Your outdoor space deserves to shine, and it all starts with a standout home exterior. Boosting curb appeal with patios, steps, and walkways not only guide visitors to your door, but they also shape your home’s first impression, add a sense of personality, and boost your property value. At Sound Hardscape & Design in Raleigh, NC, we have over 50 years of experience designing and developing custom outdoor spaces to elevate your home’s look and functionality, starting from the ground up.
Choosing the Right Elements
Every successful hardscape project begins with the right materials. With our expert guidance, we help you choose textures and tones that reflect your style and project goals in mind, all while holding up to North Carolina’s climate.
For patios and steps, top materials include concrete pavers, natural stone, and brick. Concrete pavers are durable, low-maintenance, and available in various colors. Natural stone is an elegant and timeless choice, but does require sealing for long-term durability. Brick offers a classic look with moderate maintenance needs.
When creating a walkway, popular materials include gravel, concrete, and stone. Gravel is budget-friendly, and comes in different sizes and colors to fit the aesthetic you are going for. Stone pathways add timeless beauty and exceptional durability, making them a standout feature in any landscape. Concrete offers clean lines and incredible versatility with a wide range of shapes, textures, and finishes to match your design vision. However, concrete can be prone to cracking over time, especially with North Carolina’s seasonal temperature fluctuations, shifting ground, or pesky tree roots growing underneath.
Ready to see what's possible? Explore our recent projects and discover how we turn outdoor spaces into stunning hardscape designs.
Design Tips to Elevate Your Outdoor Space
Once you have selected your materials, it is time to elevate your outdoor space with thoughtful design enhancements. Integrating landscaping, like shrubs, flowers, and ornamental grasses, can soften hard edges and create a balance of natural and man-made elements.
Strategic lighting not only improves safety but also adds a warm, inviting glow that transforms your patio, steps, or walkway into a magical and inviting focal point. If you are looking to add dimension, consider layering steps or a tiered patio layout to bring depth and character to your yard.
Set the Tone and Boost Property Value
Outdoor upgrades like patios, steps, and walkways set the tone for your lifestyle and are a smart investment. According to REALTOR® Magazine, a well-crafted exterior can boost your home’s value by about 7% compared to neglected outdoor areas. More importantly, these spaces make your home more livable. Think hosting a summer party with friends, family, and neighbors on the patio. The sun begins to set, and you take a peaceful walk along your garden path in your backyard.
Why Choose Sound Hardscape & Design?
At Sound Hardscape & Design, we believe hardscaping is more than just placing stone. It is about creating spaces that elevate how you live outdoors. We see patios, steps, and walkways as the heart of your backyard, serving as the foundation of a perfect retreat for grilling out, unwinding with a book, or sharing stories around the firepit. Let’s boost your curb appeal with custom patios, steps, and walkways, expertly designed to fit your space.