There’s a feature of landscapes that rarely gets enough credit for how it can transform outdoor living: The retaining wall, mainly for supporting soil and preventing erosion, can actually be a beautiful visual addition to a landscape and serve other functional purposes. Though it may not often be heralded as the favorite features or saviors of a landscape, the importance of a retaining wall could be considered as part of any landscape renovation. Retaining walls aren’t only for support, they can also be beautiful additions to a landscape in Lancaster and York, PA.

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Keeping the topsoil of the landscape intact is crucial to the health and beauty of a landscape and home. Exposed soil can quickly wash away, damaging both the exposed sections and those areas which can be buried in silt downstream. This landscape damage can lead to the destruction of plant life and damage landscape features as well as the home. A retaining wall helps control the flow of water and physically supports the earth above. Further erosion control tactics include drainage pipes and quality softscape maintenance. 

But there’s so much more to this utilitarian feature.

Expanding Usable Areas

Carving into a hillside and supporting it with a retaining wall can create a significant amount of added usable space. This newfound horizontal space can lead to the expansion of a patio; enable a more convenient walkway or driveway; and provide shade for water-loving plants, the addition of a garage, and even an expansion of the home.

If the property is steeply sloped, you could employ a series of terraces to create usable space and add interest. Terraces add a wonderful dimension to a landscape.

Landscape Lighting Opportunities

Retaining walls provide the opportunity for more comprehensive and intelligent lighting design. The light fixtures of so many different types of applications can sit squarely within the protection of the retaining wall, illuminating whatever walkway, patio, driveway, or landscape feature that sits nearby. The wall can even hide the lighting wires within the structure for a much more minimalist and intentional design aesthetic. 

Integrating with Living Spaces

Any time a retaining wall provides a boundary for an outdoor living space, it has the ability to blend in and become a useful component. The integration of seating in a retaining wall can improve the usable area by doubling the functions. When an outdoor kitchen or seating area backs up to a retaining wall, you get the sense of enclosure that makes the space feel cozier. You can also integrate a massive outdoor fireplace or dramatic water feature into a retaining wall, saving space while adding ambience.

Masonry Excellence

The use of masonry in a landscape is always a great way to create beauty as well as feelings of intention and permanence. A retaining wall will follow the design of the surrounding masonry features and home. The vertical surface of the retaining wall will also make it one of the most prominent masonry features of the entire landscape, showcasing its beauty. Within the design scheme, there is plenty of opportunity for creative flourishes and accents using a variety of stonework techniques.

Future Inspiration

Aside from fulfilling useful duties in the landscape and looking beautiful while doing so, the retaining wall can also inspire further landscape development. Between the increased horizontal usable space above and below the wall and the usefulness of the structure itself, there’s plenty of inspiration to be found in this surprisingly versatile landscape feature.

Related: A LANDSCAPE SUPPLY CENTER IS A GREAT PLACE TO FIND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR LANDSCAPE DESIGN IN LANCASTER AND YORK, PA

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