Add Height and Dimension to Your Landscape Design With a Retaining Wall in Ann Arbor, MI Areas
The right landscape design creates a visually compelling space that also feels welcoming, is functional, and respects the natural features of the land. One landscape element that often gets overlooked but can dramatically enhance an outdoor space is a retaining wall. Not only do retaining walls add structure and dimension to a landscape, but they also add height that draws the eye upward. Here's how a retaining wall can upgrade your landscape in Ann Arbor, MI.
Define Your Outdoor Spaces
Retaining walls can be used to delineate different parts of your landscape. They can help create separation between a patio area and a flower garden or between a lawn and a woodland area. They can also serve as an intriguing visual element for breaking up a mostly flat landscape and creating layered interest.
Combat Erosion and Manage Water Flow
Retaining walls not only enhance aesthetic appeal but also solve some common landscaping problems, including soil erosion and water runoff. This is particularly important if your property is on a slope or hill. By managing water flow and stabilizing soil, a retaining wall can safeguard other features in your landscape and prevent potential problems.
Increase Usable Space
One of the more practical benefits of a retaining wall is how it can create more usable space in your landscape. A well-designed retaining wall can convert a steep slope into terraced levels for plantings, outdoor living spaces, or even a scenic overlook. This effectively increases the square footage of your usable outdoor space, creating more opportunities for enjoyment and boosting the overall value of your property.
Showcase Plantings
Retaining walls are an ideal way to showcase your plantings. By building a retaining wall, you can create a raised bed that allows your plants to be displayed at eye level. This can be especially impactful when the wall features cascading plants or vibrant perennials that provide a burst of color. The wall itself also offers a new medium for plantings, allowing for the use of creeping plants that soften the hard edges of the stone or brickwork.
Solve Drainage Issues
If your landscape is plagued by drainage issues, a strategically designed and placed retaining wall can help channel water away from areas where it’s not desirable. This can protect your home’s foundation, prevent flooding, and help maintain the integrity of your landscape during heavy rain.
Consider Versatile Design Options
Retaining walls offer tremendous versatility in terms of design. From the choice of materials to the style and shape, the possibilities are practically endless. You could opt for a curved wall for a softer look, a straight wall for a modern feel, or a series of terraces for a stepped effect. The design can be tailored to blend seamlessly with the style of your home and the surrounding landscape.
About the Author
Through consistent communication among all our lawn care, landscape maintenance, and irrigation team members, Local Life provides efficient and reliable landscape solutions. From our full property analysis during our maintenance visits to the expert design and construction options we offer, we provide a wide range of services for keeping landscapes beautiful. And our customers’ satisfaction is second-to-none. Everything we do follows our core set of values—safety, accountability, continuous learning, teamwork, and integrity. Our knowledgeable team has your property’s best interest at heart.