Powell Recessed Patio — Timber Walls, Stone Steps & Bluestone Pavers
This Powell homeowner had a below-grade basement door that opened onto bare dirt — a spot that collected water, tracked mud into the house, and wasn't usable for anything. They're upgrading their backyard one project at a time, and this was the piece that needed to come first. We worked with them to design a recessed patio that solved the drainage problem, gave them a real entry, and set up the rest of the yard for what comes next.
What we built
Pressure-treated timber retaining walls — 6×6 pressure-treated pine timbers, stacked, pinned, and deadman-anchored into the slope to hold back the grade on both sides of the recessed area. Timber walls give a warm, natural look and are a cost-effective way to retain soil for a project like this.
Timber-and-stone steps — Pressure-treated timber risers with natural stone treads connect the existing concrete patio above to the new lower level, matching the walls and making the entry safe and comfortable to use.
Natural bluestone paver patio — The floor of the recessed area is natural stone pavers set on a compacted aggregate base — a clean, durable surface that handles foot traffic and looks far better than the mud that was there before.
Built-in drainage — Because this space sits below grade, drainage was everything. We installed a channel drain at the base of the door tied into buried drain line so rainwater is captured and carried away instead of pooling against the foundation.
Planted and mulched — Fresh mulched beds along the wall finish the edges and tie the new hardscape into the existing landscape.
Why start with the retaining walls
When a backyard has grade problems, the walls and drainage have to come first — every later project (patio, planting beds, lawn) depends on the yard holding its shape and shedding water. Doing this step right means the homeowner can keep adding to the space year after year without redoing what's already there.
Upgrading your backyard one project at a time?
That's how most of our clients do it, and we plan for it. Parker Scapes designs and builds retaining walls, recessed patios, walkout basement entries, steps, and natural stone hardscapes across Powell, Dublin, Lewis Center, Worthington, Delaware, and greater Columbus. Every project starts with a free consultation, and we'll help you sequence the work so each phase builds on the last.
