When you start planning a landscape renovation, one of the ways to achieve a stunning result is to know how to pair colors between the various features. Do you start with the pavers and then consider what material to use for the nearby retaining wall or vice versa? Do you want the pavers to come close in coloring to a natural stone feature that is already a part of the landscape? Here is a general guide to color matching patio pavers and retaining walls for York, PA, projects.
Related: FINDING PATIO PAVERS TO MATCH A RUSTIC BACKYARD REMODEL IN HARRISBURG AND LANCASTER, PA, AREAS
Pairing With the Landscape
The natural features of a landscape can be among the greatest assets of the entire property. First, you may want to consider any exposed rock on the property when planning the tone and composition of the stone features used in the project. For instance, the Southeast Pennsylvania region has stone composition that varies between the ridgeline hilltops and valleys. Quartzite, sandstone, and slate often make up hilltops while limestone, shale, and marble make up valleys.
Pairing With the Home
Whether the home follows a more rustic construction or a more modernist approach, various pavers and natural stone are likely to fit the aesthetic. Contrast is nice once in a while, but for the best overall feeling and to avoid an overly busy look, it is often best to decide on one main style and largely stick to it. Choose a more permanent element of the home to color match with pavers and retaining walls (not the siding, which can be painted, but any stonework, brick, or even the roof).
Stone and Brick
Structures built from natural stone have stood the test of time for millennia, and countless structures around the world are built from brick. This is why the look of stone or brick typically fits the aesthetic of an older, rustic home. Natural stone available in Southeast Pennsylvania will be steely grays that pair excellently with the warmer earth tones of patio pavers.
Modern-Style Pavers
With the modernist techniques and building styles popular now, in addition to manufacturers’ expansive offerings, you may notice far more variability in color, shape, and texture among concrete pavers and wall blocks than natural stone. Each paver or wall block suits a different purpose. Natural stone or manufactured stone veneers provide endless options for artistic expression for wall features.
Local Materials
The steely blues of Southeast Pennsylvania stone can fit perfectly wherever it is placed. You will notice as you drive past historical homes, that the foundations and any original hardscapes such as retaining walls, tend to look similar because, in the past, people simply used what was available rather than importing materials. As long as a material looks like it fits in the area, you are likely to find complimentary choices for the materials used in various features—to achieve an incredibly beautiful outcome.
In general, you would want to shy away from buying expensive imported stone that looks beautiful in a place you’ve traveled, for instance, if you want the most natural-looking result. The best options for a property in Southeast Pennsylvania could sit with locally sourced stone (such as bluestone) or concrete alternatives that mimic the look.
Related: 5 BEAUTIFUL RETAINING WALL DESIGNS FOR SMALL BACKYARDS IN LANCASTER, PA
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