Not just lawns and flowerbeds: 14 examples of hardscaping that will make your garden look amazing

Designing a garden doesn't mean just thinking about the layout of the greenery: in addition to arranging the flowerbeds, you can also do much more. And this can be achieved by using so-called hard materials. Cement, metal, rock and even wood can help beautify your garden. This is what so-called "hardscaping" is all about.

Check out the ideas below to find out how many ways a garden can be enhanced using the hardscaping approach:

One way to "make a good impression" is to use Corten steel - a material patented in the United States in 1933 and characterized by a very high resistance to corrosion and mechanical stress. Not only, therefore, is it eternal, but it has a truly splendid aesthetic which will enhance your garden.

A combination of concrete and corten steel is also ideal for purely decorative areas, such as tubs full of plants with metal as the artistic element.

Walkways of gravel and stone or concrete slabs that reflect the Japanese style: a modern and refined alternative to the usual paving steps.

Natural stone is perfect for hardscaping projects, especially when it comes to making stairways!

Rustic wooden planks that line a living room floor can be delightful, elegant and aid relaxation.

And what if the steps leading out of each French door all joined together to create sitting spaces with colorful cushions?

White walls, logs and stones for a shady space that has all the style of a Mediterranean island.

Geometries that alternate: all the movement is given by angular lines, and the result is stunning. Each material is exploited with taste!

If leaving room for "hard" materials takes away from greenery, vertical walls can be turned into gardens!

The combination of concrete and wood - to create a masonry living room - is softened by adding green details.

And you shouldn't neglect the furnishing accessories: cushions, blankets and upholstery in general will be the touches that perfect the look.

These spaces start as a square or rectangle of land, perhaps initially simply covered by a lawn. But then they become much more interesting!

In sunny places, where it makes sense to decorate with exotic plants, it's nice to have white-plastered concrete fixtures.

And amongst the symphony of resistant and hard materials, between natural and artificial ones, why not insert some water features?

There are so many ways you can improve your garden!