25 Sturdy Retaining Wall Ideas for a Sloped Yard

From stacked stone to board-formed concrete and everything in between, these creative retaining wall ideas show how thoughtful design can make a dramatic impact. By turning something structural into something beautiful, retaining walls can take your property's landscape design to the next level.

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March 10, 2021

By: Kamron Sanders and Felicia Feaster

Related To:

Retaining Walls: Sloped Yard Solution

Ah, retaining walls. For something that has so much potential to improve the look and usability of a property, these structural strongholds are often nothing more than a practical way of keeping water and dirt where they belong on a pesky slope. But, who really wants a drab concrete wall next to their home? Not us! So, we've compiled 25 of our favorite ways to turn a sloped yard into a real showstopper.

From: Cornerstone Architects

Enjoy Your Patio Year-Round

Cleverly extend the outdoor season by tucking outdoor spaces into recessed pockets. In this case, the board-formed concrete retaining wall provides protection from the wind as well as a solar heat mass to make the terrace warmer than it normally would be. Learn more about clever patios designed for winter, below.

learn more: 8 Winter-Proof Patio Designs We Love + the Hottest Trends You'll See Come Spring

From: Wagner Hodgson

When In Doubt, Install a Pool

To make use of the awkward slope between this gorgeous beach house and the start of the beachfront, the architect positioned a lengthy lap pool along the edge of the deck. The pool's concrete shell serves as the retaining wall for the property and maximizes the lot's potential. Follow the link, below, for a full tour of this waterside retreat.

See More Photos: Waterside Retreats: Stunning Oceanfront Deck & Pool

From: Craig Reynolds Landscape Architecture

Make Your Pool Infinitely Better

If installing a hillside pool sounds like a good idea, we've got an even better idea for your retaining wall. Can you say infinity edge? By cutting out the center portion of this retaining wall, the designer was able to offer the homeowner the luxury of an infinity-edge pool as well as access to the gorgeous vista. Dive in to more envy-inspiring infinity-edge pools, below.

See More Photos: Amazing Infinity Pools

From: Torrey Pines Landscape Company

Or, Fill Them With a Fountain

Rather than feature a boring blank wall on the side of this pool, the builders chose to incorporate a water feature and fun geometric tiles. This is a creative way to turn an otherwise simple structural element into a conversation piece. Check out more of our favorite pool fountains, below.

See More Photos: 17 Fabulous Pool Fountains

From: Lisa Gimmy Landscape Architecture

Blend In With the Surroundings

The goal of this hillside home's retaining wall was to blend in with the hillside as much as possible, while still carving out spots for a pool and lounge area. Multiple board-formed concrete retaining walls feature tall ornamental grasses cleverly planted between them, making it hard to differentiate between the levels. Follow the link, below, to see more of this stunning property.

See More Photos: Waterside Retreat: Ocean Views From Hilltop Home

From: Shades of Green Landscape Architecture

Carve Out an Oasis

A small fieldstone retaining wall and a cozy flagstone patio create the perfect spot to enjoy a sweeping vista of the surrounding California hills, and this cozy cedar hot tub is calling our name! The choice of ornamental grasses and native trees helps the hidden oasis to stay just that: hidden. Learn more about incorporating native plants by following the link, below.

See More Photos: 10 Native Plants You Need to Be Growing

From: Margie Grace

Go Big With Boulders

While a perfect row of boulders may be a rare sight in nature, this installation is a great bridge between the manicured lawn and the carefully planted slope. The immensely heavy boulders hold the landscaped hillside up with ease, at once serving both a practical purpose and creating a stunning visual. Want to build your own boulder retaining wall? Follow the link, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to Build a Boulder Retaining Wall

From: Scenic Landscaping

Keep Things Natural

Wanting to make full use of a lot's natural slope? Create a stone retaining wall with a waterfall flowing right into a koi pond. An organic look like this can shore up a slope without compromising your yard's all-natural beauty. Tour this beautiful naturalistic landscape, below.

