Outdoor spaces are no longer just “nice to have.” For many homeowners, outdoor living is a lifestyle. Whether you’re planning a simple refresh or a complete transformation, the right hardscaping choices can completely elevate your space, from everyday practicality to jaw-dropping curb appeal.
What’s Trending in Backyard Design This Year?
The biggest shift we’re seeing this year at First Class Lawncare LLC isn’t just about materials or layouts. More and more people in the Wilmington, Delaware area want to stay home and enjoy their homes. Perhaps you're looking for outdoor spaces that invite you to slow down, entertain friends, spend more time with family, or recharge after a long day.
Backyards are becoming extensions of everyday living. A porcelain paver patio isn’t just a surface. It's where you drink your coffee every morning. A built-in kitchen isn’t just for summer parties; it’s your Friday night hangout. A fireplace is where memories are made. A pergola or patio cover allows you to take your lifestyle outside.
That’s why every detail matters. From the lighting and materials to the layout flow, you should choose outdoor upgrades that combine comfort, functionality, and beauty in a personal and lasting way. Let's take a look at your luxury hardscaping options.
The Foundation: Patios and Walkways
Let’s start with what every backyard really needs: a custom patio and maybe a walkway. The material you choose makes all the difference in both look and performance. Here’s what we’re recommending for our clients this year.
Porcelain Pavers
Porcelain pavers and outdoor patios are some of the projects we most frequently install. These pavers give you that sleek, high-end look, but they’re also stain-resistant and slip-resistant and hold up incredibly well in all kinds of weather. They're perfect for a polished, low-maintenance space.
Installing porcelain paver patios is one of our specialties. We often use travertine porcelain pavers for clients who love the natural stone look but want something a little easier to maintain.
Marble Pavers
If you’re looking to really make a statement, marble patio pavers or outdoor marble tiles offer a refined, upscale vibe that’s hard to beat. While they do need a little extra care, they’re unmatched in terms of visual impact and are perfect for dry areas or covered zones.
What type of pavers are best for a patio? It depends on your style, your space, and your maintenance preferences. During the design phase, we’ll help you choose the perfect fit.
The Showstoppers: Kitchens, Fireplaces, & Custom Features
We’ve found that every high-end outdoor living design includes at least one major focal point: something that creates function and adds that wow factor. When you're considering hardscaping costs, don't neglect to consider what you really want.
Outdoor Kitchens
These aren’t your average grill setups. Our hardscape outdoor kitchen builds include:
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Built-in grills, smokers, and even pizza ovens
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Weatherproof cabinets and countertops
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Sinks, fridges, and full bar areas
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Covered zones with lighting and storage
We’re experienced outdoor kitchen installers, and our clients consistently say their outdoor kitchen becomes their favorite part of the house. It's a little luxury and a lot of relaxation. Take a peek at our portfolio to see examples of what these may look like.
Outdoor Fireplaces & Firepits
Are outdoor fireplaces worth it? Absolutely. Not only do they add ambiance and warmth, but they also create a year-round destination right in your backyard. We build everything from modern ceramic outdoor fireplaces to rustic firepits integrated into the patio design.
Our team handles every aspect of fireplace installation services, ensuring they’re done safely, beautifully, and up to code.
Lighting and Decks
Lighting is often an afterthought, but we believe it should be part of the plan from day one. Good lighting extends the usability of your space, highlights your favorite features, and adds serious atmosphere once the sun goes down.
Outdoor Lighting Installation
Here are a few luxury lighting upgrades you can add:
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Pathway and step lighting
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Under-cabinet lights in walls or kitchens
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Ambient lighting around patios and pergolas
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Accent lighting for trees, structures, and architectural features
Lighting also improves safety, which is especially important when you’re using smooth patio tiles or materials around water features.
What About Decks?
What adds more value, a deck or a patio? The answer depends on your space and how you plan to use it. Concrete and paver patios generally last longer and require less maintenance. But that doesn’t mean decks don’t have their place.
Decks can be an excellent solution for raised areas, uneven terrain, or when you want to create multi-level outdoor zones. We’ve designed projects where a composite deck transitions beautifully into a porcelain paver patio, blending the best of both worlds.
Can't Forget Pergolas
A pergola or patio cover adds comfort, style, and just the right amount of shade to your outdoor space. It helps define the area, makes it feel more like a true extension of your home, and gives you the flexibility to enjoy the outdoors a little longer, whether you're relaxing solo or entertaining guests.
It's an upgrade that greatly changes how your space looks, feels, and functions from day to night, giving everything a shimmering luxury finish.
Our Process Meets Your Home
We love full-scope projects where we’re building from the ground up. It allows us to be intentional about layout, material selection, and how everything ties together. Here’s what working with us and using our fine-tuned process looks like:
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Site consultation and layout planning
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Material selections and visual previews
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Installation with expert craftsmanship
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Final walkthrough and maintenance tips
As your trusted hardscaping company, we bring experience to every detail, from structural work to finish selections. We hope these hardscaping assets can transform your backyard and your life.
Ready to Upgrade?
Whether you want to upgrade your outdoor living, add a patio with a firepit, or go all-in with a hardscape outdoor kitchen, we’re here to help. There's no shortage of benefits to hardscaping and we want you to experience them. Our team works across our service area to design and build outdoor spaces that feel like a natural extension of your home.
Contact Us
If you’re thinking about it, let’s talk. You dream it, we build it. Contact us today to learn more.
