A retaining wall will either be a necessity (protecting the landscape from erosion), an aesthetic design feature, or both. Retaining walls are often underappreciated in landscape design yet their presence can be one of the defining aspects of the landscape. As masonry features, their aesthetic can be greatly improved when combined with patio pavers. Here’s how the choice of pavers can bring out the beauty of retaining walls in Harrisburg, PA.

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Natural Curves

No natural landscape has perfectly straight lines, and a retaining wall will best integrate into a landscape by adapting to its natural curves. Retaining walls are most often used for helping to hold back a hillside and create more outdoor living spaces. Let the natural shape of the landscape dictate how the walkways, patios, and retaining walls work together to create outdoor spaces that look as though they truly belong in the landscape. Since most pavers are designed to follow straight lines, the resulting contrast in the walkways and patio will provide an excellent visual texture.

Color Schemes

The dominant colors found in a home and landscape are the main inspiration for the color pairings of pavers, retaining walls, and other vertical elements. Since retaining walls are masonry features, they will fall into one of two color schemes: warm and earthy reds and yellows or cooler steely grays and blues. Pavers can become the linking feature between the home and retaining walls in terms of color. Choosing neutral colors could be one way to bridge the gap between warm and cool tones; for example, grays with reddish undertones, or tans with grayish undertones.

Shapes and Sizes

Pavers and stone blocks come in such a wide variety of shapes and sizes that you’ll never feel boxed in when coming up with a design. For example, you may use rustic stone blocks in your retaining wall that encircles a patio made using large format pavers. This contrast of pavers that evoke a wide open space with rustic style stones that evoke timelessness will help lead to a pleasing visual experience.

Accents and Borders

The accents and borders of the masonry features are where you can really let individual artistic expression shine. Accents and borders will help you integrate all parts of the landscape together. They are also another way to bridge the gap between cool and warm color families in a way that looks deliberate and attractive.

Mixing Stone Sources

Even if the retaining wall is built with a stone veneer, you can still use modern-style pavers to complement them. It might seem as contradictory, but as long as they use complementary colors, you’ll have a successful combination.

Let the Individual Elements Shine

Don’t get too carried away with ornamental elements, as “less is more” when it comes to designing paver and retaining wall combinations that will stand the test of time. One idea is to grab a wide variety of samples from the local masonry supply and mix and match them until you arrive at the ideal match; but if you’re working with an existing patio and want to add a wall (or vice versa), keep in mind that letting the eye appreciate the individuality of the paver surface and the retaining wall could be more pleasing than having too much to view at once. Less is truly more: In general, aim for no more than a total of three materials (a paver style, a wall unit style, and a border style to tie the two together).

Related: CHOOSING THE RIGHT MATERIALS FOR A RETAINING WALL PROJECT AT A MASONRY SUPPLY NEAR LANCASTER, PA

Photo courtesy of Unilock