Editors Note: This is a guest post written by Firth

Whether it's a rental or your own home, great outdoor spaces are a major attraction for any property.

Renovations, big or small, can be a great way to increase the value of a property, with the ability to add significant value through relatively minor changes.

When it comes to creating indoor/outdoor flow and great outdoor spaces, hardscapes can add some real form, structure and practicality to your garden. Hardscape is the term given to paths, patios, steps, retaining walls and anything that uses a hard material.

Hardscaping can give a solid framework for gardens, enhancing their beauty and making them a feature. Planters raise up plant beds and create drama, while walls and concrete stepping stones can form areas of interest and make the area look larger by changing the perspective.

Paving

Firth’s range of pavers and retaining walls can change an outdoor space into an appealing, useful area and it doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult to achieve.

Consider pavers from Firth’s Designer Series to achieve a more contemporary look. The Designer Series offers an inspiring high-end residential honed paving range that allows you to achieve a premium finish that is complementary in size and colour, offering more flexibility and creativity. Or choose from the very successful EcoPave Permeable Paving Collection to suit a more traditional look across a wide area.

Paving or concrete patios can be used to create that very desirable outdoor BBQ area just in time for summer. Using Paving Calculator you can decide what paver you can work out how many you will need.

Retaining

Firth retaining walls are perfect for creating a landscaping feature wall, garden edges, or to level off an area to establish a lawn. With the wide range of Firth Retaining Wall and Fence options your design possibilities are virtually endless. 

How to Build a Retaining Wall
This video will show you exactly how to create your own retaining wall without calling in the professionals!

Not Just Any Concrete!
Then there is Firth Decorative Concrete™ which allows concrete to have colour, patterns, honed or exposed aggregate finishes and incorporate bricks and pavers. Concrete no longer needs to be just grey. Firth Designer Concrete can transform any path, driveway or patio and can be laid in a variety of colours, shapes and finishes to create the look you are after.

So when it comes to landscaping, don’t put it in the too hard basket. Talk to Firth today on 0800FIRTH1 or go to www.firth.co.nz. You can also check out Firths range for yourself at Home Ideas Auckland. 

firth.co.nz