When planning a landscape design for your property, incorporating retaining walls can solve several issues. These installations also lend a polished atmosphere to your outdoor areas. However, you may be unsure how a retaining wall will help bring your landscaping vision to life. Review the following guide to uncover several purposes they serve in problematic areas of a property.

What Can Retaining Walls Do?

1. Prevent Erosion

A primary benefit is that retaining walls hold soil in place, especially on sloped surfaces. During heavy rains, dirt and gravel will run downhill with moisture runoff. Erosion can uproot plants or expose their roots, leaving them vulnerable to insects or disease while simultaneously wrecking the surrounding landscaping. Erosion near your home may also cause soil shifting that negatively affects the structure's foundation. A retaining wall keeps the earth in place to avoid these issues.

2. Aid In Drainage

Retaining walls can be made of wood, stone, or concrete blocks, and they're often backfilled with gravel or fitted with drainage pipes. These additions allow water to filter through, breaking up heavy streams. If an area of your property frequently experiences heavy water accumulation, these drainage features can help control and direct the flow while also providing a beautiful facade that hides these elements.

3. Add Multiple Levels to the Landscape

When you add several retaining walls to your property, it creates multiple levels that make outdoor areas visually engaging. The walls can create a tiered or stacked appearance with flowerbeds or elevated seating areas. They are also suitable for holding soil back from features like walkout basement doorways or sunken fire pit seating areas. The installations also usefully utilize horizontal space, which is beneficial in smaller yards.

4. Enhance Design Appearance

Retaining walls create striking and eye-catching design features. They pull the landscaping together, giving your yard a refined, finished look that highlights fun additions, like flowerbeds or seating arrangements. 

Since they can be made from stone, wood, or concrete, they can also be customized to suit your home's aesthetic. Opt for dark wood or natural stone if you have a rustic theme, or choose concrete blocks if your house is more formal or industrial.

The landscaping contractors at Buzz Landscaping Inc. in Conway, AR, have over 25 years of experience designing and maintaining properties throughout Faulkner County and the surrounding areas. They're licensed, bonded, and insured and offer comprehensive exterior design services, including hardscaping, patio and deck building, and fence installation. Whether you want a custom water feature in your backyard or need a French drain installed to keep your property and home dry, their team can handle the job. Explore the full scope of available services online, and call (501) 730-4515 to schedule a free consultation.