450 Sq. Ft. Paver Patio with Steps and Railings in St. Louis Park

This one had a lot going on - and that's exactly what made it interesting. A 450 sq. ft. paver patio, six steps up to the back door, black metal railings on both sides, and a curved paver walkway wrapping around the side of the house. Each piece had to work with the others, and getting the details right on all of them at once is where a lot of contractors drop the ball.

The steps were a big focus for us on this job. When you've got that much elevation change right at the back door, the entry has to feel solid and safe - not just look good. We built out six clean paver steps with step lighting built right into the risers, paired with matte black aluminum railings on each side. That combination of light and railing does a lot for both safety and the overall look after dark.

The patio surface itself is laid in a classic rectangular pattern with a clean border running the perimeter. That curved outer edge took some extra care to get right - a sloppy curve stands out fast on a job like this. We kept the lines smooth and consistent all the way around, which gives the whole space a finished, intentional feel instead of looking thrown together.

The curved walkway along the side of the house ties everything together. It follows the natural flow of the yard rather than cutting straight across it, and the border detail carries through from the patio to keep the look cohesive. Little things like that are what separate a patio job from a complete outdoor space.