Landscaping is the essence of Houston home décor. 
With the subtle blend of hardscape and softscape elements, the essence of the home is turned inside out into realms of outdoor sense and sensibility. 

Hardscape elements such as patios, walkways, driveways, and terraces form the backbone of home décor.

Softscape elements such as gardens, trees, and lawns form the organic essence of the outdoor living experience with the very substance of Nature itself.

Of these many elements, patios and gardens are perhaps the two most important elements that contribute to Houston home décor. 

Patios are direct extensions of home architecture and link its geometry to that of the landscape proper. 
Anything from stone to brick to decorative concrete can be used as a direct corollary to the material build of the house.  This extends the home’s aesthetic beyond the boundaries of its four walls and creates living space suitable for all manner of conversation, entertainment, and group activities.

Meanwhile, gardens are designed to express life force in the form of controlled geometry. 
Garden design varies widely based on the type of home we are supporting, but the presence of the garden in some form or fashion is a universal given in professional landscape design. 

In some instances, separate flower beds may be planted to add curb appeal to the home.  This should only be done with the help of a landscape designer.  The flower beds must be large enough to be seen, but not so large as to overpower more significant forms on the landscape. 

Also, they must consist of color schemes and plant types that our consistent with the landscape master plan.  Otherwise, flowers can work against home decor as much as they work for it.  More existential styles such as minimal landscaping and contemporary landscaping do not use separate flower gardens—only minimal plantings of flowering plants. 

In spite of the difficulties sometimes inherent in planting a flower bed, many other plants can be placed in pots or planters on the tops of walls and terraces to frame the façade of the home in a veritable progression of greenery.
This is ideal for many European styles of landscaping, such as Italian and Mediterranean designs.    Hedges can be planted around patios and any outdoor buildings, and unique species of grass can be used to help establish zones of special interest in the yard. 

Masonry always adds value to home décor.
To begin with, masonry repels a number of destructive forces.  It can withstand heavy storms, high winds, UV radiation, and Texas heat.  It is also fire resistant and often forms an amazing block against termite infestation.  By replacing wood, it also inhibits the spread of mold, mildew, and fungus.

Due to its amazing resiliency and protective advantages, masonry can often earn residents as much as a 15 percent discount on their homeowner’s insurance policy.  
Due to the near endless diversity of masonry stone and brick creations that are possible, any Houston home can be supported by masonry work of some type.