A retaining wall may be a necessity, but it can also be a unique feature that elevates your landscape design in Newton, MA. Retaining walls offer a number of design opportunities that can open up room for additional features, and create beautiful designs in a sloping outdoor space. When incorporating a new retaining wall into your outdoor living space, it’s a good idea to consider some creative ideas to integrate it with the rest of your landscape.
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Level Up Your Patio
Incorporating a patio with multiple levels into your landscape design can make room for more features and activities in your outdoor living space, and retaining walls can help to visually establish these different areas. Consider using the different levels to create outdoor spaces with different functions, such as a covered patio, an outdoor kitchen, or an area for relaxation.
A split-level patio can also offer opportunities to enhance the complexity and beauty of your landscape design. Elements like steps can create a focal point for your landscape, while using different combinations of materials on each level may help to achieve a more layered look.
Focus on Materials
High-quality materials are important for creating a retaining wall that is durable, attractive, and requires minimal maintenance. Materials also have a major impact on the look and feel of the wall, and how it integrates with other elements of the outdoor space, so it’s a good idea to explore the possibilities of different colors, textures, and shapes.
When looking at materials, think about the feeling that each one conveys. The look of a lighter stone can create a more natural, warm feeling, while a darker stone may add a sophisticated and unique look to your outdoor space.
Add Depth With Columns
Adding columns to a retaining wall can help to emphasize the dimension and height that it creates in your outdoor space. Columns can also be a great way to set off elements attached to the wall such as fences or steps.
There are a variety of aspects to consider when it comes to adding columns to a retaining wall. What function do they serve? What height should they be? Will these columns mark endpoints of the wall, or will they be dispersed evenly throughout the length of the wall?
Water Features
The slope of a retaining wall can provide a great opportunity to incorporate a water feature, such as a water fountain or waterfall. With a water feature included, a retaining wall becomes a unique element and central focal point of your landscape design.
Water features can create a tranquil atmosphere in your outdoor space, by bringing out the sense of nature in your yard.
Incorporate Plantings
A retaining wall can provide a great opportunity to add layers to your fine garden. Incorporating plantings into the retaining wall can bring the garden off the low ground, making it so you can easily cut blooms for your dining table or harvest herbs.
Incorporating plantings into your retaining wall can help to emphasize the beauty of your landscape, breaking up large areas of lawn, and picking up the color and vibrancy of other plantings, in a way that will tie your landscape together in a cohesive way.
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