Mid-Century Ranch Backyard + Patio Landscape - Wauwatosa, WI

This compact backyard in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin needed a thoughtful redesign to make the most of its limited space. Our clients knew their aging timber retaining walls had to be replaced, and this presented an opportunity to reimagine the entire layout. By redesigning and repositioning the retaining walls, we were able to expand the usable area and create room for a new concrete patio.

The new Chilton stone retaining walls were set at subtle angles to create the visual impression of a larger backyard. Shifting the walls farther from the house also allowed for a more generous patio footprint. A stepping‑stone path now links the backyard to the existing service walkway along the side of the home.

Plantings were carefully designed for the hillside, working around mature shrubs and established arborvitae. Additional planting beds between the house and patio soften the hardscape and add seasonal interest. The yard was regraded and a new lawn installed to improve drainage and direct water away from the home. Low‑voltage landscape lighting provides evening ambiance and completes the transformation.