Incorporating a Retaining Wall into Your Paver Patio Design in the Lewis Center, OH Area

Adding masonry to your landscape helps create a timeless feeling. Integrating a patio and retaining wall can present a design challenge. Retaining walls are often essential in landscapes, so here’s a guide at incorporating a retaining wall in your paver patio design in the Lewis Center, OH area.

Related: RETAINING WALL OR FENCING: WHICH STRUCTURE WORKS BEST FOR PRIVACY IN A POWELL, OH, BACKYARD?

A Perfect Match, A Great Complement, or a Start Contrast?

Achieving a perfectly matched look can be challenging unless you’re using materials such as brick; and even then, if you’re trying to match older brick you may not have luck finding that exact shade as the colors may have faded over the years. In new construction (new patio and new retaining wall), you will have better luck creating a perfect match, since some pavers can be used for vertical applications as a veneer over a concrete structure (check with the manufacturer).

Often, you will achieve better results using complementary materials rather than going for a perfect match. This approach gives each element its own character while also creating a visually pleasing, unified space. Most walls will pay homage to the existing masonry and landscape features in both color and texture.

Sometimes - particularly in modern design - opposites attract. A smooth concrete retaining wall could be just the thing to contrast textured pavers; or, a highly textured stacked-flagstone wall creates the perfect backdrop to smooth, sleek modern pavers.

Where to Use Retaining Walls

Aside from structural functions (holding back soil and creating larger outdoor living spaces) retaining walls can also be used in a number of ways within the patio itself.

Defining spaces: One of the best uses of a retaining wall is using it as a physical boundary between spaces in a large outdoor living area. You may want certain spaces, such as a dining area, to be a little more physically separated from the pool area or a seating area. A retaining wall helps delineate boundaries as well as helping shape spaces. These low walls could be constructed at chair height to provide overflow seating - or a wonderful place for colorful potted plants or decorative objects.

Integrating with an outdoor kitchen: A retaining wall can be incorporated into the design of your outdoor kitchen. If you’re fortunate to have a structural retaining wall (on a sloped property) the wall makes a fantastic back base for the appliances, utilities, and structure of an outdoor kitchen. If your property is flat, you could create a raised plant bed alongside the outdoor kitchen for fresh culinary herbs and vegetables anytime. Not only will a raised bed help keep dirt off your patio, it will make the plants more accessible. A generous ledge will offer comfortable seating, whether you’re gardening or whether your guests need a place to sit close to the kitchen while you’re cooking up a feast. You can even style out your retaining wall by adding an automatic drip irrigation system to give you time back that you would otherwise spend watering during the late hours of the evening.

Preserving Natural Beauty

If you want to preserve or even plant a tree in the design of the patio itself, a retaining wall can help. Build the wall in a ring around the tree or shrub to give it an elevated status and highlight its beauty. Include subtle spotlights to give the tree night time character while adding ambient light to your patio.

Related: HOW TO TELL IF YOU NEED A NEW RETAINING WALL IN POWELL AND WORTHINGTON OH AREAS