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A concrete retaining wall can feel like a purely functional part of your landscaping, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Concrete block retaining walls can add beauty and variety to your landscape when done correctly. This post will give you retaining wall design ideas to bring your landscaping to life.
A retaining wall is a stone or cement structure that retains or holds back soil. You’ve likely seen retaining walls by roads or freeways that keep the soil from cascading onto the driving area. You’ve also seen them in backyards where the property is backed up against a hill or mountain. Concrete and stone retaining walls are incredibly strong and can withstand thousands of pounds of pressure caused by hills and slopes.
But a wall is just a wall, right? Not necessarily. Retaining walls can be altered and built to help beautify a landscape. Here are some retaining wall ideas to make them pop.
At Harper Precast, we can dye concrete retaining walls to fit a variety of colors. It doesn’t just have to be stone grey. Depending on the needs of your landscape, we can supply concrete retaining blocks in colors that will complement or blend in with your desired landscape. If you want something to blend in or stand out, it can be done.
You can also acquire concrete block retaining walls accented with a design of your choice to give them more personality. Harper Precast has many options available for gravity block accents and designs.
Consider hanging items from your retaining walls like flower pots. This could require drilling and hook installation, but this could allow you to switch flowers based on seasonality and give your wall a splash of color.
You can also plant drooping greenery from the top of your retaining wall. Many greenery options will cascade down your retaining wall as they grow longer. This will add a lot of green to your wall, and may even hide it as the years go by if that’s something you’d prefer. Some ideas for hanging vegetation include:
Please consider what plants thrive the most in your climate before planting.
Still need decorative retaining wall ideas? Add a fence at the top of the wall. A classic white picket fence will give your space a classic feel. If your wall is tall enough, you could install a basketball hoop for a backyard court. Lastly, planting a flower bed at the base of your wall will give your space a beautiful variety of colors.
If your area allows it, altering your retaining wall can provide a new level of depth to your landscape. This will take plenty of planning beforehand, and you’ll want to consult the professionals at Harper Precast to ensure you have the necessary space and permissions.
Installing steps in your retaining wall opens up a new level of exploration. Add switchbacks that allow you to climb to the top of the wall. On top, add a small garden or fire pit. But ensure you have the necessary safety precautions installed, especially if your retaining wall is considerably high.
A tiered retaining wall feels classy and inspiring. Depending on the size of the tiers, you could use these spaces to plant flowers, vegetables, or even trees. If the tiers are large enough, you could use them to carve out hangout spaces like fire pits or outdoor patios. For commercial settings, it’s often encouraged to use tier space for larger plants like shrubbery.
Are you ready for a retaining wall to add life and functionality to your landscape? Contact us at Harper Precast to see what we can do for you. We sell and install gravity block retaining walls that work with the above ideas so we can match your landscaping dreams.
