Design Ideas to Make Your Block Retaining Wall Distinctive
Posted on: 28 March 2022
You may have decided to construct a block retaining wall to level out the sloping ground in your garden. Blocks are a practical solution as they come in uniform size, shape and colour to create a secure and organised wall. But do you want something different from the standard—something distinctive and unusual? If so, you can still use blocks but add flair to the design. Here are some ideas to consider.
Blend Colours
One thing you can play with is colour. Rather than using the same colour blocks for the entire wall, you could mix several shades to create a patchwork effect. For inspiration, think about how natural stone paving can blend blue, tan, orange and grey shades. Try this kind of harmonious difference with your wall.
Concrete blocks come in charcoal, cream, sand and blue-grey. Ask your contractors to intermingle the shades in a haphazard but balanced way. You could use one hue, such as grey, predominantly and employ it for the wall caps at the top as well. When choosing the wall block colours, don't forget to consider the surrounding landscape. Just because block retaining walls often use one colour, that doesn't mean you have to follow suit.
Highlight the Steps
If you want to create a uniformly coloured wall, you have other options to jazz it up. What about the design and structure of the steps? They serve the practical function of letting you wander to different levels created by the retaining walls. But you can deliberately make them distinctive, turning them into a standout feature.
For example, you could use the step placement to create dramatic symmetry in your backyard. Place the steps in the dead centre and build them extra wide so they attract attention and appear a bit grand.
Once the stairs reach the top level, you could design a sundial or set up a paved area with a comfy seat from which you can relax and oversee your creation. If the wall has curves, you could build exaggerated, outwardly rounded bottom steps that get straighter and narrower as the steps proceed upwards.
Alternatively, build two sets of steps that angle outwards and get further apart as they continue up the garden slope. The uniformity of retaining wall blocks helps, as they can be pieced together in a multitude of ways.
Create Add-Ons
You can also make your wall unique by integrating unique features that break up its continuous line. For example, you could build a rectangular nook on a straight wall and add a water fountain or a potted plant. At one point, you could lower the wall, build in seats and incorporate a paved outdoor space in front.
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