When it comes to your outdoor living design, it's important to explore ideas that will help set your project apart from all the others in Northern Virginia. A lot of folks have outdoor living spaces but if you are going to invest, you want a modern landscape design that is truly one-of-a-kind.

Creating custom designs is our specialty. We talked to our designers and asked them to share some of their best high-end landscape and hardscape design ideas.

In this article, you can learn more about:

Upgrading to top-tier materials
Custom outdoor fireplaces and fire pits
Adding structures and features
Integrating the latest lighting technology
Creating the ultimate entertainment zone
Incorporating mature plantings

After reading this article, you’ll have plenty of outdoor living design ideas to start planning for your project.

Modern Landscape Design Ideas

If you’re investing in a new outdoor living area, you want to know you’re getting maximum enjoyment and value from your dollars spent. These ideas can help set you up for success.

1. Upgrading to top-tier materials

Spending a little bit more money on your outdoor living design can be the difference between standard or generic materials or product lines and stepping up to higher-end, top-tier options. This might mean natural stone choices, higher-end pavers, or even more exotic stones.

Of course, it’s also how you install these products that make a difference. You want to make sure that you’re working with a contractor who knows how to do high-end hardscape design work.

As far as hardscape design ideas, we suggest installing stones in specific patterns or as borders to create an original look. Working with a professional designer will also ensure they know how to combine materials artfully.

2. Custom outdoor fireplaces and fire pits

Another hardscape design idea is the custom creation (design and fabrication) of an outdoor fireplace or fire pit fueled by a dedicated run of natural gas. Or, if you prefer the smell (and sound) of real wood, that’s an option, too. We can use smokeless inserts for wood-burning fire pits.

Recently, we finished a design for a client that included a propane-powered fire bowl that was a really unique and fun addition to the outdoor living design.

Fireplaces can be stand-alone structures or can have wood storage boxes or additional seating around them. There are many ways to make your fire feature unique to you and your property.

3. Adding structures and features

While it’s easy to argue that the patio is the heart of the outdoor living space, it’s the addition of other modern hardscape features and structures that can really make the space complete.

It is important that these hardscape elements complement the overall design while also adding functional value and purposeful separation within spaces.

These additions can include (but are not limited to):

• Fencing
• Screening
• Colonnades
• Pergolas
• Water features
• Screened-in porches
• Decks

These types of features can help define spaces and create outdoor “rooms.” They also provide more usable outdoor living areas which truly help you to maximize the value of your property.

In addition, adding a water feature can help elevate a space and make it feel more calming. Nothing quite gives a sense of tranquility like the sound of running water in your outdoor space.

4. Integrating the latest lighting technology

By investing a little bit more in a modern landscape design, you can also ensure that your space is upgraded with all of the latest lighting technology.

Lighting can be effectively run via electronic controllers set to turn on and off at desired times.

In higher-end projects, these technologies can be taken even further to include single lighting bulbs that feature the capability to offer a range of colors (warm white to cool white to red, blue, green, etc.).

We can also incorporate zone control to highlight specific areas at different times. Dimmer switches can help you change the brightness.

Recently, we have installed strip lighting around fire pits which gives a really unique floating effect. This can also be used for sitting walls and steps.

We have also gotten more requests for bistro or “twinkle” lights. When professionally installed, landscape lighting can elevate a space.

5. Creating the ultimate entertainment zone

In an average outdoor living design, homeowners might add their portable grill or smoker to their new patio. But in an upgraded design, we take outdoor kitchens to the next level with appliances like built-in grills, dedicated smoker stations, integrated refrigerators, sinks, countertops, and drawers.

Just like the interior of your home, exterior elements can be finished in a wide variety of materials ranging from stainless steel to powder-coated surfaces to natural stone and more. Granite or custom-poured concrete countertops are also popular.

We can incorporate different height levels to the grill island or add an overhang of the countertop for bar seating.

Audio/visual elements are also becoming popular in modern landscape design.  Elements that were once considered “indoor-focused” are now making their way outside including high-tech sound systems, televisions, viewing/movie screens, and more. Incorporating these elements into your outdoor living design can make your backyard the ultimate entertainment zone.

6. Incorporating mature plantings

Finally, the softscaping (plants and lawn) around your hardscape design is often the finishing touch that helps tie everything together. In an average design, you might install young plants. But in a more high-end design, you can start with mature plantings.

The truth is, it takes time for newly installed plants to adapt, fill in, and eventually make the overall space look and feel established. This can take as long as 5 to 7 years when trying to reduce upfront costs and use smaller specimen plant materials at the time of initial installation.

In high-end installs, however, it’s not uncommon for much larger more established plant material to be sourced, especially for the anchor plantings. Examples of this can include trees that are 16’ or taller. These trees have rootballs so large (in excess of 4’) that they will require careful craning.

Choosing Hardscaping and Landscape Design in Northern VA

Hopefully, this article has given you some ideas to brainstorm the best outdoor living design for you. By working with a landscape professional in Northern Virginia, you’ll be able to take the burden off your shoulders and let them help.

They can mesh your ideas with their expertise and experience for a custom result.

At Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, we have the experience and the know-how to work on projects with these ideas and more. We are ready to help you get exactly what you want and need for your modern landscape design.

Are you ready for an outdoor living area that helps you enjoy your time to the fullest at your Alexandria, Arlington, or Springfield, VA home? If so, request your consultation, get your customized plan, and relax as you get the royal treatment.