The Ultimate Guide to Using Limestone in Your Outdoor Space
- sublimesetuphousin
- Apr 7
- 7 min read
When you think of limestone, you probably think of ancient construction projects, made to last the tests of time. If you’re looking for luxury landscaping ideas, starting with limestone is a surefire way to create a durable, high-end outdoor space. While there are some pros and cons to limestone, limestone is a practical material that is easy to DIY and resists weather (when properly sealed).
Let’s start with a little bit of information about limestone before we dive into why it’s a great material for any outdoor space. First, limestone is made primarily of calcite. If you’re not a geology nerd, calcite is a material that reacts to water, which is how we get some of the more impressive cave systems in the United States. Calcite forms stalactites and stalagmites as it wears down, giving some of these caves their distinct appearance.
Now, given that limestone is primarily calcite, it can have an effervescent or “fizzy” interaction with water, which is why sealing your limestone is crucial to maintain it through years of wear, tear, and exposure to the elements.
Limestone comes in many colors, from a pristine white due to the calcite, to an orange or sandstone coloration depending on manganese or iron deposits. In some cases, you can get an almost black color to your limestone, making it a versatile material for decorating any outdoor space.
Now that you know some of the basics of limestone composition and coloration, let’s take a look at why limestone is ideal for your outdoor space.
Why Choose Limestone for Your Outdoor Space
Some of the benefits of limestone are its versatility of this material. Not only can limestone come in a wide range of colors and textures, but the overall aesthetics combine luxury with timelessness, allowing you to craft an outdoor space you want to spend time in.
Limestone, once sealed, is very weather resistant and can stand up to the wear-and-tear of being paving stones or tiles. It can take on the form of a retaining wall or outline your garden for a classic pop of beige among greenery.
On top of this, limestone makes itself at home in a wide range of décor styles. From the classic look of a Mediterranean style to more modern or even rustic designs, limestone finds itself welcome alongside various colors and architectural sensibilities, allowing you to play with the overall feel of a space.
If you’re looking for a stone that fits in almost any landscaping or building project, especially when paired with the ever-changing aesthetics of an outdoor garden or the high wear-and-tear of an outdoor living space, limestone is a great option.
Plus, limestone is easy to carve due to its soft nature, allowing you to craft unique spaces out of the material without struggling against a tougher stone. Once sealed, you don’t have to worry as much about this softness, as sealed limestone can hold its own in the elements.
Let’s take a look at some of the options for using limestone in your landscaping.
Popular Uses of Limestone in Landscaping
Limestone is a popular building material for a reason. The general softness of the stone, paired with the overall aesthetics of this neutral material, makes it ideal for pairing with a wide range of projects. This list is far from exhaustive, so be sure to let your imagination run wild when designing your outdoor living space.
1. Patios and Walkways
Patios and walkways are a great use for sealed limestone paving stones. There are countless limestone patio ideas you can pull from to create a living space you want to spend time in. For example, consider a smooth but weathered patio surface that can hold up against staining and weather conditions, leaving you with a high-end living space.
One thing to keep in mind when working with limestone is the drainage options around the space, as limestone is susceptible to erosion. Even while sealed, you want to make sure your patio has proper drainage to prevent pooling in the future and ensure your patio or walkway stays intact for years to come. Thankfully, we can help you plan the proper drainage for your space, so you can instead focus on enjoying your new patio or following your walkway to an ideal outdoor space.
2. Garden Edging and Borders
Limestone garden edging is almost as classic as brick for defining the edge of your garden. Whether you seal your limestone to preserve its shape or allow it to weather before sealing it, limestone adds a touch of natural beauty to any garden.
Limestone can provide structure to your garden beds, acting as a preserving force against natural dirt erosion. Whether you’re using dirt gardening beds or lean toward mulch, limestone acts as an aesthetically pleasing barrier to provide order to your greenery.
3. Retaining Walls and Decorative Features
When using limestone for outdoor design, retaining walls and other decorative features should be at the top of your list. Not only are limestone retaining walls aesthetically amazing for any space, they also help create visually interesting designs along an outdoor space. Plus, as with any retaining wall, these structures help prevent erosion in a space—a real benefit beyond their aesthetic value!
Limestone weathers in gorgeous ways thanks to the solubility of the calcite, meaning you get time-touched retaining walls that mold together to fit the landscape. While we suggest getting sealed limestone or having your limestone sealed, a little weathering pre-sealing is not a bad thing, and can lead to some incredible aesthetic directions.
