Retaining walls are known as purely utilitarian features. In truth, however, retaining walls can serve as the backdrop for the many wonderful memories you will create with family and friends in York, PA, once your landscape transformation is complete. All these walls may need is an artistic touch to integrate them into your outdoor living space, where they become part of the design and not an afterthought. One of the techniques that can be used is the careful selection of patio pavers that either complement or match the retaining wall or provide an interesting visual contrast. Here are some ideas for improving the look of retaining walls with an appropriate selection of nearby patio pavers.

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

Choosing the Right Patio Pavers

Many factors go into selecting pavers: size, shape, texture, color, quality, and thickness are some of the priorities. In general, thicker pavers are needed for driveways as thicker, heavier pavers are manufactured to withstand compressive pressure and abrasion from vehicles, meaning they can be used for both pedestrian areas and driveways.

Which Pavers Belong Near a Retaining Wall?

The ultimate decision of which pavers to use is a personal one—it depends on what you want to look at every day when you spend time outside, your style preferences, and how all the materials tie together. You may find that you want to avoid materials that look exactly like. Imagine a brick patio, surrounded by a brick wall … after a while your eye may tire of the overabundance of brick. You may prefer establishing stark contrasts between materials or using a color or texture to connect them visually.

Textured patio pavers and a smooth retaining wall: Textured pavers could include flagstone-inspired pavers or brick. While bricks are not inherently highly textured, they are considered textured due to the visual effect of many small bricks laid together.

An emerging trend is to use large-format plank-style pavers in modern design. These pavers can complement the classic look of brick but in a much bigger variety of colors and sizes (for example, 8” x 16” or even larger).

Smooth patio pavers and a textured retaining wall: Large format pavers (such as 24” square) can make a space feel larger and less cluttered. Once that is established, there is an opportunity to create contrast by choosing a retaining wall that will have noticeable texture.

Similar texture styles for the patio pavers and retaining wall: For a rustic look, most of the materials chosen for a landscape could have texture, or you may want a more subtle textured effect on your wall if your nearby pavers will be taking up most of your attention with their textured features.

For a truly modern effect, you may want to focus only on smooth materials as you make your selection. By opting for complementary colors rather than matching colors, you will be giving each element its own distinct presence.

Also factor in laying patterns as you make choices, for an optimal pleasing combination of paver and retaining wall units. You may not want an overly busy pattern on your patio to distract from the beauty you have created with the adjacent retaining wall.

Related: STYLE CONSIDERATIONS FOR DESIGNING, BUILDING RETAINING WALLS IN YORK AND HARRISBURG, PA, AREAS

Photo courtesy of Unilock