If your yard is looking a little bland, there are a variety of ways you can spruce it up. While new plantings can be an obvious and simple solution, adding a new hardscape, or replacing a hardscape that is not aging gracefully, can provide a nice, year-round foundation for creating interest in your yard.

Popular options for hardscape surfaces include the following:

Patios
Patios create the perfect space for enjoying the outdoors. Whether you have room for a small patio or a large one, the key is making sure the materials and style are in harmony with your home. For example, if your patio has trim or other material used along the edges, make sure those coordinate with the materials and color of your home. Patios can be built beautifully with pavers. Pavers give the added benefit of multiple colors and sizes so you can get a really custom look.

Walkways
Adding a walkway to your yard is a great way to combine function and beauty. Walkways can be constructed from different materials such as wood, stone, pavers, and concrete. Think about your yard. Where are your beaten paths? Are there places that get particularly soggy during the rainy months? A walkway with a few gentle curves or softened edges with fragrant plants can add a lot of charm.

Decks
Decks can be a great addition if you have a larger yard, creating a space for overlooking your pool, pond, lawn, etc. Decks are most commonly made from different varieties of wood, but several engineered materials are available, too. Depending on the size and height of your deck, you may require a railing. Again, you have several options that can create a variety of effects. For instance, you can opt for traditional wood rails, sanded knobby wood rails, cables, glass and post, etc.

Seating Walls
If you have children who like to play in the yard, or if you simply enjoy sitting outside to take in the fresh air, a seating wall can be a nice addition. Seating walls can be made with a combination of blocks and paver caps, natural stone, and you can even incorporate lighting. Lights built into a seating wall set the stage for an evening feature for your yard. Another fun idea for a seating wall is to create one with different heights so guests of all sizes can have their own special space.

Driveways
Concrete makes a fine driveway, but if you want to up the 'wow' factor, a paver driveway can be just the answer. You can choose from a variety of colors for the main surface and even add a contrasting color for a nice edge. Line the driveway with some low shrubs and you will have the nicest driveway on the block.

Retaining Walls
If you have followed us for any amount of time you know we are fans of retaining walls. Not only do they create functional space for your yard (or keep it from eroding away), they also make for amazing backdrops for different water features and climbing plants, as well as creating space for adding things like outdoor fireplaces, wood fire ovens, and other decorative plant nooks. Retaining walls are most traditionally made from concrete blocks that come in different colors and shapes, natural stone, and also pressure treated lumber with a nice finish.

At Graham Landscape & Design, we have an exceptionally talented team of design and construction professionals. Our team can meet with you to discuss your specific needs, explore ideas, and construct a project perfect for your space. Give us a call today at (541) 729-8029.

There are many reasons why you might be considering a retainer wall for your property, but before you start planting stakes and laying down materials, there are a few things you will want to take into consideration first. A little planning up front can help steer you away from a big investment that you ultimately regret or wish you could do over.

Tips for planning your retainer wall:

1. Consider the aesthetics of the wall. Does the retaining wall match your lifestyle? Beyond being utilitarian, retaining walls can make grand statements and help create a beautiful outdoor living space.
   
   
2. Walls do not have to be in straight lines. If you want to make your retaining wall more interesting or a softer part of your landscape, consider using curves. An easy way to accomplish this is by laying out a long rope to get a sense of the curve you would like for your design.
   
   
3. The bigger the wall, the more you will need to plan. For instance, if your wall is going to be taller than about four feet, you may need to consult an engineer to make sure the height can bear the weight. Also, if your wall is too tall, you might be in violation of building codes. Checking on these two items will save you from costly headaches.
   
   
4. If you want to save time and have an easier installation, consider using manufactured blocks or stones. One of the biggest benefits for using this type of material is that you will have uniform sizes which makes measuring and placement of each piece much simpler. Another bonus is that these materials come in a variety of colors and finishes so your wall can be customized to fit with your landscape.
   
   
5. Like any built structure, a strong foundation is key. Make sure you take the time to properly prepare the base for your wall. If your base is uneven, your wall will be, too.
   
   
6. Plan for proper drainage. When your wall has a sloped surface, more water will collect at the base. To avoid this, make sure you include extra drainage at the base and make sure you include some type of filter so you won't have to dig out any clogs.
   
   
7. Critical to having a long-lasting, steady wall is making sure you keep it level throughout the entire construction process. Just because you measured before you began building doesn't mean things didn't shift as stones or blocks are placed. A good tip is to check your levels with each layer of your wall.
   
   
8. Support is important while your wall is under construction. Imagine building a free-standing wall without support — it won't take much to make it tumble. If you instead backfill as you build each level, your wall will have greater support.
   
   
9. Terracing can help make your wall feel less ominous. Terraces are gradual step ups in height. When you apply this to your retaining wall, you create the sense of a large space and you increase the amount of plantable square footage for a nice variety of vegetation.
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10. Last, but not least, don't be afraid to decorate your new retaining wall. Too often people choose to keep their walls quiet — and that's fine. But, imagine the fun you can have with paint or plants integrated into the final surface. The possibilities are endless.

