How to Design a Retaining Wall That Doubles as a Landscape Feature
Retaining walls are often viewed as purely functional structures—built to hold back soil, manage slopes, and prevent erosion. However, when thoughtfully designed, a retaining wall can do much more than serve a structural purpose. It can become a striking landscape feature that enhances curb appeal, adds usable outdoor space, and increases property value.
At Montclair Construction, we’ve been serving Oakland, CA, and the Greater Bay Area with quality construction services since 1983. Over the decades, we’ve helped homeowners transform retaining walls into seamless extensions of their landscape design. Below, we’ll walk you through how to design a retaining wall that’s both functional and visually appealing.
Start With the Purpose of the Wall
Before selecting materials or design details, it’s important to understand the primary role of your retaining wall. Is it needed to manage a steep slope, create a level yard, protect your foundation, or control drainage? Once the functional requirements are clear, the design can be shaped around them.
A well-designed retaining wall should:
• Provide long-term structural stability
• Handle soil pressure and drainage properly
• Complement the surrounding landscape and architecture
Balancing function and aesthetics from the start leads to better results and fewer costly changes later
Choose Materials That Enhance the Landscape
The materials you choose play a major role in how your retaining wall looks and feels within your outdoor space. Some popular options include:
Natural stone – Ideal for a timeless, organic look that blends well with gardens and hillsides
Concrete block – Durable, versatile, and available in various textures and colors
Poured concrete – Sleek and modern, perfect for contemporary landscapes
Wood or timber – Offers a warm, rustic feel (best for smaller walls and specific conditions)
Matching the wall material with your home’s exterior and surrounding landscape creates a cohesive, intentional design.
Incorporate Curves and Terracing
Straight retaining walls can be effective, but adding curves or terraces can elevate the overall design. Curved walls feel more natural and visually engaging, while terraced retaining walls are especially useful on steep slopes.
Terracing allows you to:
• Reduce soil pressure on a single wall
• Create planting areas between levels
• Add depth and dimension to your yard
This approach turns a structural necessity into a layered landscape feature.
Integrate Seating and Usable Space
One of the best ways to make a retaining wall double as a landscape feature is to give it a secondary purpose. Retaining walls can be designed to function as built-in seating, garden borders, or even outdoor room dividers.
Low retaining walls can serve as:
• Casual seating around patios or fire pits
• Edges for outdoor living spaces
• Visual transitions between different yard levels
This kind of multi-functional design maximizes both space and value.
Plan for Drainage and Longevity
No matter how beautiful a retaining wall is, proper drainage is essential. Without it, water pressure can build up behind the wall and lead to cracking, bulging, or failure over time.
A professionally designed retaining wall should include:
• Drainage gravel behind the wall
• Weep holes or drainage pipes
• Proper grading to direct water away
At Montclair Construction, we ensure that every retaining wall is built to last—both structurally and visually.
Work With an Experienced Contractor
Designing a retaining wall that functions properly while enhancing your landscape requires experience, engineering knowledge, and an eye for design. Building codes, soil conditions, and drainage requirements vary across the Bay Area, making professional expertise especially important.
With over 40 years of experience, Montclair Construction understands how to design and build retaining walls that are safe, durable, and visually appealing—tailored specifically to the terrain and architecture of Oakland and the Greater Bay Area.
Final Thoughts
A retaining wall doesn’t have to be a plain, utilitarian structure. With thoughtful planning, quality materials, and expert construction, it can become a standout landscape feature that improves both the beauty and functionality of your property.
If you’re considering a retaining wall for your home, working with a trusted local contractor can make all the difference. Montclair Construction is proud to bring decades of craftsmanship and design expertise to every project we take on.
