Could a Retaining Wall Add Usable Space to Your Yard?

Ever feel like your yard is just space you can’t fully use? You’re not alone! A lot of homeowners struggle to make the most of their outdoor space, especially if it’s sloped or uneven. But fear not—at Redbud Landscape, Inc., we’ve been adding unique hardscaping to people’s landscapes for over 18 years to help them reclaim their yards. In this post, we’ll explore how retaining walls can make a big difference in your landscape, adding function and beauty to your property.

What Is a Retaining Wall?

First things first, let’s define what a retaining wall is. A retaining wall is a structure designed to hold back soil or other materials from sloping areas. They’re typically used in landscapes with steep slopes or uneven terrain to create level surfaces for different purposes, such as gardening, seating areas, or recreational spaces.

Types of Retaining Walls

Various types of retaining walls are available depending on your specific needs and budget. Some common types include:

• Gravity walls: These are made of heavy materials like stone, concrete blocks, or brick and rely on their weight to resist the pressure from the soil.
• Cantilever walls: These are made of reinforced concrete and use a horizontal base to distribute the weight and pressure from the soil.
• Anchored walls: These use cables or rods anchored in the soil behind the wall for additional support.

How They Create Usable Space

When it comes to using retaining walls to create more usable space in your yard, you generally have two primary options: cutting into a sloped area or leveling off the slope. Cutting into a sloped area involves excavating part of the hillside and constructing a retaining wall to hold back the remaining earth. This method effectively increases the flat area above the wall, providing usable space directly atop what was once a steep incline. Alternatively, leveling off a slope typically means adding fill to the low side of the slope and constructing a retaining wall to support this new level area. This approach extends the usable space outward from the base of the slope and makes the area more accessible. Both methods are effective in transforming challenging terrains into functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces, and the choice between them depends mainly on the specific topography of your yard and your personal landscape goals.

What You Can Do With This New Usable Space

With a retaining wall, your yard doesn’t just become a flat surface but a canvas for creativity and functionality. These structures allow for the development of multiple tiers, which can serve diverse purposes, such as a vegetable garden in one section, a lounging area in another, or even an exquisite waterfall feature. Or, you can create one cohesive outdoor living space, with an outdoor kitchen and bar on one level and a seating area with a firepit on another. This terraced approach maximizes the usable space and brings dynamic, multi-dimensional beauty to your landscape, unlocking endless possibilities. Plus, retaining walls can also help with erosion control and prevent soil runoff, promoting the health and longevity of your garden or lawn.

Don’t Let Your Yard Go to Waste!

Your yard has the potential to be so much more than just a patch of grass. With retaining walls, you can transform uneven or sloped terrain into a functional and visually appealing space that adds value to your property. So why settle for a dull, underutilized yard when you could have an outdoor oasis? Contact Redbud Landscape, Inc. today, and let us help you create the perfect retaining wall for your landscape. Let’s reclaim your yard together!