How to Enhance and Protect Your Property and Increase Livable Space through Retaining Walls

Retaining walls are a popular feature in landscape design that serve a variety of purposes. Not only do they add aesthetic appeal, but they can also increase your usable property space, solve your erosion problems, and serve as planters for elevated gardens.

In this post, we'll explore the many benefits of incorporating retaining walls into your landscaping.

With the Nashville real estate market calming down in 2023, more and more of our clients are planning to be in their homes for longer and are beginning to rethink the use of their space for the long term. Rather than searching for a new home or property to meet their needs, homeowners are reassessing their homes and properties and determining how they can make the most of what they already have.

The number one way to take advantage of your property, regardless of space or slope, is through the use of a well-designed retaining wall system. One of the most significant advantages of retaining walls is their ability to increase the usable space on your property.

Retaining walls are commonly used to level off a sloping landscape, creating flat areas for outdoor living spaces or gardens. By creating a more level surface or dividing your property space into livable “rooms”, retaining walls allow you to make better use of your outdoor space, whether you want to create a seating area for entertaining guests or a play area for your children.

Another benefit of retaining walls is their ability to serve as planters. By using retaining walls as planters, you can elevate your gardens and landscape out of harm's way from pet traffic. This is especially beneficial if you have pets that love to dig or trample through your flower beds. By planting in elevated areas, you can protect your plants and flowers while also increasing your plantable space.

Retaining walls can also be used to define different living “room” areas of your outdoor space. By creating distinct spaces with retaining walls, you can create a sense of flow and continuity throughout your property. For example, you could use a retaining wall to create a separate area for a vegetable garden or to define the border of a patio or outdoor seating area.

In addition to their aesthetic and functional benefits, retaining walls can also help to prevent soil erosion. This is particularly important if you live in an area that is prone to heavy rainfall or runoff. Retaining walls hold soil in place, preventing erosion and runoff that can damage your landscaping or even your home's foundation.

Retaining walls can also be an excellent solution for drainage issues. If your home is situated on the bottom of a slope or If your property has areas that are prone to standing water, a retaining wall can be used to redirect water flow away from these areas. This can help to prevent water damage and reduce the risk of water infiltration in your home's foundation.

When it comes to choosing materials for your retaining walls, there are a variety of options to consider. Stone and concrete are popular choices due to their contemporary minimalism, durability, and longevity. However, there are also many other materials available, including brick, timber, rock, and even recycled materials.

In addition to choosing the right materials, it's also important to consider the design and placement of your retaining walls. A well-designed retaining wall should blend seamlessly into your landscaping and complement the overall aesthetic of your property. It's also important to ensure that the retaining wall is placed in the right location to achieve the desired results.

Retaining walls are such a versatile and practical feature that can add both aesthetic and functional benefits to your outdoor space, while also increasing your property’s value. From increasing usable property space to serving as planters, retaining walls offer a variety of benefits that make them a popular choice for landscape designers and homeowners alike. By choosing the right materials and designs, retaining walls can enhance the beauty and functionality of your outdoor space and allow your property’s design to fit the lifestyle of you and your family for years to come.