There are plenty of other limestone features you can add to your outdoor space, from small walls to sculptures and more, meaning you can work limestone into every area of your living space.
4. Outdoor Kitchens and Fireplaces
A final (but by no means comprehensive) idea for working with limestone is an outdoor kitchen or fireplace. Limestone can work as a fireplace accent, allowing you to work this luxury material into the practicality of a space. On top of this, limestone makes for a gorgeous outdoor countertop when sealed correctly, making it a great feature of a Mediterranean-style outdoor kitchen.
Best Environments for Limestone
Limestone works both indoors and outdoors, but outdoor design with limestone really stands out. You want somewhere that doesn’t get as much rain (or at least has proper drainage), since limestone is susceptible to water. It is a good idea to keep in mind that unsealed limestone does react to the elements, and this erosive response can be exacerbated by extreme heat or cold, so be sure to properly seal your limestone before use.
As far as the best biome for limestone, limestone is one of the most versatile stones, working in desert environments as well as more temperate wooded areas. You can even use limestone in a coastal environment to bring to mind sandy beaches and gorgeous ocean rocks.
Tips and Tricks for Working with Limestone
1. Choosing the Right Limestone Type
Limestone comes in various colors and weather states, meaning choosing the right limestone is primarily about aesthetics. The three different types of limestone you should consider are: travertine, tumbled, and polished. Travertine refers to a type of terrestrial limestone that comes in steps, which can give it striations. Tumbled limestone is, well, tumbled! This gives it a worn, more gritty aesthetic. On the other hand, polished is fairly straightforward, as it is a polished, smooth version of limestone that does away with natural weathering.
Another thing to keep in mind is natural cut versus machine cut limestone. Natural-cut limestone has a rougher aesthetic, while machine-cut limestone has hard edges and precise features. Both can accentuate a space; it just takes a designer's eye to know when to use each type of limestone.
2. Installation Best Practices
Firstly, to properly install limestone, you want to make sure you have the right drainage set-up. You also want to ensure the base you’re placing the limestone on is packed, secure, and level, so you don’t run into drainage issues in the future. A proper base helps prevent future shifting and wearing issues down the road, so this step is extra important.
In order to prevent cracking or chipping, consider sealing your limestone. This not only protects your limestone against the elements, but it also can smooth the appearance and prevent staining.
If you’d like to chat about how to best install limestone into your yard, let’s set up a consultation!
3. Maintenance and Care
Some basic limestone maintenance tips include avoiding harsh chemicals on your limestone tiles, as this can cause damage or even staining. You also want to consider sealing your limestone in order to protect it from wear and tear, discoloration, and even chipping or cracking. Sealants can also help prevent erosion.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A few of the more common mistakes to avoid with limestone include:
Not using the proper drainage
Not sealing your high-traffic limestone areas
Using the wrong limestone for certain climates (for example, raw limestone in a heavy rain climate)
Overusing limestone in your décor, leading to a cold, harsh aesthetic
Of course, there are other things to keep in mind when working with limestone, such as coloration and how that relates to the space, texture, styling, placement, and more. If you feel overwhelmed by the options, we can help you narrow down the best limestone for your outdoor space, making it much easier to bring your next project together.
While limestone is a great material that comes in many colors, textures, shapes, and styles, it can be difficult at times to work with. This comes into play due to drainage needs, as well as sealant concerns for the materials. On top of this, planning your space can be difficult due to the wide variety of limestone types available. Thankfully, we can help. If you’re interested in a professional design consultation, our team can help you choose the perfect limestone features for your space. Schedule your consultation today!
Meet Allison, Founder & CEO of Sublime Setup
Welcome to Sublime Setup! I’m Allison, a passionate landscape designer and contractor with deep roots in Southern California. My love for outdoor living started at an early age, inspired by my grandfather’s craftsmanship and my own experiences exploring nature. That passion evolved into a thriving business dedicated to helping homeowners enhance their outdoor spaces.
Based in San Clemente, I work closely with homeowners across Orange County, creating landscapes that are both stunning and functional. My approach combines thoughtful design, expert craftsmanship, and a commitment to bringing each client’s vision to life. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing garden escape or a dynamic outdoor entertainment area, I’m here to help make it happen.
At Sublime Setup, we believe that an outdoor space should be more than just a yard; it should be an extension of your home, a place where you can relax, entertain, and enjoy the beauty of nature. That’s why we pour our hearts into every project, delivering high-quality, custom-designed landscapes that enhance not just properties, but lifestyles.
If you’re ready to transform your outdoor space, reach out today! Let’s create something extraordinary together.
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