Leveling Up: How Retaining Walls Unlock Your Property’s Potential

By definition, a retaining wall is designed to allow for two different elevations on either side: one where soil is held back (higher ground), and one where land is maintained at a lower level. For most homeowners, a perfectly flat backyard is a rarity, and this poses some challenges when we consult with clients before drafting the initial landscaping plan. A well-designed retaining wall will serve more than just one purpose of holding the soil back; it can seamlessly integrate into the design and improve patio or entertainment space. We often recommend it as a part of the fire pit area, as it can serve as additional seating.

Here is a look at the key role retaining walls play in landscaping, specifically addressing the needs of terrains common to the Raleigh area.

Functional Benefits of a Retaining Wall

1. Erosion Control and Creating Soil Stability
   Our region is known for heavy downpours and frequent thunderstorms. On sloped or uneven terrain, soil naturally wants to move downhill, especially under heavy rain. A retaining wall should act as a barrier, holding soil in place and preventing sliding, washouts, or landslides. This stabilization protects lawns and landscaping, but also walkways or foundations that could be compromised if the soil shifts.

2. Better Drainage and Water Management
   Our goal is to engineer a retaining wall that serves also as a drainage solution, using gravel backfill, perforated pipes, or “weep holes” to direct water away from the wall and prevent water pressure buildup behind it.
   This proper drainage guards against pooling water on patios, flooding, and soil saturation.

3. Opening to Create Usable, Functional Outdoor Space
   • One of the main benefits of installing a retaining wall is the chance to transform sloped, unusable land into level terraces, patios, gardens, or play areas.
   • Instead of awkward slopes that are hard to mow and are generally prone to erosion, you get stable, flat ground you can now incorporate into a well-thought-through design.

Aesthetic & Lifestyle Benefits

• Enhance Curb Appeal – A well-designed retaining wall adds structure, depth, and texture to a landscape. They are not limited to the backyard to help with patio and living spaces. They often surround driveways or are constructed in front of your home to create a polished and intentional look.

• Design Flexibility – The retaining walls we create are often fully customized using unique materials, not limited to the standard retaining wall blocks you see in most yards. The stone or block can match or complement your home’s architecture and natural surroundings.

• Built Features – Beyond just holding soil, retaining walls can be integrated with seating, steps, terraced gardens, or lighting, turning them into functional elements of the design.

Best Practices for Retaining Wall Installation

When installing a retaining wall, we take many elements under consideration, but here are some of the most crucial ones that help with longevity and overall aesthetic:

• Proper drainage – Without drainage, water can build up behind the wall and increase hydrostatic pressure, potentially causing wall failure.

• Soil type, slope, and load – The design must account for soil composition, how steep the slope is, and whether there will be additional loads (e.g., a patio, pool, driveway, or heavy landscaping) behind the wall.

• Material and construction method – Material choice affects durability and aesthetics. For steep hills or heavy loads, we may consider reinforced walls — composite or mechanically stabilized.

During the initial consultation with clients, they tend to overlook the importance of incorporating a retaining wall, often worrying it’s more of an obstruction than a benefit. In reality, they’re some of our favorite and most powerful tools in landscape design and land management. They allow us much more flexibility in the use of the space and bring height and elevation changes to the landscape, which results in better design.

In short, a retaining wall is more than structural — it’s transformative. For many properties (especially in hilly or uneven areas), it’s a cornerstone feature that lets us control the land and the space we are working with.