You may need a retaining wall if you have uneven terrain around your house. The retaining wall keeps soil to one side, allowing for a lower floor level on the other. Concrete was used in the past because it’s strong, durable, and looks good. Although they are instrumental, retaining walls can also look great. Check out our 22-having wall ideas for inspiration.
Irregular Flagstone Wall
This wall of flagstones with irregular shapes and sizes looks stunning. It is not a retaining wall but a dominant feature of the landscape. Natural flagstones create a rustic look. The lack of uniformity gives it a more earthy, rustic feel. Despite these elements, this wall still manages to look stylish and modern. Gray is the perfect color for a contemporary style. The size of the wall and blocks is impressive, and it will be a focal point for your home. The build’s irregularities may make you think you can do it yourself. However, this would require a professional to finish.
Decorated Block Work
This retaining wall was built using a precise pattern and exact measurements. It looks futuristic and would be at home with flying cars and robots. The wall can be a background to your landscape, even though it’s a great design feature. In this example, the design looks great on a large scale but would look just as impressive for a smaller retaining wall.
Patchwork Stone
This retaining wall is an excellent example of how a few colors can create a pattern similar to a quilt your grandmother would have sewn. The blocks are not arranged in a specific way but randomly, making the wall feel more comfortable and relaxed. These bricks with slightly rounded edges make your home feel cozy and warm. On the other hand, bricks with sharper edges give off a harsh feeling. To ensure consistency throughout your property, it is best to match your retaining wall style to your house’s.
Sturdy Fence
A wooden fence is usually a more cost-effective choice when replacing or building retaining walls. A wooden fence is a good option if budget is a priority. Timber fence panels are more cost-effective than concrete or stone and look neater and cleaner, giving your landscaping a uniform appearance. The fence’s construction must be strong enough to support the weight of soil on one side. A fence’s lifespan is usually shorter than a stone wall, so your retaining walls may need to be replaced more often.
Integrated Steps
By incorporating a stone stairway into your retaining wall design, you can give the impression that it is less about the necessity and more about design. The decorative steps provide a more exciting look to a retaining wall that would otherwise seem plain. A staircase allows you to access the upper level of your retaining wall easily. The integrated steps will help you to connect your two groups, reducing the stark contrast between high and low levels.
Sandstone
With its consistent block pattern, this pale sandstone strikes the perfect balance between a modern look and a touch of history. This sandstone evokes an old-world elegance without being pretentious. The sandstone is expensive, so a large retaining wall will be pricey if you choose this style. These natural bricks are durable and will last a lifetime. Retaining walls like this is a good investment if you value quality and durability.
Tiered Terrace
This block terrace can create multiple low retaining walls that rise from the ground. They will make your retaining wall appear more rounded in the landscape. You can also create flower beds or solar lights on different levels. This build is more time-consuming and complex than a single retaining wall. It will require a higher budget if you hire a contractor.
Gabion Wall
Once a standard structure in civil engineering and military bases, Gabions create walls and edges around your home. Gabions are wire cages that contain bricks or stone. Your choice of wire cage will determine the size of stone you can use. Tighter woven wires can hold smaller rocks. These edgy and cool gabions add an industrial touch to your landscape. These gabions are large and require space in your yard.
Multicolor Mosaic
This retaining wall was made from natural stone pebbles of various colors. The pastel colors are fun and quirky but not too loud. If you don’t like to garden and are not interested in bright flowers, this would be an excellent feature wall for your yard. The integrated staircase was built using the same stone as the retaining walls, creating a sense of continuity. It also helps blend the features into the landscape.
Concrete Cylinders
The landscape is given a modern industrial look by the clever use of concrete palisades. This would be an excellent fit for modern minimalist, unique, and architecturally original houses. This is retaining wall style could also be used on more mainstream properties. It is so simple it does not need to be the main feature.
Living Wall
The retaining wall was constructed from concrete slabs in a brickwork pattern. This alone is a powerful feature. The most exciting part of this wall is the gaps between the concrete slabs, filled with plants, to create a living fence. This is a great retaining wall for those who love plants and greenery. You can fill in the gaps with your favorite plants if you are a gardener. The plants will eventually cover the concrete, creating the illusion of a solid green wall.
Tiered Hedge
This is a new take on the traditional tiered retaining walls. This design is a modern take on a retaining wall. The gabions are interspersed between rows of hedges, creating a sleek and stylish look. Leave plenty of space between each tier for a thick border for this look. Also, keep up with hedge trimming, as a messy or overgrown fence will ruin the design. Use dark or pale pebbles to contrast the vibrant greenery of your hedge’s foliage. These gabions look less impressive with medium-colored gravel.
Boulder Stack
This is one of the most accessible retaining walls for most people to build, as long as your wall is not over a few feet tall. You can find boulders in medium and large sizes at a DIY or garden center. Stack them on top of one another to fill the gaps. Add a layer between the boulders of concrete or builders’ sand to make the wall more robust and durable.
Wooden Walls
This wooden retaining wall is a unique take on fence panels. The wooden retaining walls will take longer than a timber fence wall but look much more stylish. You can make your own wooden retaining walls with good carpentry skills. Use any length of wood you can find. You can upcycle old pallets to create a custom timber wall if you are into recycling. If you have leftover timber, this retaining wall is a great option.
Low Block Wall
The materials you can use to construct the wall are much more varied if your retaining wall is low. This low-profile retaining wall was erected using breeze blocks (concrete masonry units). These blocks are easy to install and inexpensive to purchase. This design was once considered too simple, but now it fits perfectly with the industrial style trend. You can save money by completing this retaining wall yourself.
