. Sustainability and Sourcing: It is also important to consider the environmental impact of hard landscaping materials you intend to use. It is worth talking to local suppliers to reassure yourself that materials have been manufactured by a company who nurtures their employees and respects the environment. Gerbera Designs recommends local suppliers CMD Stone, Caledonian Stone and GPH. You can visit these suppliers to see samples of hard landscaping materials in situ. Gerbera Designs can also source and deliver samples to your door.
Garden Material Options
Natural stone (sandstone, slate, limestone, granite) has timeless beauty, with unique variations. It is a material with a premium price tag and is extremely durable. However it will require sealing, using a breathable sealer which will be applied to a clean, bone-dry surface. This will be typically required every 1–3 years to prevent staining and algae growth. Natural stone will suit a traditional or contemporary style garden.
Porcelain tiles are a modern and durable material which is stain and scratch resistant. It is easy to clean. Porcelain is versatile and looks great in a contemporary style garden.
Concrete pavers are an affordable option and come in a huge variety of colour options and size. Quality can vary significantly so it is best to choose from the higher end of the range for longevity. It is a durable product and can mimic natural stone if a suitable colour option is chosen.
Gravel and aggregates are a budget-friendly option offering good drainage. However they are tricky for garden furniture to balance on. They create an informal look but do require an edging to contain them in a space.
Timber decking is a great surface for a natural look to your garden. It is also a great material for using where there are level changes. Natural timber decking can be styled to look sophisticated or it can be used to give a Scandinavian feel to your outdoor spaces. For durability it’s important to choose the correct timber and treatment for longevity.
Composite decking is ideal for damp gardens in comparison with timber decking as it is lower maintenance but it comes with a higher price tag that natural timber. Great for coastal gardens or where low maintenance is important.
Setts are perfect for edging and creating curves in a garden. They can be used to edge a lawn as a mowing strip in front of a border for easy maintenance. They can also be used as a contrasting material to edge a patio or path.
How Gerbera Designs Takes the Stress Out of Materials Selection
Curated Shortlisting: We narrow the overwhelming options to a considered few that will suit your project so that you are not working in the dark. As part of the design documentation we can estimate the quantity of hard landscaping materials so that landscapers can give you an accurate quote for the garden build.
Provide Samples: We can source samples which we can deliver to your door so that you can see them in your garden. You can keep them in your garden for a few weeks so that you can see how they look and behave under different light levels and weather conditions.
Local Supplier Knowledge: Access to the best materials from trusted local and national suppliers. We also recommend you visit local suppliers to see larger samples of hard landscaping materials in situ.
Design Cohesion: We design your garden and ensure every material works together in a unified, timeless scheme for your outdoor space.
Construction Expertise: We not only specify materials, but Gerbera Designs also provides construction drawings so that landscapers know how to build all the different hard landscaping elements in your garden.
Ready to Choose Materials with Confidence?
Take the guesswork out of your garden project. Book a consultation with Gerbera Designs for expert guidance on selecting the perfect hard landscaping materials or a full garden design for your Aberdeenshire home.
