The ideal landscape plan has both growing plants and hardscape elements that allow you and your family to physically enjoy the beauty of your outdoor spaces. Patios, walkways and paths are the elements that give you that access. A path or walkway let you move around and enjoy every corner of your home’s landscaping, while a patio or deck invites you to stay for a while, take time to be refreshed in your own "oasis."

Hardscapes tell visitors that your outdoor spaces have been planned and thought through with just as much love and care as your interior décor and furniture. Decks, patios and walks are proof that your home doesn’t end at your door but extends – and beckons -- outside, where all are invited to come and enjoy.

Oriental styled stairs create gentle slope while adding dramatic angles and exterior lighting.

Plan and budget

One of the best ways to begin shopping for a contractor is to check with neighbors and at local construction projects for names of licensed professionals. Many new housing tracts will feature a sign advertising the services of the landscaping contractor.

Ask potential contractors for references and get at least three bids on your job. Make sure those estimates include permits, fees and any final county or city inspections needed. Estimates should be detailed and include minor items like hardware.

As a general rule, add 20 percent to your budget for changes and additions to your plan. Make sure this is factored in to any estimate. A landscape designer’s fee is money well spent. He or she will help you estimate the cost of your landscape plan with professional knowledge that can help reduce delays, fees and hassles.

Your landscaper should be able to calculate the total cost of all materials, hardware, plants and labor, within a given range. Labor typically makes up about 40 percent of your landscaping costs.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about materials and costs. You should be comfortable with any changes needed and not feel forced into a decision that isn’t right for your landscape needs.

Remember to make sure you and your contractor shop the best materials for your area, since many vary by region and economy; for example, areas with heavy recycling efforts may have lower prices on plastic lumber, whereas regular lumber may cost more in the Southwest, where wood has to be shipped greater distances.

Make sure any contracts you agree to and sign include a deadline for work completion and allow for your own inspection to verify the quality of work and materials. Check that your contractor agrees to remove debris at the conclusion of your landscape project.

Before work begins, make sure your landscaping areas are prepared for construction by making provisions for the removal of old structures and clearing other debris that may hamper or block the work area.

Decks

Do you prefer a deck or a patio? The answer might well depend on how steep or rocky your lot is. In rural areas where homeowners may prefer a more rustic, natural look, a deck works well by letting you leave the land the way it is.

Wood decks usually incorporate natural colors and connect a home directly to its surroundings. Materials include treated deck lumber, redwood, cedar and man-made or plastic lumber.

Decks that are built well are generally quite durable; they also help "tame" rough slopes and they give you an SUV-like vantage point, encouraging you to visually indulge in the beauty of your greenscapes. For more details on deck-building, see Fences, Decks & Arbors.

Brick-topped wall and shade tree define barbecue patio area.

Patios

The Spanish and the Mexican cultures gave us patios because they understood how pleasant a cool evening outdoors could be in hotter climates, where life begins as the workday ends and the sun retreats. Latinos have traditionally designed outdoor patios with indoor-style amenities like fireplaces, ovens and benches for gathering ‘round. Shady walls and surrounding garden elements naturally connect the living space with the outdoors.

If space, slope and budget permit, patios can give a more formal, more permanent feel to your landscape master plan. Never have there been more materials to choose from and the list grows every day, so you don’t have to settle for a no-personality gray concrete patio.

Here are some types of materials your landscape designer will be glad to show you:

--Interlocking pavers are growing the fastest in popularity. Flexible in design, they come in a spectrum of colors and styles, can be easily repaired, and require little or no maintenance.

--Traditional masonry, like brick, fired tile and natural stone are popular premium materials for creating a beautiful custom patio.

--Use both wood and masonry to vary the texture and color of your patio area; you might even consider creating different levels, varying the materials for each one.

--Don’t overlook poured concrete; today’s concrete is available in colors and molded-in patterns. Adding tile work can enhance and accent outdoor areas (nothing is more durable or color-stable than tile); the possibilities are as varied as your imagination.

A deck or patio can be a complex project, so seek out a landscape professional with plenty of experience in creating them. You will first want some ideas, so ask to see your contractor’s portfolio – and drive through newer neighborhoods that feature professionally done landscape and patio designs to see both what appeals to you and meets your needs. Visit an historic district of your choice to view authentic details. Your local library has books and videos on the subject, while the Internet will provide literally hundreds of ideas and creative tips that can help you select the perfect patio location and materials.

