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Whether you’re looking for a solution to your sloping backyard or just want to give the space a facelift, retaining walls is the way to go. They have the power to make any landscape functional and pleasing to the eyes.
Retaining wall installation can be done yourself. If you’re only installing low walls to bring some character into your yard, you can try taking on the project on your own. It takes time, but it will save you quite a lot of money.
Planning Your Retaining Wall Design
Here are three easy steps on how to plan your retaining wall design for your backyard.
Consider Your Space
The first thing to consider in retaining wall installation is your space. Do you have a lot of room to work with or is it limited to only a few meters? Can you install tiered walls or would a single tall wall work better?
Your wall design will heavily depend on the amount of yard space you have.
Set Your Budget
The next thing to do is set your budget. And then allow for an extra 10% of your total budget. This is to account for other costs you might encounter along the way.
It’s important to set your budget before starting the retaining wall installation. With it, you can determine the type of material you can use for your walls. You can also see how much extra features you can add to your wall design.
Get in Touch with Professionals
While installing retaining walls can be a DIY project, you’ll still need the help of professionals. Especially for tall walls, you’ll need an engineer to work with you to get the right measurements. They will make sure that your wall can hold the soil weight so that it doesn’t bulge or collapse eventually.
It’s also easier to call in professionals to do the work for you. With this, you can make sure that your retaining walls will be sturdy and beautiful. It will cost you some money, but the results will be worth it.
Retaining Wall Design Ideas
Here are five ideas to inspire you in making your retaining wall design for your backyard.
Terraced Retaining Walls
Image source: MagnumStone Retaining Walls
If you have the space, always go for terraced retaining walls. These are more stable and easier to design.
Terraced retaining walls can also function as plant beds so you could keep your space greener and more lively. They could also provide extra sitting space for your yard.
Terraced walls could also connect to stairs and outline your entryway. You can even add lighting fixtures to these walls to make them look better and more visible at night.
Artsy Walls
Image source: Unsplash
The best thing about retaining wall designs is that you can get as creative as you want with them.
If you like harmony and order, you can go for symmetric wall blocks. These would give your retaining walls a cleaner and more elegant finish. If you want your wall to look more relaxed or effortless, you can go for stones with different colors, shapes, and sizes. This asymmetric look will give more character and dynamism to your landscape.
You could also incorporate murals or engravings in your retaining wall design. You could even use smaller pieces or blocks to make a mosaic out of your walls.
Walls That Match With Other Backyard Elements
Image source: Pixabay
To make your landscape more cohesive, you could install retaining walls that match with other backyard elements.
Use the same blocks you used for your fire pit or outdoor kitchen. The same materials or color schemes are sure to bring your backyard design together. This makes it look more sophisticated and well thought out.
If you have a small waterfall or pond in your backyard, you could also use the same wall blocks on them. Retaining wall blocks will help prevent these water features from damaging the surrounding soil.
Fenced Walls
Image source: MagnumStone Retaining Walls
Metal fences are also a great addition to retaining walls. They help keep your backyard more secure from outside elements that could bring harm to you, your pets, or your plants. They could also help in setting boundaries and keeping your privacy.
Fenced retaining walls are also more attractive to potential buyers if you plan to sell your home in the future. They definitely increase property value so you could sell your home for a higher price.
Wire Mesh Walls
Image source: Pixabay
For a more modern look, you can use wire mesh retaining walls. These are better for aesthetic than practical value, though.
A wire mesh can set the shape of the wall without using mortar or other binding components for the stones you’ll put in it. You can also use branches or small timber pieces to fill your wire mesh.
Try to use thin but durable wires to give your retaining walls a more seamless look.
Backyard Retaining Walls
There’s really no limit to what you can do with your retaining wall designs. You’re free to adapt these designs or experiment with new ones. The bottom line is that retaining walls can be an outlet for self-expression just as other parts of your home.
To recap, here are five ideas you can use for your backyard retaining wall designs:
- Terraced retaining walls that can function as plant beds or extra sitting space for your backyard. They can also connect to stairs that outline your entryway.
- Artsy walls that can be an outlet for your creativity. Murals or engravings can be incorporated into your design for a more personal touch.
- Walls that match with other backyard elements to make your landscape more cohesive. Retaining walls are also perfect for a fire pit, pond, or waterfall.
- Fenced walls that provide more security and privacy. It raises home value and makes it more attractive to potential buyers.
- Wire mesh walls that look seamless and more modern. Whether it’s stones or wood you’ll put in your wire mesh, it’s sure to make your retaining wall fresher and more innovative.
