Retaining walls do more than just hold back soil. They can transform awkwardly sloped yards, create multi-level landscaping beds, and even protect your soil from erosion.
For local homeowners dealing with shifting soil and our occasional downpours, retaining walls are often the best solution to a big problem, but they have the potential to be a standout part of your landscaping as well.
What’s a Retaining Wall?
A retaining wall is a structure made of stone, brick, concrete, and other materials designed to hold back soil, prevent erosion, and level out sloped areas.
It’s an excellent way to manage uneven terrain, or create space for patios, gardens, and other landscaping features -exactly where you want them in your yard.
How Retaining Walls Work
Retaining walls have to be sturdy. They’re designed to withstand the enormous pressure of soil constantly pushing against them for decades
During construction, drainage systems are integrated into the wall to handle heavy rains and prevent water from pooling behind it. Without proper drainage, water buildup might destabilize the wall, particularly as the soil expands and contracts with Texas’ extreme weather.
Common Uses in Residential Landscaping
You’ll find retaining walls all over Dallas: holding up terraced gardens, leveling backyards for pools or patios, or preventing erosion near home foundations.
Whether you’re carving out space for a fire pit or protecting your house from water damage, retaining walls are probably the right solution.
Why Dallas Homeowners Need Retaining Walls
Even small changes in your yard’s topography can become a problem during sudden storms. Without retaining walls, rain can wash away soil, leaving your foundation exposed or altering the slope of your patio. They help keep your soil in place and turn otherwise unusable areas into opportunities for terraced landscaping.
Retaining walls don’t just hold dirt in, they also redirect rainwater away from your foundation and garden.
Fewer puddles mean less risk of flooding and masonry damage. In a city where summer storms can dump inches of rain in no time, it’s a smart investment that also adds curb appeal.
(Read the original post on Medium)
Types of Retaining Walls
Whether you’re fighting erosion, leveling a sloped space, or upgrading your outdoor area, there’s a retaining wall type suited to your needs. Let’s take a look at the options that Dallas homeowners are using most.
Gravity Retaining Walls
Gravity walls rely on their sheer mass — think heavy materials like stone, concrete, or brick — to hold back soil. They’re ideal for shorter projects (under 4 feet tall) and can be both attractive and impressive. In Highland Park, stacked limestone is a popular choice for its rustic elegance.
Best Materials for Gravity Walls
Concrete blocks, natural stone, and brick are the usual suspects. They can withstand all kinds of weather and fit both with a rustic Texan aesthetic and your typical home designs in Dallas.
Pros and Cons of Gravity Walls
Gravity walls are cost-effective but they’re at their best at shorter heights. Going taller requires a lot of material. They’re also not ideal for very soft soil or steep slopes where pressure is high.
Cantilevered Retaining Walls
Cantilevered walls, on the other hand, use a reinforced concrete base and vertical slab which makes them sturdy enough for structures over 4 feet tall and/or with tricky soil. They can be found all over neighborhoods like Oak Cliff, where steep slopes and heavy clay soil are common.
How The Design Works
The base acts like a lever, evenly distributing soil pressure. When installing a cantilevered wall we also install proper drainage and steel reinforcement, especially since Dallas soil alternates between droughts and downpours.
Cost vs. Durability
While cantilevered walls cost more upfront, they’re built to withstand a lot of soil pressure. They can handle taller heights (6+ feet) and tougher conditions than gravity walls, making them a solid long-term investment.
Segmental Retaining Walls
Segmental walls use interlocking concrete blocks (no mortar needed!) for flexibility and strength. Their clean lines and modular design fit perfectly into modern Dallas landscapes, like those trendy backyard makeovers in Bishop Arts.
Why Homeowners Love Modular Walls
They’re quick to install and budget-friendly. The gaps between blocks allow rainwater to drain naturally, and you can curve them around gardens or patios for a custom look.
When To Use Them
Segmental walls are perfect for terraced flower beds, winding pathways, or yards with a minimalist, modern aesthetic. The way they stack flexibly in modular designs lets you get creative. And they mix well with other styles for more complex designs.
Which Retaining Walls Do Dallas Homes Use Most?
Local homeowners typically choose from three types of retaining walls based on their slope, soil, and budget:
Gravity Walls
Ideal for slopes under 4 feet with stable clay soil, gravity walls handle lateral pressure well but aren’t practical for taller projects. Their sloped design makes them a popular choice for smaller, decorative projects.
Segmental Block Walls
A favorite for their ease of drainage and modularity, segmental block walls are the go-to material for elevated beds with flowing, organic shapes. They let water drain through them, preventing flooding and erosion -and looking sharp while doing it.
Cantilever Walls
The top choice for slopes over 6 feet or unstable soil, cantilever walls are reinforced with concrete bases that handle multi-level yards or steep hillsides with ease.
Popular Retaining Wall Design Trends
While retaining walls are practical, they can also be a stunning addition to your landscaping. Here’s what’s trending in 2025:
Mixed Material Designs
Mixing materials like limestone and granite or fieldstone and sandstone expands your design options immensely and allows you to easily put the perfect personal twist on your project without doing anything crazy.
Segmental Block Walls with a Twist
Segmental walls are highly customizable. With 3D design apps, contractors can map out intricate patterns — like herringbone or geometric shapes — before laying a single block. Dallas homeowners love pairing these walls with drought-tolerant plants like agave for a modern, low-maintenance look. And since these walls handle rain like champs (thanks to the gaps between blocks), they’re perfect for curving around pools or fire pits in neighborhoods like Preston Hollow.
DIY or Pro? Here’s How to Decide
Thinking about tackling your retaining wall project yourself? Small projects under 3 feet, like a flower bed border, can be DIY-friendly if you’re handy.
For larger projects though, Dallas’ tricky clay soil can throw you curveballs. One small miscalculation in your grading or drainage plan, and you’ll end up with an expensive, leaning mess after your first storm.
For taller walls, uneven terrain, or complex designs (like a multi-tiered patio), it’s advisable to hire a local pro.
At Clark Outdoor Designs, we’re handle your project from end-to-end: including soil tests, city permits, and engineering specs so you don’t have to. And our experts can spot potential issues you might miss, like tree roots that could destabilize the wall in a few years.
Picking the Right Contractor
Not all landscapers specialize in retaining walls. Our Dallas-based team has extensive experience in this type of construction and repair. Here’s what sets us apart:
- We’ll show you photos of past projects to inspire your design.
- We plan for drainage in advance and offer solutions for any issues we discover.
- We don’t just give you a price — we walk your property with you, discuss your goals, and help you understand your costs and opportunities so you can make the best decision for your situation.
Remake Your Yard In A Way That Fits Your Lifestyle
A good retaining wall can stop erosion as easily as turn a slope into a sunset-ready patio. The perfect remodel of your backyard might begin by designing a retaining wall to hold it all in place. After all, here in Texas, your outdoor living space needs to handle heat, heavy rains, and sleet / hail / everything else.
From gravity walls with rustic charm to sleek segmental designs, there’s a retaining wall design for every home and landscape.
So, what’s your vision? Whether it’s a terraced garden, a leveled patio, or a permanent solve for erosion, we can help you bring it to life.
Reach out for a free home visit and estimate where we can explore your options, and get ready to enjoy a yard that’s as beautiful as it is functional.
