A Beautiful and Functional Landscape Design Can Be Achieved with a Retaining Wall in the Lewis Center, OH Area

As your landscape design takes shape, the concept of a retaining wall may be considered as part of the updates made to your home in the Lewis Center, OH area. Although a retaining wall often has a very specific use, it can also enhance your outdoor space. Your retaining wall can be beautifully integrated into your landscape and even become one of your favorite features.

Why a Retaining Wall?

Retaining walls are most often seen in landscapes that have a slope. A retaining wall is frequently used to prevent soil erosion, manage water runoff, and flatten a slope. By using a retaining wall to lessen or eliminate a slope, you can open up more space and more functionality, and also include more features in your landscape. If you see runoff water erosion and damage around your property, a retaining wall can also help channel the water into specifically designated areas, like a rain garden.

Types of Retaining Walls

You may be used to seeing basic retaining walls around industrial areas that serve a very specific purpose. In these cases, it’s unlikely that landowners are concerned with how the retaining wall looks, resulting in very basic and sometimes forgettable styles. Fortunately, there are different options that can make your retaining wall beautiful—with gorgeous options for textured, colored wall blocks that look just like real natural stone. Wide coping can offer aple space for beautiful planting pots or could be smooth for comfortable seating.

Retaining Wall Uses

While retaining walls are commonly used on sloped areas, that’s not their only use. Retaining walls can work well around paver patios to create a more defined border and create more separation between landscape features. A shorter retaining wall may be placed around a fire pit or an outdoor fireplace to provide bench seating for guests to enjoy the crackling fire. A retaining wall can even be used to support your driveway by preventing significant erosion and runoff water from damaging your parking area.

Whether you have an existing retaining wall or are looking to have one built, one of the most beautiful ways to bring life to the feature is by creating a garden on and around it. A retaining wall can be a great foundation for plantings, taking your ordinary garden and elevating it to display your favorite plants like a museum gallery.

By adding some of your favorite flowers, you can include bright pops of color along your retaining wall that contrast nicely against the wall’s neutral color. The softness provided by flowers can dull the more industrial feeling that a retaining wall gives. For even more contrast, consider planting native grasses along your retaining wall to give some much-needed movement. For a really whimsical approach, creeping plants, like ivy, can be trained to scale your retaining wall. The neutral colors of a retaining wall peeking through the sheet of green can make for an eye-catching backdrop. Then consider adding outdoor lighting along your retaining wall garden so you and your guests can enjoy it day or night.