Implementing a retaining wall into your yard can be a daunting and expensive project, but is necessary when you have a home along a hill or a sloped space. It will protect your home by minimizing erosion and holding back soil. A great amount of damage can be done if you don’t have an adequate retaining wall.
Just because you need for damage protection, doesn’t mean you can’t do something great with it. There are so many options when it comes to decorating and adding curb appeal to your retaining wall. You can add different features to make it even more interesting. Why not build something beautiful that you can be proud of instead of something that’s purely functional? The right retaining wall design can really bring something special to your yard.
8 Inspiring Retaining Wall Ideas
1. Cor-Ten Steel
Making retaining walls out of Cor-Ten steel will add great interest to your retaining wall. Cor-Ten steel is also known as weathering steel and was designed to eliminate the need for painting. After several years of weather exposure, it will form a stable rust-like appearance. This results in a material that will not continue to degrade. It works really well when paired with other contemporary materials such as stone and concrete.
2. Garden retaining wall
With so much vertical space on your retaining wall, you don’t want to let it go to waste. You can incorporate levels and plant a great mix of low-maintenance perennials and ornamental grasses. Mix different types of greens as well as flowering plants to create a lush tapestry. A garden retaining wall works well in urban areas but is a great complement to a woodland garden as well.
3. Smooth concrete with lighting
If you have or are planning to put in a pool that’s close to the same level as your house, you’re going to need a retaining wall design to complement it. An in-ground pool is possible on a hilly lot, but it means that you need to install wraparound retaining walls. A great way to complement your pool is with smooth concrete that features inset lights. It adds a luxurious look to your pool and gives an almost spa-like experience.
4. Mix up the materials
When you’re working on your retaining wall design, it’s not required to go with all the same materials. You can create a one-of-a-kind look by mixing materials such as Cor-Ten with boulders or other materials. The boulders will add extra interest while also helping anchor the wall in place.
5. Retaining walls set up in a tiered design
There are many different retaining wall contractors ideas out there and a lot you can do. Consider the possibilities of a tiered design. You can combine many different elements together such as garden beds and stairs in order to connect everything all together. This can be a bit more complicated and take some heavy design work, but the result can be absolutely stunning.
6. Retaining walls that surround a fire pit
A fire pit is a great addition to your yard and a great place to entertain guests. You can really do a lot of different things with this design as well, including a curved retaining wall. This curved wall can also serve as extra seating around your fire pit. You can incorporate garden elements with planters and flowers surrounding the area to give it an even more beautiful appeal.
7. A rock gabion
A great way to add textural interest into your space is through the use of metal cages. You can fill these with stones, leftover concrete, wood or other materials. It will contrast with the smooth exterior siding and make the entire space feel warmer.
8. Boulders with built-in benches
Whenever you can add additional seating, it can be a great thing. If you’re going to use boulders in your retaining wall design, why not make them into something that people are actually able to use instead of just look at? These boulders will not only help retain any other planting above them but also provide for the sitting room. They will need to be carefully selected to assure that they have flat faces. You can also add some throw pillows for more comfort.
Contact New Life Rockeries
New Life Rockeries has years of experience with designing and implementing retaining walls. A retaining wall may seem like a daunting and boring project, but with some attention to design, you can make it beautiful. It can be hard deciding what layout would be best for your space. We can work with you throughout the whole process to create something unique. Contact us today to make your dream of retaining wall design into a reality.