X Landscaping Features That Masons Recommend to Homeowners for Next Spring in Cortlandt Manor and Croton NY Areas

Today’s outdoor living is a harmonious blend of function and beauty that reflects the homeowner’s aesthetics and needs. Even cookie-cutter suburban homes often have dramatically different outdoor living spaces. Some spaces will stand the test of time and add value to the home. To help you define your next outdoor project, here are __ landscaping features that masons recommend to homeowners for next spring in Cortlandt Manor and Croton, NY, areas.

Private Retreats

Privacy and serenity are vitally important in today’s busy and hyper-stimulated world. Everyone needs to retreat to nature, and what better place to do so on a daily basis than in your own backyard?

A retreat should offer plenty of space for the activities you enjoy, as well as privacy. Even in an active family with young kids who need room to run, it’s possible to create a wonderful getaway space in an otherwise unused side yard. Privacy fencing, a paver patio, a small water feature (to disguise the sounds of the world) and a hammock or comfortable seating is all you need for a private retreat. If you have teenagers or preteens, they can enjoy their own private retreat on the other side of the home - away from parents, but close enough for you to keep a discreet eye on them.

A Welcoming Front Entry

Many homes feature boring entrances, especially now that they typically enter the home through the garage, but curb appeal will always be important. There’s no reason to make the front yard boring. A beautiful new paver driveway and walkway can completely transform your front yard. New boxwood hedges along the walkway (on the outside of the walkway, not as foundation plantings) and new light fixtures will give your front entry a fresh appeal.

As a bonus, some paver driveways can be installed as permeable to allow water to seep into the ground rather than running off. And, paver driveways are compatible with driveway heating systems which means significantly less work for you in the winter. Overall, the look will be neater and more upscale.

Paver Patios and High-End Kitchens

Outdoor living is an extension of your indoor lifestyle. That is, it can be, if you use the right materials. Concrete pavers are becoming increasingly popular as a way to achieve the timeless look of natural stone, without the installation hassle and upkeep. Paver patios and outdoor kitchens will give your backyard a chic look.

You don’t need a professional level outdoor kitchen to achieve a more sophisticated look. You could consider simply adding a veneer to your existing grill station, and adding a peninsula bar and a pizza oven. This L-shaped configuration makes for easy traffic flow and entertaining opportunities while doubling your prep space.

Pergolas or Pavilions

One of the biggest deterrents to using an outdoor space is inclement weather. If you find that you’re being forced indoors a little too often, a pavilion (with a solid roof) or a pergola (which offers sun protection) installed over part of your patio is the ideal solution. Adding masonry pillars to an outdoor structure gives it a sophisticated feel and helps to tie it in with the rest of the hardscape.

A Fire Pit Area

A fire pit peninsula off the main patio is one of those “I wish I’d done this sooner” upgrades that will make you want to be outdoors as much as possible. A fire pit is more relaxed than an outdoor fireplace, and allows for more people to gather together to share conversation on chilly nights under the stars.