Tips for Softening the Look of a Retaining Wall in the Northville and Canton, MI Areas
While stone retaining walls offer structural benefits and can contribute to the overall appeal of your landscape, their rugged appearance might sometimes feel a bit harsh or overpowering. However, with a touch of creativity and strategic landscaping, the look can be softened. Here are a few tips to enhance the aesthetic of a retaining wall, to make it a truly inviting and appealing feature of your Northville or Canton, MI outdoor space.
Add Wall Caps
Wall caps, or capstone, add to the beauty of a retaining wall, with a contrasting color and texture to the rest of it. It adds visual interest while also diminishing any imposing feel of the wall.
Incorporate Lighting
Adding lighting can also significantly soften the appearance of a stone retaining wall. Strategically placed lights can highlight the wall's texture and color while providing a warm, inviting glow during the evening hours. You could even have lights installed within your retaining wall.
Use Colorful Stone or Pebbles
When your landscaper is designing and building your new stone wall, they could incorporate colorful stones or pebbles into the design. The added color will break up the monotonous gray and soften the overall look.
Add Seating
Your retaining wall could be designed to include built-in seating on top of it. You could then add cushions or other soft, cozy materials that help soften up the look and feel of the wall. Instead of contrasting with the surrounding area, the wall can help add function by including seating.
Install Plant Trees and Shrubs Near the Wall
Planting taller plants, such as trees and shrubs, near the retaining wall can help balance the wall's hard appearance. These plants can draw the eye upward and away from the stone wall, and their foliage can create a softer overall aesthetic.
Integrate Fire Features
Incorporating fire features can add an element of warmth and intrigue to your stone retaining wall. Consider building a fire pit or outdoor fireplace into or near the wall. The warm, flickering flames against the backdrop of the stone can offer a softened, inviting ambiance.
Install a Custom Pool or Pond
A custom pool or pond installed in front of your stone retaining wall can add a sense of tranquility and interest to your landscape. The reflection of the stone wall in the water can create a beautiful visual effect, softening the wall's appearance. For a more dramatic effect, consider incorporating a waterfall from the wall into the pool. This combination of water and stone can create a striking yet serene visual.
Create a Stone Walkway
Building a stone walkway that leads to, or even along, your retaining wall can provide a cohesive look that softens the wall's overall appearance. By repeating the stone material in a horizontal plane, the stark verticality of the wall can be offset. You could add some low-growing plants or moss between the stones of the walkway to add a softer, greener touch.
Install a Spa
If space allows, installing a spa near your stone retaining wall can dramatically change the area’s look and feel. Not only will this add a luxury feature to your yard, but the steam and water will contrast nicely with the stone, providing a softer look. Plus, this gives you a relaxing spot to enjoy your newly enhanced landscape!
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.