Retaining Wall Design: Examples of Innovative Retaining Walls

 

 

If you have been considering revamping your garden and backyard areas recently, you’ll know that there are numerous ways that you can turn your backyard into an outdoor oasis. From landscaping or adding a pool and pergola area to building a new outdoor entertaining area, your options are endless. If you want to take your backyard to the next level, literally, you should consider adding in terraces or levels to create depth and character in your yard with your concrete retaining walls or timber retaining walls.

Retaining walls are the perfect way to add character and layers to your yard in a stylish way and if you’re looking for inspiration for the best retaining wall designs, we can help.

 

TIMBER RETAINING WALLS

If you are looking for a retaining wall design that is sturdy, timber retaining walls are not only durable, but they look fantastic in a multitude of different settings. A timber retaining wall is affordable, strong and can easily be customised to your needs and space making it a great option for almost anyone. While timber retaining walls don’t last as long as concrete or stone retaining walls and will need to be eventually replaced, they are still designed to last for a long time. Some of our favourites are:

 

Wood retaining walls for gardens

Timber retaining walls for gardens are a cost-effective way to provide a natural aesthetic in any garden. Reinforced timber is not only strong, but the wood blends well with your garden and is a great subtle touch. You can choose to stain, treat or paint the wood or you can leave it natural and untreated.

 

Wood retaining walls for raised garden beds

Raised garden beds are a creative way to create some depth and usable space in your backyard for a flower or vegetable garden. Raised garden beds utilising timber retaining walls are particularly handy as the retaining wall drainage is perfect to grow your plants and vegetables in. With the help of wooden retaining walls, you can create multiple different raised levels throughout your yard to create the perfect gardener's paradise.

 

Wood retaining walls for built-in seating

A really clever way to create more seating in your backyard is to utilise your retaining walls. Not only can you create different levels and sections in your yard, but you can also choose to build seating into the wall itself. This is a great way to utilise your space without taking up unnecessary room that you might be tight on.

 

Wood retaining walls for rustic gardens

Wooden retaining walls that utilise timber sleepers are the perfect retaining wall for a rustic style garden. A sleeper retaining wall offers a unique option to provide a backyard with a rustic and natural look without being incredibly expensive. This is the perfect retaining wall type for traditional style homes such as old Queenslanders or country style homes. Utilise older pieces of treated wood such as pine or timber to achieve the look that you are going for.

 

Wood retaining walls for sloping gardens

If your garden or backyard has an awkward property line or you want to create a flat space on a sloped property, a sloping timber wall is an answer. Sloping timber walls will help to add symmetry to your yard while also helping to level off the ground to create a flat space.

 

CONCRETE RETAINING WALLS

Concrete retaining walls are a great option for anyone who wants a retaining wall that is going to last well into the future. While they are often a little more expensive than a wooden retaining wall, they are well worth the investment. Some of our favourite concrete retaining walls include:

 

 

Concrete retaining walls for backyards

Concrete retaining walls for backyards are strong, stylish and infinitely customisable. No matter how big or small your yard is, what shape it is or what you’re trying to achieve with your retaining walls, you’re sure to find a concrete retaining wall that is exactly what you need. You will be able to add levels, gardens, slopes and other features to create the perfect backyard.

 

Concrete retaining walls for a Mediterranean style garden

Not only are concrete retaining walls functional and sturdy, but they can be customised to be aesthetic as well. If you’re creating a theme for your backyard, such as a Mediterranean oasis or garden you can style your retaining wall to fit in with the aesthetics. Mosaics or stone cladding are easy enough to attach to your concrete retaining wall and they are beautiful features that can add colour, style and character to your area.

 

Concrete retaining walls for tiered terraces

If you have plenty of room to work with in your backyard, you can consider creating some tiered terraces with low concrete retaining walls. Tiered terraces add depth to your backyard and are a great option if you have a natural sloping yard as they work with the angles of the natural landscape, rather than against it.

 

Concrete retaining walls for integrated water features

Most retaining walls are used to hold back sand and soil and retain the shape of the yard. However, you can also add water features to your concrete retaining walls to create a completely unique garden area. These water features could be a part of your pool area such as a small waterfall from your retaining wall into your pool. Or, you could also integrate small features such as a small fish pond with its own small waterfall into your wall. The possibilities are endless.

Concrete retaining walls are perfect for water features as the water won’t ruin the stone so you can be confident that it will continue to stay strong.

 

Concrete retaining walls for a chic minimalist look

Concrete retaining walls that utilise gabion baskets are making a swift comeback, especially in modern, minimalist homes. Whether you choose to fill the gabion baskets with large concrete blocks or smaller concrete blocks and stones, your resulting retaining wall is going to be strong, resilient and the envy of the neighbourhood. Gabion baskets are stylish and can be utilised as the main feature in your backyard, especially if you keep your landscaping to a minimal level.

 

SUMMARY

 

Retaining walls are a fantastic way to add depth, character and a unique perspective to your backyard and garden areas. Retaining wall designs are customisable and provide a huge range of benefits that can completely transform your yard. Whether you prefer the natural aesthetic that a timber retaining wall offers or you want the more contemporary look that a concrete retaining wall has to offer, you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for. If you’re ready to get started creating your perfect backyard and resting wall, book an appointment with us today.

 

We have a huge range of retaining wall products on offer for all styles of backyard and garden. Give us a call now to discuss retaining wall design ideas.