See More Photos: Gorgeous Gardens: Koi Pond Is Perfect Spot for Reflection

From: Surrounds Landscape Architecture + Construction

Or, Go a More Formal Route

Rather than one tall retaining wall towering over the driveway, multiple tiered stone retaining walls sweep around the front of this breathtaking Cape Cod estate, lending elegance to the property. Because tall retaining walls require much more engineering to perform under the excess load, resulting in more work and higher costs, stepping down several small retaining walls is a bright idea. To learn more about planning for retaining wall heights, watch our quick video, below.

Watch the Video: Retaining Wall Height

From: Scenic Landscaping

Double-Down on Privacy

Get two for the price of one! The tall brick retaining walls flanking the sidewalk in front of this midcentury modern home double as privacy walls, giving the home's front yard a clean, yet interesting look. Consider adding walls in a variety of heights to lend visual interest to the front of your home. Get more tips for boosting your home's curb appeal, below.

See More Photos: Front Yard Landscaping Ideas: 13 Hot Tips

From: R Design Landscape Architecture

Expand Your Home's Footprint

Want to expand the footprint of your home? Build a retaining wall. This beautiful hilltop home utilizes a combo of cut stone and stacked boulders to create a level spot for an impressive outdoor entertaining space. Take a closer look at this extravagant entertaining area, below.

See More Photos: Outdoor Oasis: Elevated Backyard Gathering Space

From: Mom's Design Build

Give Concrete a Glow-Up

A low, board-formed concrete retaining wall creates a flat grassy area and adds to the midcentury design of this home. At first glance, the steps look to be painted yellow but, upon closer inspection, you'll see that they are cleverly illuminated. Learn more about landscape lighting, below.

learn more: Landscape Lighting Tips

From: R Design Landscape Architecture

Add Storage Wherever You Can

If you’re going to install a retaining wall, you may as well add some storage to boot, right? After all, who doesn’t want a gorgeous storage shed nestled into the hillside that perfectly matches the exterior of their home. Learn more about more backyard storage via a shed, below.

learn more: Backyard Shed Buying and Planning Guide

From: Zucker Design Associates

Create a Resort-Like Feel

The property, surrounding this luxurious home, is customized to a T. The fountain spilling off the over-the-top retaining wall is a showstopping statement-maker that lends the property a resort-like ambiance. In love with this resort-style backyard? Follow the link, below, to check out one of our favorites!

learn more: Beat the Winter Blahs With This Resort-Style Backyard

From: Maldonado Nursery & Landscaping

Never Waste Waterfront

A well-planned retaining wall ensures that even the steepest lots can include room for relaxation. The slope of this property may be steep but installing an Ipe wood deck and stainless-steel cable rail below this massive retaining wall made it accessible and gave it the wow-factor it deserved. This creative addition allows the homeowner to enjoy the waterfront lot to the fullest. Take a tour of this stunning lakeside home, below.

See More Photos: Waterside Retreats: Lake House With Industrial Detail

From: Wagner Hodgson

Throw a Curveball Into Your Plans

To prevent concrete retaining walls from lending a corporate-parking-lot vibe, simply add a sleek curve. This simple change makes a major difference in the backyard's aesthetic and keeps it from feeling stiff. Never underestimate the power of thinking outside the box.

From: Shades of Green Landscape Architecture

Maximize Your Outdoor Space

The best retaining walls are those that serve a purpose beyond just keeping a slope in check. This clever stacked timber design provides bench seating for one half of the outdoor dining table, maximizing functionality and saving precious outdoor entertaining space. Learn how to construct your own retaining wall from pressure-treated wood posts, below.

Get the How-To: How to Build a Retaining Wall

From: R Design Landscape Architecture

Big Budgets = Big Stone Walls

In addition to its obvious luxuries, this estate's backyard has hidden treasures, like a small viewing terrace tucked behind one of the massive, stacked stone retaining walls.

