19 Retaining Wall Ideas

Find inspiration for your retaining wall design from these images of stone, concrete, timber and other types of retaining walls that make a dramatic impact in the landscape.

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June 01, 2020

By: Felicia Feaster

Related To:

Epic Stone Walls

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

From: Houlihan Lawrence and Luxury Portfolio International®

Terraced Yard and Brick Patio

The transition from the mountain landscape into this home's outdoor areas feels practically seamless. Walls made with boulders and terraced steps are a graceful blend with the natural foliage. And charming steps and walkways lead the visitor through it all.

From: Chase International and Luxury Portfolio International®

Backyard With Fieldstone Retaining Wall

Fieldstone retaining walls frame in terraced lawns in this grand backyard. Low-scale shrubs, ornamental grasses and evergreens ensure there is always some elegant greenery to see.

From: Nilsen Landscape Design

Raised Beds and Stairs

What was once a slippery clay slope became a wonderful edible garden with the addition of terraced raised beds, steps and gravel treads. The gardens are only 4 feet wide, so they're easy to access from all sides.

From: Christian Douglas Design

Concrete Patio With Retaining/Privacy Wall

A concrete retaining wall creates a private feel around this cool, bohemian patio. A planted yard extends above the wall for additional privacy and natural decor.

From: Erica Reitman

Terraced Wooden Raised Beds

This clever use of a sloped yard employs wooden steps flanked by terraced raised beds filled with diverse plants for visual appeal.

From: Jamie Durie

Stone Retaining Wall

This California home showcases Provençal-inspired designs and florals, featuring a stone-cladded retaining wall and terraced blooming plants.

From: Bosler Earth Design

Backyard With Retaining Wall and Manmade Oak Tree

For this backyard plan, designers wanted a tree from which to hang a large swing. Because there weren't any trees big enough to support the swing, they custom-designed one out of steel and fiberglass.

From: Patrick Cloonan

Gabion Wall to Hold Off Erosion

This modern, Southwestern style home gets the perfect desert landscape. A gabion wall which functions as a retaining wall stands at the back of the yard, next to the foundation of the house, to help curb erosion.

From: Sage Design Studios

Eclectic Tiered Paver Patio

A tiered paver patio by Southview Design in Minnesota creates space for dining areas, a bar area and a fire pit, and is accessorized with colorful materials. A modular block retaining wall also was used to frame the area.

Pool With Retaining Wall

This pool area is surrounded by a low stone wall, and just beyond a brick wall around the pool is a lovely addition to more rustic and large stone masonry. Shrubs, plants and a lush lawn complete this outdoor living space.

From: Becker Studios

Playground Garden

This garden includes a welcoming playground for children of all ages by adding both a playhouse and a water feature. Stone retaining walls with cement steps keep the area contained.

Retaining Walls Help Recapture Backyard

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

From: Craig Reynolds Landscape Architecture

Backyard With Stacked Stone Retaining Walls

This expansive backyard features detailed landscaping, with stacked stone retaining walls leading to the nearby bocce ball court, and a stunning swimming pool with a boulder water feature.

From: Platinum Landscape & Pools

Dramatic Setting

Large retaining walls of stone make for a dramatic landscape feature.

Backyard Wall

A child's playhouse is tucked into a hillside and sits atop an existing retaining wall, so it doesn't take up much space on the homeowner's lawn.

Beautifully Landscaped Home

The front yard of this contemporary lakeside home features a beautiful, symmetrical design with concrete retaining walls.

From: Juxtapose Design Build

Charming Rock Wall

A low-level retaining wall designed by Santine Deflaminio of Vintage Masonry not only marks the perimeter of this residence in Massachusetts, but also showcases views of its gorgeous landscaping.

From: Seoane Landscape Design

Timber Retaining Wall

A timber retaining wall is great for reshaping a sloped yard and lending a real identity and presence to your garden area.

Shop This Look

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

Photo By: Chase International, a member of Luxury Portfolio International

Photo By: Rosemary Fletcher

Photo By: Christian Douglas

Photo By: Bethany Nauert; Styled By: Paige Geffen

Photo By: Daniel Bosler Photography

Photo By: Kevin Reeves Photography

Photo By: Jonathan Spears, ASLA

Photo By: Southview Designs

Photo By: David Palermo

Photo By: Photo by pam25

Photo By: Craig Reynolds Landscape Architecture

Photo By: Rick Meinzer

Photo By: Flynnside Out

Photo By: Courtesy Barbara Butler

Photo By: Juxtapose Design Build

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

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