How a Retaining Wall Makes for a Multi-Level Outdoor Living Space in the Hummelstown, PA Area

Many homes and landscapes are situated in some challenging natural locations. To build a successful outdoor living space, landscape designers have to utilize as much flat land as possible and that is sometimes tricky. One solution is to use retaining walls, or a series of retaining walls to carve out usable space. Retaining walls make landscape improvement easier and create a dynamic outdoor living space. Here’s how a retaining wall makes for a multi-level outdoor living space in the Hummelstown, PA area.

Related: 5 Reasons Why Your Landscape Might Need a Retaining Wall in Harrisburg and Hummelstown, PA

Maximizing Space

On a sloped lot, a single patio may not have enough space for the activities you enjoy. A retaining wall can create additional patio space both above and below the wall. Not only is the hillside carved away, but the soil above the retaining wall can be leveled and made usable. This space can be the future home of a secluded fire pit, an impressive outdoor kitchen, a soothing spa, a garden, and more.

Creating Activity Zones

With a multi-level outdoor living space, each patio space is intended for one main activity unlike a single patio where some people want to engage in higher-energy activities while others would like to nap in peace. Your space will feel more relaxing with a multi-level outdoor living space that’s enabled by retaining walls.

Enhancing Views

Retaining walls are wonderful tools for enhancing views throughout your backyard, keeping spaces separate without the feeling of separation simply because sight lines are maintained. Most retaining walls are only three to four feet in height, so you never feel “walled in.” From above, you see the expanse of living spaces on the lower level(s); and from below, there’s a sense of mystery, knowing that there is something beautiful up there - something that has to be accessed before you can enjoy it.

Adding Vertical Interest

All of the vertical space created by your retaining wall enables a great opportunity to decorate and make the space more dynamic. A retaining wall can become a work of art with niches to hold your treasures, integrated lighting to highlight the textures, vertical gardens full of delicious herbs and small fruit or vegetable plants next to your outdoor kitchen, integrated water features, integrated fire features, and of course the beauty of the masonry itself. Use a trellis system to allow climbing vines and flowers to crawl up the walls and envelop your outdoor living space in vibrant life.

The masonry used in your outdoor living space represents an earthly beauty that brings comfort and a sense of permanence to your landscape. You can continue this masonry beauty using a retaining wall. Whether you choose natural stone blocks, decorative concrete blocks, structural concrete blocks clad in a stone veneer or tile, bricks, or poured concrete, your wall can be completely integrated into the theme of your backyard, or a stand-alone focal point.

Housing Landscape Infrastructure

Most outdoor living spaces involve a network of electrical cables, water and gas lines, and outdoor entertainment infrastructure like speakers. Most will be buried, but it’s not always easy to successfully disguise elements that sometimes stick out like a sore thumb, like light fixtures or outdoor speakers. A retaining wall can house this infrastructure for a clean, uncluttered look. Integrating these features can be done as the wall is being built, or in the case of outdoor lighting, it can be done retroactively.

Related: 6 Landscape Design Ideas for a Multi-Functioning Retaining Wall in Camp Hill, PA Area