Retaining walls are a great way to create more enjoyable outdoor space. They can be used to create level spaces for patios and outdoor living areas, planting and gardening beds, play areas, or lawn space.

Country Garden

Abigail Hazell Landscape & Garden Design Ltd.

Country backyard full sun formal garden in Other with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers for summer.

Bed Stuy Zen - Steel, Stone, & Water

The Brooklyn Garden Club Inc.

Backyard border garden terracing and water feature -corten steel & stone
Photo of a small asian front yard partial sun formal garden for winter in New York with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Réhabilitation d'un jardin ancien

Agence MORVANT & MOINGEON Paysagistes Concepteurs

Gabrielle VOINOT
This is an example of a mediterranean backyard formal garden in Other with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Tiburon

Huettl Landscape Architecture

Marion Brenner
Design ideas for a large modern backyard xeriscape in San Francisco with a retaining wall and decking.

Farmhouse Landscape Renovation - Cedarburg

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

The stone wall lining the driveway was built to match the existing stonework on the home. Westhauser Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized country side yard full sun driveway for summer in Milwaukee with natural stone pavers and a retaining wall.

Orinda Modern Landscape

FDC Design Build

Mid-sized modern front yard partial sun xeriscape in San Francisco with a retaining wall and concrete pavers for fall.

Медок

NB-GARDEN

Борисова, Евгений Корнеев
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary garden for summer in Moscow with a retaining wall.

Techo Bloc Paver patio

Outdoor Lifestyles Landscape LLC

Lovely patio featuring Techo Bloc Blu pavers. As well as the Maya Stepper. Natural stone retaining wall.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun formal garden for summer in DC Metro with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Ein kleiner Wasserfall macht aus jedem Garten das persönliche Paradies

BaUERSGäRTEN - creolider Garten- u Landschaftsbau

Inspiration for a modern garden in Berlin with a retaining wall.

Экостиль в Барвихе

Фотограф Марк Кожура

Марк Кожура
Scandinavian partial sun garden in Moscow with a retaining wall for summer.

Canon Hill Driveway

Pacific Garden Design

With a narrow driveway and leaning concrete retaining walls, parking was a major challenge at this 1938 brick Tudor on Spokane's South Hill. Crumbling concrete stairs added another layer of difficulty, and after a particularly rough winter, the homeowners were ready for a change. The failing concrete walls were replaced with stacked boulders, which created space for a new, wider driveway. Natural stone steps offer access to the backyard, while the new front stairs and sidewalk provide a safe route to the front door. The original iron railings were preserved and modified to be reused with the new stairs.

Barri

Landmark Landscaping

Photo of a mid-sized traditional sloped full sun garden in Denver with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Bench seating in foreground with native plants on hillside in background

June Scott Design

Rock outcroppings make a striking background for new lounge areas in this compact Los Angeles hillside garden. Working with the attributes of the site, we added native plants to drape over the stone, and converted hollowed stone planters into a firepit and water feature. New built-in seating and a cozy hammock complete the relaxing space, and dramatic lighting makes it come alive at night. Photo by Martin Cox Photography.

Fresh Spring Blooms

Gorski Landscaping

Photo of a mid-sized traditional front yard formal garden for spring in New York with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Gabion walls as you've never seen them before!

Yorkshire Gardens

A large contemporary garden custom designed and built for a new build house. Surrounded by an impressive gabion wall this garden have numerous feature areas. An artificial lawn and eco decking ensures this space requires minimal upkeep. The checker board paving stones and minimal planting results in a very stylish space.

Aménagement d'un talus

Les Jardins d'Olivier

Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean backyard full sun garden in Clermont-Ferrand with a retaining wall and decking.

Europa - Cream Brown Color

Air Vol Block, Inc

All Palermo steps
Photo of a mid-sized traditional front yard garden in San Luis Obispo with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Fulham Townhouse

Hill House Interiors

The low maintenance patio garden features a lit fountain that adds a romantic feel to the contemporary landscaping.
This is an example of a large contemporary backyard full sun formal garden for summer in London with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Fall Plantings

Hoy Landscaping Inc.

The rich color of the autumn landscape help to add mid-tones to an otherwise high contrast facade. The north east facing Japanese is the star of this yard. Photo Credit: Associate Landscape Designer Steffi Reyes-Thomas

Garden Design Ideas with a Retaining Wall and with Waterfall

Get Inspired by Gardens on Houzz

A lot of the time when you get home from a long day at work, all you want to do is wind down. Where better to do this than in your very own garden at home? If you do it right, a great garden design can send you right into holiday mode. But where to start? There’s so many styles to choose from when it comes to garden design. Whether you want to create a tropical, modern, contemporary, beach style or country garden - or something else entirely - the large garden image gallery on Houzz has got you covered. Get inspired and collect your ideas to narrow down your desired garden style and features.

How to Create a Garden for Your Home

Depending on which style you’re going for, be sure to know what makes a garden and if it’s appropriate for your climate. You may want to consider adding a deck or other landscaping features, but the plants you choose will mostly dictate your style and what kind of ongoing maintenance is required. Don’t worry if your backyard isn’t very spacious - there are many plants that can thrive even in a small space and allow you to turn your space into a little paradise of your own, regardless of size.

Decide which plants to use

The greenery you choose is critical to your look. For example, if you’re trying to create a tropical garden palm trees and bamboo are your go-to options. Other popular options are golden cane palm trees and fern for ground cover. From there you can add some colour with bright flowers like frangipani, hibiscus or bromeliads. All these are actually quite hardy plants, so once established, your tropical garden is actually quite easy to maintain. Use this structure and apply it to your style. Research which plants you need to set your base for a garden and go from there.

Add some decor

If the plants don’t quite do it for you yet, or if you want to add some extra wow-factor, consider adding some extra features. Even if you can’t accommodate a swimming pool, hot tub or pond, you could look at smaller water features. Simple rocks can also have a great effect, while statues and gnomes will add some extra character. Don’t forget to add some furniture so you have a nice place to sit and enjoy your garden!

Need some help?

Once you know what you want your garden to look like, it may be hard to make it a reality on your own. If that is the case for you, consider consulting a professional to help you with your garden design. Every photo you find on Houzz will lead you to the local pro that did the job, so you won’t have a problem picking the perfect person to help! Whether you need a gardener in Brisbane, a landscape architect in Melbourne or a fireplace installer in Sydney, you can be sure to find one on Houzz.