While a retaining wall serves a specific function within the landscape, there is no reason why your Newton, MA, wall can’t add beauty and visual interest, too. Try these landscape design ideas to draw the eye to a gorgeous, custom retaining wall.
Related: HOW TO TELL IF YOUR YARD COULD BENEFIT FROM A RETAINING WALL IN CAMBRIDGE AND BELMONT, MA
What is a retaining wall?
A retaining wall is a stone wall that holds back the earth so you can create more space for outdoor features such as patios, pergolas, and outdoor dining. Although it is intended to help with sloping in the yard that limits the use of the space and erosion that can result from rainstorms, retaining walls are actually much more versatile than just for erosion control. When you work with your landscaper to create a beautiful wall, it can add beauty and rugged texture to the landscape design.
Ideas for Retaining Wall Beauty
Oversize it: When your landscape calls for a retaining wall, consider making it larger than it needs to be in order to make it stand out in the property. Many times a retaining wall only goes as high as necessary but when you take the retaining wall as high as it can go, it becomes a focal point.
Once the wall is built, your landscaper can accent it with a landscape plan that incorporates evergreen trees for year-round color, ornamental trees that have lovely blooms and interesting leaf tones, and other plant choices that draw the eye to the retaining wall.
Add steps: Adding steps within the retaining wall or to the side of it can be another way to add more visual interest and accessibility to a hard to navigate space. Deep, wide stone steps can make movement to the top and descent to the bottom comfortable and pretty. When your retaining wall is a partial wall, placing the steps off to the side can be especially lovely.
Gabion basket: More and more gabion basket walls are showing up in urban settings because they pair beautifully with the angles and materials that grace modern homes. Gabion basket retaining walls are galvanized wire cages that are full of stone or another organic material. These walls can define a specific space within the landscape while offering amazing visual interest with natural materials.
Oversize stone: Much like a jigsaw puzzle, a retaining wall of oversize stone stacked on top of one another is an excellent way to define part of the landscape. The various colors of natural stone paired with a mixture of sizes can make your retaining wall look artful. Passersby will do a double take at the size and careful placement of the natural stone that can end up looking like a painting. This is a sturdy, long-lasting retaining wall design that can go well with any landscape design.
Tiered: Remedying a sloped yard can be challenging but a tiered retaining wall is up to the task. Your landscape contractor will plan a retaining wall of several tiers in which you can choose the types of shrubs and plants to grow there, creating natural beauty and color to offset the weight of the wall.
There are many retaining wall designs that can make your landscape look planned and complete. From oversize stone to many other materials, your landscape contractor can help you choose the right look for your unique landscape.
Image source: Unilock
