Union Square & Co. Hardscaping: How to Use Structures, Pathways, Patios & Ornaments in Your Garden

Why I reached for this guide

I picked up this hardscaping guide after realizing my backyard plans were heavy on plants and light on structure. I wanted something that would help me think beyond flower beds and push me to consider how paths, patios, and focal points could shape the experience of the garden. This book didn’t try to turn me into a mason or a contractor; instead, it nudged my design brain in useful directions. I came away with a clearer plan, a stronger sense of “rooms” and circulation, and a more disciplined materials palette.

What the book covers—and how it’s organized

The content follows a logical arc: structures, pathways, patios, and ornaments. That framing turned out to be more than cosmetic; it’s practical. I could jump directly to patios when I needed to rethink a sitting area, then backtrack to pathways to solve how people would actually move through the yard. The sections are rich with photography, including before-and-after sequences and some during-construction snapshots, which helped connect design ideas to real-world execution. The visuals aren’t just eye candy—they do the heavy lifting of explaining proportion, alignment, and the relationship between hard and soft elements.

One of the most useful threads is the idea of dividing outdoor space into “rooms.” Even in a modest yard, the book made it clear how a few well-placed elements—an arch, a low wall, a change in paving—can create distinct zones with different moods and functions. I tested this thinking on my own plot, carving out a small dining patio, a planting-led quiet corner, and a narrow “journey” path that encourages a slow walk past a couple of specimen plants. The garden feels bigger without adding a single square foot.

Design guidance that translates

The strongest value is conceptual: how to use hardscape to clarify purpose and guide movement. A few takeaways that translated directly into my plan:

• Start with circulation. Sketch the primary and secondary routes, then locate patios and features off those lines. The book’s photos show how meandering paths can still be efficient if they connect real destinations.
• Limit materials. The examples that work best stick to two or three surfaces and repeat them. I pared my palette to one paving material, one edging, and one accent—suddenly everything felt intentional.
• Use edges thoughtfully. The interface between paving and planting is where gardens come alive. Seeing clean transitions—brick soldier courses, steel edging, or a tucked-in groundcover—made me reconsider how sloppy edges undermine otherwise good spaces.
• Anchor views. Ornaments, pergolas, water bowls, even a well-placed bench give paths a reason to exist. The book shows numerous ways to terminate sightlines so the eye doesn’t wander off into the neighbor’s fence.

Throughout, the captions and sequencing do the explaining rather than pages of text. If you process information visually, you’ll feel at home.

How practical is it?

This isn’t a step-by-step manual for laying base, calculating loads, or building retaining walls. There is practical advice sprinkled in—notes on placement, sequencing, and some construction snapshots—but the emphasis is design literacy rather than engineering. For my patio, I still needed to consult technical resources for base depth, drainage, frost considerations, and local code. The book helped me get the size, shape, and placement right; other sources told me how to build it.

If you’re planning a large terraced slope, tall walls, or anything that might require permits or engineering, you’ll need additional references or professional help. If you’re designing garden paths, modest-grade patios, arbor placements, and choosing accents that knit the space together, you’ll find plenty to work with.

Visuals and setting

The imagery leans toward mature, lush gardens—think temperate, moisture-rich settings with layered plantings and moss-softened stone. It’s beautiful and instructive, but if you garden in a hot, arid region, you may have to mentally translate materials and planting choices. The design lessons still apply—proportion, hierarchy, circulation, focal points—but the materials and planting palette in the photos often assume rainfall and shade. I adapted the ideas to decomposed granite, open-joint pavers, and drought-tolerant plantings without losing the spirit of the examples.

The before-and-after pairs are particularly helpful. Seeing the “blank canvas,” the construction phase, and the finished space makes it easier to imagine how a messy yard can evolve. A few projects include during-build images that show subgrade work or layout stakes, which I appreciated even if they weren’t exhaustive.

Strengths worth calling out

• Clear design framework. By separating structures, pathways, patios, and ornaments, the book helps you avoid common mistakes like building a patio without a plan for how you’ll approach it.
• Abundant, well-chosen photography. The photos do more than inspire; they reveal scale, edges, joints, and the interplay of hard and soft elements.
• Actionable concepts. Outdoor “rooms,” repeated materials, and anchored sightlines are ideas you can test on paper and in the yard the same weekend.
• Good for small to mid-size residential projects. The examples scale well to typical backyards without feeling out of reach.

Limitations to keep in mind

• Light on technical detail. If you need base depth by soil type, drainage design, or structural guidance for retaining walls, you’ll need additional sources.
• Climate bias. The imagery skews to cool, lush gardens. For dry or very hot climates, extra translation is required.
• Less coverage of large-scale grading and terracing. If your property’s challenges are primarily topographic, the book’s design focus may not be enough.

None of these are deal-breakers; they just define the role this guide plays in a project workflow.

Usability and build quality

As a first edition with 256 pages, the production quality is solid. The layout is clean, captions are clear, and the index is useful when you want to jump back to a specific topic. My used copy arrived in good condition—binding intact, pages clean—which matters because this is the kind of book you’ll flip through repeatedly as you refine a plan. It’s comfortable to read at a desk while sketching and easy to scan when you’re looking for quick visual cues on materials and layouts.

How I used it on a real project

For a paver patio and the connecting garden paths, I started with a simple bubble diagram of functions—dining, grill zone, a small herb bed—and sketched routes between them. The book’s emphasis on edges led me to use a contrasting border to frame the patio, which tidied the transition into planting. I also borrowed the idea of ending a path with a small, upright feature; in my case, a slender water bowl framed by grasses. Those two moves did more to elevate the design than any plant choice could have.

Before ordering materials, I re-checked the examples for scale cues—seat clearances, path width relative to plants—then supplemented with technical specifications from other sources to build it correctly. The finished space feels cohesive, and I credit this guide with helping me get the bones right.

Tips to get the most from this book

• Pair it with a technical reference if you’re building. Use this for planning and layout; use a contractor guide or manufacturer specs for construction details.
• Sketch as you read. Keep tracing paper next to the book and capture ideas immediately—materials limits, path alignments, and focal points.
• Translate materials to your climate. Swap lush plantings and water-hungry surfaces for regionally appropriate choices while keeping the design structure intact.
• Revisit the before/after sections mid-project. They help maintain perspective during the messy middle.

Recommendation

I recommend this hardscaping guide for homeowners and designers who want stronger garden structure without wading through dense technical manuals. It shines as a design companion: clarifying how to shape space, choose and organize materials, and create purposeful circulation and views. If you’re tackling heavy engineering, you’ll need to supplement it. But for turning an idea into a coherent plan—and for seeing how small, well-chosen hardscape decisions transform a garden—it earns a spot on the shelf.