Check with your local planning department for information on required permits, setbacks, materials, and safety considerations, and make sure your contractor is bonded and insured, so that if problems occur during construction you are covered.

Walkways

Heading down the garden path isn’t just a cliché; it’s a phrase that speaks volumes about the wonderful allure of well-planned landscaping. You want your outdoor greenscapes to beckon to you, to appeal to the kids, grownups, cats and other wild creatures in your life. Plug in the perfect set of paths and walkways, using your own wild creativity and you’ll make it happen.

Traffic and use dictate the width of your walkway. Four feet of width is enough to walk side-by-side, for instance, but overall, a walkway is wider and more formal than a path. Poured concrete has been the traditional material, but as more and more alternatives become available, plain concrete is yielding to ties, pavers, gravel and even tiles. The same materials you might consider for a patio are likewise excellent choices for your garden walkways, and a little planning effort can pay off in usability.

Everyone enjoys mysterious garden coves and corners that invite you to explore, but experts suggest limiting the number of meanders, especially if you are planning a main walkway that will get regular and frequent use, such as from a garage to your house. Take a good look at the area. Is the path you have in mind a place where people will probably walk? Curves and hills are interesting but if the path is too serpentine, people will take shortcuts.

Width and compatibility are key, generally a main walkway should be at least three feet wide, so everyone, including seniors and wheelchair users, can get around. While it may not be possible to avoid walkways along steep slopes or with many stairs, accessibility should play a role in your thinking. Make sure your landscape planner and contractor include edging to hold pavers, boards or gravel in place for smoother, more secure walkways.

Would certain materials and colors complement or clash with your home, or existing landscape or hardscape. Many homeowners want to enhance or improve existing landscaping, so use compatible materials.

Small Pathways:

By adding small paths to your landscape, more space and more landscape opportunities become available. That’s especially important on smaller lots, where space is at a premium.

Imagine a standard square back yard planted in grass; now replace the grass with a meandering wall and a gravel path that leads to a private corner gazebo surrounded by English Privets, and you’ve transformed your yard into an escape destination.

Paths enrich landscape access, turning a simple yard into a special place to which you can take a latte for a perfect mid-morning break.

Walkway alcove is the perfect setting for a secluded moment.

Close-cropped, level grass can make a basic pathway, but consider other plants that stand up to foot traffic.

For better weather performance and a woodland grove appeal, select small olive pea gravel. Tan bark, coarse-packed sand and redwood chips make inexpensive side path materials, and cedar shavings add a wonderful scent in wet weather. Rustic pavers along a grassy path add a bit more permanence without blowing your budget.

Smaller paths that are typically 18 inches to 2 feet in width should have enough room between shrubs so that when the plantings grow in, the path is still accessible.

Create a sense of mystery by curving paths out of sight behind hedges and bushes, and reward those who explore by placing – for example -- a bench and fountain in an end alcove.

Safety

Walkways and patios should be built level with surrounding terrain for easier mowing and maintenance, in addition to ensuring safe footing.

Transitions between steps should be well-spaced and avoid the use of materials that are too-varied (provoking tripping feet) or smooth (potentially slippery when wet). Stairs should be as wide as practical and standard in height and pitch.

Outdoor lighting enables you to enjoy your landscape and garden during the evening. New styles of wireless solar-powered LED fixtures have made placing illumination easier than ever. In traditional-style lighting, make sure to use longer lasting bulb types and fixtures that are weather protected.

Here are some other general safety tips:

--Sidewalks and walkways should be a minimum 36 inches wide, and wider at turns.

--Handrails should be provided at stairs and risers.

--Elevated paths should have 3-foot high guardrails.

--All walking surfaces and transitions should be level.

--Adequate, non-glare lighting should be used where required.

--Safety and security fencing should be part of your design.

--Storage should be provided for landscaping tools and other items that might cause injury.

--Surfaces should be free from standing water; adequate drainage areas should be provided.

The bottom line is that proper design not only enhances your landscape and green space experience, it reduces risk and the liability concerns that can accompany it.