Stone accents provide a myriad of benefits for garden rooms and landscape designs. In addition to connecting your home to its natural surroundings, stone materials add texture, color and visual interest. They’re also incredibly durable, so you benefit from both a low-maintenance landscape and hardscape features.

From pathway pavers and borders to larger rock outcroppings, stone is a versatile material. The following examples show how stone elements can be implemented into your garden room’s design.

Make it look natural. Stonework looks best when it appears naturally. Choose pavers and rock accents that look similar to the rock and stones in your garden. It will appear like your architectural features were designed around the stones, rather than the other way around. Also, look for stones with naturally occurring depressions that can serve as a birdbath or a flat ledge that can serve as a bench. This will enhance function, as well as aesthetics.

architects in Portsmouth NH

Design by TMS Architects

Leave boulders in place. Have you come across large boulders in your excavation? Consider leaving them in place or moving them to a location where they can be used for visual interest. The juxtaposition between a large boulder and flat pavers is stunning. Equally stunning is the look created by a jutting rock formation surrounded by soft flowers and foliage.

Think in curves. Use stone and rock work to create pathways, patios and borders that are more rounded that square. This is a more accurate representation of how trails and borders appear in nature. A meandering pathway through the garden is more interesting than one that cuts straight across. Plus, it will flow more easily with the surrounding landscape.

architects in coastal New England

Design by TMS Architects

Similarly, a small stone water feature can give the impression of a flowing stream bed by echoing nature’s design.

Consider form and function. In some cases, the form and function of your design will inspire the best stone accents. For example, a granite slab is an obvious choice for a bridge leading to the seating area of this peaceful rock garden surrounded by a moat and lush greenery.

What types of stone accents are included in your garden space? Is the use of natural stone carefully curated to enhance the look and feel of your garden? Leave a comment and share with us below!

Contact TMS Architects for assistance with your next renovation or new build. Our team can help you achieve the home of your dreams and will make sure no detail – from the smallest stone accent to the largest boulder – is left out.