When putting together ideas for sprucing up your clients’ backyard, you can take inspiration from the styles and aesthetics of the past, or look forward as technologies and availability of materials shape the trends in design. To achieve a fresh, modern look for a backyard in the Lancaster and State College, PA areas, here are four trending materials to look for in our landscape supply.
The chic-industrial look that many are choosing for their backyards is likely one of the first styles that come to mind with the word “modern.” The long, sleek, minimalist lines aren’t just for new homes; they actually complement almost any other design aesthetic. Many landscape designers and architects believe that the industrial look lends a welcome contrast to rustic outdoor spaces. The industrial look favors a matte finish that serves as a backdrop for various colors, textures, and forms throughout the landscape.
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Porcelain Tiles
One common misconception about porcelain is its fragility. This is proven wrong in the tile world, which has been using porcelain to create hardscapes for centuries. Porcelain proves to be a durable and versatile material for today patios and walkways. The tiles are typically made in squares with clean, perfect lines and come in a variety of colors and patterns. It’s very common to see porcelain tiles in outdoor patios at restaurants and cafes because of their durability and water resistance (which makes them easy to clean).
Silky, Matte Pavers
Pavers with a silky matte texture add a sense of modern grandeur to a landscape. This trend features a subtly speckled appearance, creating a complex field of color that could come from chips of real granite, quartz, and marble particles. A silky matte texture adds modern flair to any space, and it’s a great alternative to natural stone or concrete pavers with a flat finish. These pavers are designed to make a patio, walkway, or pool deck a surefire success. They pair well with stainless steel appliances and a poured concrete countertop to top off that industrial look.
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Large Format Pavers
Large format pavers (such as 24” squares) typically feature neutral colors that make them suitable for any design aesthetic. The large sizes can be ideal for patios, pool decks, and walkways as they allow for clearly defined lines and help to reduce the feeling of clutter that some landscapes tend to have. While they are large, they impart a feeling of spaciousness and serenity in diminutive backyards or meditation spaces.
Small Format Pavers
To achieve that rustic old-world look of a small European town, small pavers and bricks can be used to make a richly detailed, textured walkway, patio, or driveway. These pavers keep the vibe warm and cozy, especially with their variance in natural colors, which can range from muted to bright. The shape of the pavers vary greatly as well and can range from clean straight lines to jagged and diagonal, adding tons of personality to an outdoor living space. The biggest draw to using small format pavers is that they can often be laid in a variety of patterns for added visual interest.
Photo courtesy of Unilock.