Great Retaining Wall Landscaping Ideas
Many people don’t realize that a considerable part of landscaping is the installation and maintenance of hardscape. Hardscaping is a part of landscaping that deals with practical or non-living structures that are a part of a person’s yard. This can include anything from fountains to gazebos to stone walkways and even retaining walls. Even installing fences can be considered hardscape landscaping.
When you think of landscaping, you probably think immediately of lush greenery. Perhaps you even picture a well-kept, sprawling lawn. While the end goal of all landscaping jobs is to make your lawn picture perfect, a lot of people don’t realize the hard work that goes into creating hardscape elements in a yard.
Many hardscape components that end up installed in people’s yards are for practical purposes. In order to create a beautiful feature out of something that is supposed to be functional, the art of hardscaping was created. In this article, we’ll go over some of the best new ideas for retaining walls in 2022.
What is a Retaining Wall?
Retaining walls do a lot more heavy lifting than people usually realize. Not only do they serve a purpose, but they also keep your lawn looking refined and well-maintained. So what exactly do retaining walls do? Essentially, the job of a retaining wall is to level out your property, allowing control for runoff from rainwater and preventing erosion. This creates a strong foundation for gardens and plants to flourish.
Retaining walls tend to be pretty commonplace on many lawns, especially if you live in an area where the ground isn’t known for being level. Instead of allowing gravity to pull the soil down, you offset the slope with a retaining wall. This way, you create a level ground for plants to thrive. Not only is this useful for the health of your lawn, but it also provides you with an opportunity to get creative. Retaining walls can do a lot of work in making your home look sophisticated.
When building your retaining wall, you can use materials such as:
- Stone
- Concrete blocks
- Timber
- Brick
- Modular paneled walls
- Cut stone
- Sandstone
- Boulders
- Concrete render
These are just a few of the many materials that you can choose from when building your retaining wall. As you can probably tell, this means that there are plenty of different ways to make your wall stand out amongst your neighbors.
Retaining Wall Landscaping
There are many decisions that go into creating a retaining wall. Depending on your landscaper, they might only work with certain types of materials or offer a predetermined color palette. Because this might become a potential limitation on your ideas for the retaining wall, we suggest that you have some materials and colors in mind already before you consult a professional. This way, you waste less time and find the right company for the job.
You also want to consider how your retaining wall will look when contrasted with your house. After all, the full picture matters. Make sure that your vision doesn’t clash with the already established look of your home. You want the wall to extend and reflect the aesthetic beauty of your house rather than competing against it for attention.
Retaining Wall Planting Ideas
If you’re not exactly sure what you want your retaining wall to look like, you’ve come to the right place. Not only will the following ideas help keep your lawn in good condition, but they will also contribute to the beauty of your whole property. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind when planning how your retaining wall will look and function.
Ideas for Concrete Retaining Wall Landscapes
Concrete can be used in some very creative ways nowadays. In fact, concrete retaining walls can really give your property an edgy look if that’s what you’re going for. For instance, you can opt for smooth white retaining walls that create a modern air of minimalist elegance in your yard. Concrete is also known for being incredibly strong and durable, so you can count on these walls to remain standing for long periods of time. This is a great choice if your lawn needs a lot of support.
Stone Retaining Wall Ideas
Stone walls really add a classic sort of distinction to a home. The best part of choosing stone is the way you can customize it. You can make the choice of which types of stones you want to incorporate into your wall, giving you more artistic freedom. Plus, similar to concrete, stone walls last for long periods of time, so you don’t have to worry about replacing them all the time. With stone walls, you can even be picky with the specific cut or shape of the stones as well. So if you want to make a statement with large rocks or if you want to keep it traditional with small, layered stones, you’re free to do either one.
Ideas for Timber Retaining Walls
While timber or wood doesn’t last as long as concrete or stone, you might be more interested in creating a sleek or natural look for your retaining walls. If the longevity of the wall isn’t a huge priority, timber could be a good choice for you. Timber retaining walls are still durable, though, being naturally termite resistant and often lasting up to 25 years. Using timber can add a homey or rustic feel to your yard.
Need a Retaining Wall for Your Yard?
If you’re looking for a professional landscaping company to help make your landscaping visions come to life? If you live in the Chicagoland area, Arbeen Landscaping might be the best fit for you. We have served Chicago’s suburbs for years in the area and would be happy to take care of your landscaping needs. Whether you need routine maintenance or a new retaining wall, we’re the people to call. If you have any questions about retaining walls or our services at Arbeen Landscaping, don’t hesitate to check out our website or contact us.
