Lake Home Backyard Transformation – Before and After

Nestled along the shores of Lake Mendota in Wisconsin, John and Kiki’s newly purchased two-level home boasts stunning water views visible through expansive windows on both floors. However, the homeowners felt their backyard patio lacked the charm to match its picturesque surroundings, prompting them to embark on a transformative makeover.

“The original landscape was very outdated with the old brick patio, front sidewalk, and overgrown plants and beds. The colors were brown earth tones which didn’t appeal to the homeowners,” explained the contractor from McKay Nursery Company.

With the redesign, John and Kiki wanted to make full use of every inch of their backyard. The goal was to create more usable space to improve their views of the lake and the nearby State Capitol building. “The homeowners wanted to use this house as a means to entertain family, friends, and guests all year round.”

To achieve this, they needed to transform their drab backyard patio into a spectacular lakefront vista. McKay Nursery Company provided a detailed mock-up design to help them visualize the transformation, leaving John and Kiki eager to bring their dream to life.

Starting on the upper level of the patio, John and Kiki sought to resolve the awkward slope extending away from their deck. To achieve this, they replaced their simple flagstone pathway with a large retaining wall built using Unilock SienaEdge™ in Granite, which featured a nearby flower garden and a grand, art-deco-style walkway featuring Umbriano® Hex pavers in contrasting black and white hues. SienaStone™ Smooth steps in Dusk provided easy access to the beckoning waters below and a clean, linear look to the upper patio.

The next phase of the project involved replacing the brown-toned brick patio, which was an underutilized space that did little to enhance this incredible setting. Unilock Arcana™ in Modena proved to be the perfect fit, creating an expansive patio space that encompassed a dining area and plenty of relaxing seating options. Manufactured with EnduraColor™, these pavers offer a fade-resistant surface that retains its vibrant appearance over time. Paired with the integral stain resistance of EasyClean™, this choice ensured a low-maintenance solution that would stand the test of time, providing John and Kiki with a beautiful and functional space for years to come. In addition, their decision to use a white tone for the pavers thoughtfully complemented the white façade of their home’s exterior, creating a cohesive and elegant look.

Rounding out the patio’s design, a contrasting tone of hexagonal Umbriano pavers in French Grey served as the main paver rug for a fire bowl lounge. A semi-circular ring of Adirondack chairs encircled the fire bowl, providing plenty of options for accessing the warmth of the fire while ensuring a perfect view of the lake. Along the far side of the patio, the pre-existing retaining wall structure was replaced with a rising, three-tiered Unilock wall that featured shrubs and flowers, bringing a natural, cozy ambiance with splashes of bright color to the muted paver design.

Given the home’s proximity to the lake, the patio floor was supported by the installation of a permeable base that would aid in managing excess stormwater in the event of a flood. This proved a wise move, as the project has seen some flooding since the installation was completed, with the pavers holding steadfast.

John and Kiki were thrilled that their lake home backyard project exceeded their expectations, and were happy to work with a contractor who helped transform their dreams into a reality. The result proved to be a stunning redesign of a backyard patio into a fabulous family retreat that can be enjoyed year-round.

If you’re looking to transform your backyard patio space using Unilock pavers, check out our inspiring paver patio design ideas.