Of course, you can opt to build a retaining wall on your own. But, if this seems like too much to handle or more than you would like to take on, give your team of experts a call. We have built retaining walls for homeowners across Eugene, Springfield, and the surrounding areas. The professionals at Graham Landscape & Design can be reached by calling 541-729-8029.

If you're looking to add a hardscape to your backyard, one of the common materials used are pavers. Pavers come in all kinds of colors and can be paired nicely with other materials to create one-of-a-kind designs. However, most people are not familiar that there are different kinds of paver systems with permeable pavers being the more environmentally friendly choice.

Traditional pavers are laid over layers of stone and polymeric sand and feature tight joints so that when compacted, the pavers are set together. If stone dust or limestone screenings are used, there is a higher likelihood of trapping water and causing early failure of your pavers.

Permeable pavers, on the other hand, are laid on multiple layers of crushed stone, and the joints between each paver are filled with smaller aggregate. This design allows water to instantly drain through the joints and percolate through the layers of aggregate below, where any impurities are trapped before water seeps into the ground and returns to local waterways. To create the ultimate sustainable patio, driveway or walkway, a permeable paver system can be designed to collect and recycle rainwater for irrigation and other purposes.

And, depending on where your home is located, there may be grants or tax incentives available for installing permeable pavers or a water harvesting system, which makes the idea of installing a permeable patio, walkway or driveway all the more attractive.

If you would like more information about installing a permeable paver hardscape for your home, please give the Graham Landscape & Design team a call today. 541-729-8029

We recently had the pleasure of working with homeowners living just north of Vida, along the McKenzie River. They wanted to transform their backyard into a riverfront oasis. Together, we worked with the family to design a beautiful paver patio, complete with an outdoor built-in BBQ, fire pit, seating wall, viewing bench overlooking the river, and natural stone pathway.

If you are a homeowner living in the Eugene-Springfield area (or nearby areas), give the Graham Landscape & Design team a call. We love to create outdoor living spaces your family can enjoy. 541-729-8029

Having a truly unique backyard was of utmost importance for this Eugene, Oregon homeowner. The challenge for our team was how to integrate a unique play space for their children with the desire for an artistic feel. Through collaboration, we designed an underground play area and a sunken trampoline that the children could enjoy. Then, we covered the structure with a high-grade artificial turf, giving it an easy-to-maintain finish with an artistic aesthetic.

To further accomplish the artistic feel of the backyard, we extended a mosaic of concrete rectangles from the back patio to "make it look like it's exploding into the yard."

This Eugene family now has a fun, and easy to maintain space they can enjoy for years to come.

If you live in the Eugene and Springfield area and have an idea for your backyard, give our design team a call. We're always up for a fun challenge! 541-729-8029

There are many options when it comes to adding hardscape features to your landscape. This blog series focuses on a different landscape feature each time and will help you determine the best materials to use for each type of project. In this second blog of the series, we will explore two of the most popular options for retaining walls. This article should help you make a more informed choice when you are ready to pick your materials. 

Blocks
When it comes to building a retaining wall, the most common 'go to' material used is pre-formed blocks. Blocks offer several advantages including lower cost, uniform sizing making planning easy, a variety of colors and finishes, and quicker installation. Maintenance of a retaining wall made from blocks is fairly minimal — you can choose to add a sealant if you'd like and you also add capstones to create seating for lower walls. The only drawback is that while a block wall provides that 'clean' look, it can also be a bit boring if you're into walls with character. Blocks are readily available and can help you get your retaining wall finished and checked off the 'to do' list in short order. 

Natural Stone
Natural stone is another common material for building retaining walls. While natural stone can be a tad more expensive, it's durability and character are second to none. Natural stone, when used for retaining walls, allows for interesting spaces between pieces where you can add moss, succulents, or other crevice-loving plants. Like blocks, you can choose stone in a variety of colors and textures, and you can also arrange them in ways possible to allow for seating. Working with natural stone can be more involved, requiring more planning, but the result is a beautiful, one-of-a-kind wall sure to be a gem in your landscape.

Of course, there are other materials you can consider for your retaining wall, and we're happy to explore those options with you. Our team of experts can help weight the pros and cons of each option and help you choose the material that's right for your application. For more information about retaining walls, please give us a call. The professionals at Graham Landscape & Design are here to make sure you have the tools to make the best decision for your home. 541-729-8029

Graham Landscape & Design in Eugene, Oregon designed and built this cohesive hardscape including the paver patios, pathways, steps, and retaining wall for this Eugene area home. The residents were thrilled to make better use of their hillside yard.

Graham Landscape & Design in Eugene, Oregon designed and installed this simple yet elegant paver pathway and pool deck, adding beauty for this Eugene area home.

Graham Landscape & Design in Eugene, Oregon designed and installed this custom paver patio and walkway plan along with a very special Oregon State Beavers fan fire pit and cover. Even though Eugene is home to the Oregon Ducks, we can still support our Beavers brothers and sisters.