From: Houlihan Lawrence and Luxury Portfolio International®

Concrete Patio With Retaining/Privacy Wall

In this dramatically sloped Los Angeles backyard, a concrete retaining wall creates a private feel around this boho-inspired patio. A planted yard extends above the wall for additional privacy and natural decor. Boho not your design go-to? Check out our tips for achieving two additional looks, below.

See More Photos: 1 Patio, 3 Global-Inspired Makeovers

From: Erica Reitman

Minimal + Modern

The front yard of this modern lakeside home features a beautiful, symmetrical design with concrete retaining walls that add a sculptural design element to draw your eye to the home's striking architectural elements.

From: Juxtapose Design Build

Retaining Walls = Rolling Hills

Looking at it now, it's hard to believe that this backyard once sloped straight down the hill. After careful planning by the landscape architect, locally cut stone retaining walls were added to level off the deck and recapture all of this usable space.

From: Craig Reynolds Landscape Architecture

Charming Rock Wall

A low retaining wall not only marks the perimeter of this luxurious residence in Massachusetts, but also provides low seating and framed views of its manicured landscaping.

From: Seoane Landscape Design

Get Growing With a Terraced Design

This clever use of a sloped yard employs wooden steps flanked by terraced raised beds filled with a variety of herbs, edibles and blooms for maximum plants in minimum square footage.

From: Jamie Durie

Gabion Wall to Hold Off Erosion

This modern, Southwestern home gets the perfect desert landscape with xeriscaped plantings that'll require minimal irrigation. A gabion wall which, consists of stones inside a metal framework, functions as a retaining wall to help curb erosion. Learn more about the xeriscape planting, below.

Learn More: Xeriscape Design Ideas

From: Sage Design Studios

Shop This Look

Photo By: Reagen Taylor

Photo By: Westphalen Photography

Photo By: Tamara Alvarez, Landscape Architects: Landwise Design & Craig Reynolds Landscape Architecture

Photo By: Martin Mann

Photo By: John Ellis Photography

Photo By: Marion Brenner

Photo By: Lepere Studio

Photo By: Heather Knapp

Photo By: Morgan Howarth Photography

Photo By: Heather Knapp

Photo By: Michael de Leon Photography

Photo By: Mom's Design Build

Photo By: Michael de Leon Photography

Photo By: Jeri Koegel Photography

Photo By: Maldonado Nursery & Landscaping

Photo By: Westphalen Photography

Photo By: Marion Brenner

Photo By: Michael de Leon Photography

Photo By: Houlihan Lawrence, a member of Luxury Portfolio International

Photo By: Bethany Nauert; Styled By: Paige Geffen

Photo By: Juxtapose Design Build

Photo By: Craig Reynolds Landscape Architecture

Photo By: Photography: Rosemary Fletcher; Architect: Richard Seaberg of RS Architectural Partners, LLC; Mason: Santine DiFlaminio of Vintage Masonry; Builder: McKay Construction -Hingham, MA

Photo By: Jonathan Spears, ASLA

25 Sturdy Retaining Wall Ideas for a Sloped Yard

Related To:

Retaining Walls: Sloped Yard Solution

Enjoy Your Patio Year-Round

When In Doubt, Install a Pool

Make Your Pool Infinitely Better

Or, Fill Them With a Fountain

Blend In With the Surroundings

Carve Out an Oasis

Go Big With Boulders

Keep Things Natural

Or, Go a More Formal Route

Double-Down on Privacy

Expand Your Home's Footprint

Give Concrete a Glow-Up

Add Storage Wherever You Can

Create a Resort-Like Feel

Never Waste Waterfront

Throw a Curveball Into Your Plans

Maximize Your Outdoor Space

Big Budgets = Big Stone Walls

Concrete Patio With Retaining/Privacy Wall

Minimal + Modern

Retaining Walls = Rolling Hills

Charming Rock Wall

Get Growing With a Terraced Design

Gabion Wall to Hold Off Erosion

Shop This Look

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