Expert Tips for Incorporating a Much-Needed Retaining Wall in Your Landscape Design in the Ann Arbor, MI Areas
The idea of incorporating a retaining wall in your landscape design in the Ann Arbor, MI area can lead to several decisions, from choosing the right material to considering proper placement. While a retaining wall is typically a functional feature for a landscape, there are a few options to make it a fun and beautiful addition, too.
Why a Retaining Wall?
A retaining wall is typically used to prevent soil from moving. If your yard has a significant slope, a retaining wall can be a good solution to help flatten the area and create more usable space. A retaining wall can also help with drainage if you receive a lot of rain or standing water. Because a retaining wall can be customized, it can complement your landscape design and add even more function than just flattening a slope.
Different Styles
A retaining wall is usually built with natural stone or concrete blocks. These materials can come in different earth tones to fit your landscape design. Using one color throughout your retaining wall can give it a more uniform appearance that helps highlight other features on or around the wall. You can include different colors in your retaining wall for fun designs, like including a darker wall block along the edges to create a border pattern.
Combining multiple colors to create a randomized pattern can help bring some character to the feature and make it a unique addition. Wall blocks are available in different sizes and using a variety of sizes can make your retaining wall a dual-purpose feature. For example, using wider, flatter wall blocks at the top of your retaining wall can create a shelf-like surface that can pull double duty as an area for drinks and snacks. A retaining wall can also be curved gently or shaped around corners to fit your space.
Designated Areas
If you would like to utilize your retaining wall differently, they are helpful in creating clearly defined areas between different features in your backyard. A shorter retaining wall can be installed around your paver patio to provide some separation between a lounging area and lawn games. These structures can also create alcoves for features that you would like more secluded, like a fire pit. Adding a retaining wall around a pool area can not only help keep unwanted guests, like wildlife, out of the area but can also let guests dry off and lounge poolside in peace.
Fine Garden Area
Display your favorite plants in a unique way by incorporating them into your retaining wall. Because retaining walls naturally create shelves when helping to level an area, that flat area can be great for gardens. Flowering plants at the top and bottom of the wall can add pops of color against the earth tone feature. There’s even an opportunity to train vines, like ivy, to grow along the face of the retaining wall to create a beautiful green backdrop.
Outdoor Lighting
There’s no need for your retaining wall to fade into the dark as the sun sets. Adding outdoor lighting to your retaining wall can both illuminate the area and highlight the feature as the standalone conversation piece that it is. If you have plantings along your retaining wall, outdoor lighting can help you and your guests continue to enjoy your plants even during nighttime gatherings. If your retaining wall also incorporates stairs, outdoor lighting can help keep guests safe as they traverse the steps.
About the Author
Through consistent communication among all our lawn care, landscape maintenance, and irrigation team members, Local Life provides efficient and reliable landscape solutions. From our full property analysis during our maintenance visits to the expert design and construction options we offer, we provide a wide range of services for keeping landscapes beautiful. And our customers’ satisfaction is second-to-none. Everything we do follows our core set of values—safety, accountability, continuous learning, teamwork, and integrity. Our knowledgeable team has your property’s best interest at heart.