Expert masonry can transform a backyard from ordinary to an exceptional space made just for you. A beautiful patio along with a few key features could be just what you need to enjoy being outdoors more whether it’s relaxing, entertaining, playing with the kids, or even moving your home office outdoors for a few months. Curious as to which features will make your outdoor living space exactly what you want? A mason may suggest these elements for your paver patio project in the Peterborough, NH area, for a patio that is both practical and aligned with your design aesthetic.
Related: 7 DESIGN IDEAS A LANDSCAPER WOULD RECOMMEND FOR HOMES IN THE PETERBOROUGH AND AMHERST, NH, AREAS
Fire Features
One of the best ways to ensure you get maximum enjoyment from your patio is to add a fire pit, outdoor fireplace, or fire pit. Fire has an almost magical ability to draw people to it - no matter the weather. No other feature (except maybe a hot tub) will get you outdoors in the chill of late fall or even winter.
A mason can craft a custom fire feature exactly how you like it. Want to gather around the fire, campfire-style, with a group of good friends? Go for a fire pit. Want to make a grand statement and make your patio feel as cozy as your living room? Go for a custom outdoor fireplace. Want to take entertaining to the next level? Elevate your fire pit to a coffee table or bar height, and create a chic space to share appetizers and cocktails while warding off the evening chill.
Water Features
Few sounds are more delightful than that of moving water. Water features, whether naturalistic, ornate, or minimalist, bring a wonderful mix of tranquility and drama to your patio. Some masonry features can become water features: a retaining wall or pillar can become a focal point thanks to cascading water. Depending on the style of water feature you desire, your mason could artfully place mortared stone, natural boulders, dry-stacked stone slabs, or poured concrete to customize the sounds and sights of water for the ambience you want.
Retaining Walls
Natural stone retaining walls often become a true work of art. Each individual stone must be placed just right to fit snugly against its neighbors. A well-built wall looks like it’s been there forever. A wall can feature personal touches that make it special: niches for artwork, built-in seating, built-in light fixtures, steps, or planters. Terraced retaining walls could give you significantly more usable space while providing an opportunity to introduce more greenery into your patio area - culinary herbs, fragrant shrubs, annual flowers… The choices are endless.
Steps and Walkways
When it comes to changing elevations in a multi-level outdoor living space, a mason can achieve a naturally relaxed atmosphere by using large, irregular stone slabs to create natural steps. Or, precisely cut natural stone or concrete pavers could be used to transition between “outdoor rooms.” If you have a remote patio space (such as a fire pit area), connect it to the rest of your outdoor living area with a gorgeous brick or paver walkway in a traditional laying pattern such as herringbone, for an elegant touch.
Pillars
Pavilions are essential patio features that offer shelter from the unpredictable New Hampshire weather. Give them a more substantial presence by setting the support posts on top of natural stone pillars (or concrete pillars clad in a stone veneer). This will help tie your shelter structure in with the rest of the masonry on the patio - and they’re an opportunity to add landscape lighting to create a pleasing ambience without harsh overhead lighting.
Related: 5 LANDSCAPING IDEAS TO IMPROVE YOUR HOME'S CURB APPEAL IN HOLLIS AND AMHERST NH AREAS
