Blog & Advice

Landscaping Decorative Rock for Your Rental Property

Using decorative rock in your rental home’s landscaping design can be a great way to create an attractive, low-maintenance yard. But knowing what types of decorative rock to use and how much to spend can make incorporating it into your landscaping a challenge. There are many different kinds of decorative rock to choose from, not all of which are good options for a rental property. By learning more about using decorative rock in your rental home’s landscaping design, you can more confidently choose the product that is right for your property. Professional landscape designers know that decorative rock offers durable, practical, and beautiful options for residential yards. There are many different types of decorative rock, which come in a wide range of sizes, colors, and textures. From large boulders to gravel, each type of rock offers something different to anyone looking to upgrade their property’s landscaping.

Pea Gravel

For example, one popular type of rock is pea gravel, which gets its name from the pea-sized pebbles out of which it is composed. Pea gravel is often an inexpensive and attractive option for paths, walkways, and other heavily-trafficked areas. Small river rock, with its smooth rounded pebbles, can also be a good option for walkways. In fact, river rock, with stones ranging anywhere from 3/8″- 5″ in diameter, is a versatile and popular option for use around trees, in edgings, or in combination with other landscaping features.

Marble Chips or Lava Rock

For a bolder look, many landscapers will choose marble chips or lava rock in place of bark mulch or other materials. Marble chips are small, light-colored rocks that can create a clean and classic look around a foundation or lining a porch or driveway. Lava rock, on the other hand, is rough and porous, often coming in shades of red and black. While lava rock can offer a beautiful contrast in a yard, it is not the best choice for areas that get heavy use. Lava rock can have sharp surface edges that may cause abrasions and other injuries in the event of a fall.

Benefits

When used in combination with lawns, trees, and other landscaping features, decorative rock also offers many benefits that go beyond curb appeal. For example, once the rock areas are installed, they require minimal maintenance to stay looking tidy. They are also durable, which means replacement costs will be much lower and less frequent than lawns or organic ground covers. When used in walkways or similar areas, decorative rock can easily stand up to years of heavy use. And unlike mulch, decorative rock doesn’t decompose or attract insects, particularly termites or spiders.

Costs and Tenant Needs

When choosing a decorative rock, it is important to keep practical aspects such as cost and tenant needs in mind. More expensive rock may look beautiful and seem like a good way to increase your rental rates, but the reality is that expensive rock will not result in higher rent. No matter how attractive it looks, expensive decorative rock is likely to go unappreciated by your tenants, who may not be able to distinguish between a high-end decorative look and simple gravel. To many tenants, decorative rock is just rock, and not something that adds significant value to the rental property. For this reason, an inexpensive decorative rock is often the best choice for rental property landscaping. Determining what kind of decorative rock elements make sense for your rental property can be a difficult process. At Real Property Management, we can assist property owners by helping you navigate through the many options that are available, helping you figure out which ones are the right ones for you and your rental home. Contact a Real Property Management office today to learn more.