20 Beautiful Garden Wall Ideas to Bring Your Landscaping to the Next Level

Garden walls add a sense of order among sprawling vines and bushy shrubs. If your landscape could use a bit of order, adding a wall could be the right solution.

We've rounded up 20 beautiful garden wall ideas that will completely transform your outdoor space. You'll find examples that utilize a variety of materials, including stone, brick, cement, and metal.

The Difference Between a Retaining Wall and a Garden Wall

A garden wall is a landscape feature that surrounds a garden or divides two gardens. It is typically shorter than three feet. A retaining wall serves a more structural purpose and is taller than three feet. It supports outdoor features such as a slope.

Garden Wall With Bench

A garden wall is just tall enough to make a great back support. Place a bench right in front of it for a nice spot to rest and read among the flowers.

Dry-Stacked Garden Wall

Stone is a solid material choice for a garden wall. Gravity does the work in terms of keeping the stones in place, so you can dry stack them instead of cementing them.

Strategically Placed Garden Wall

Marshall Paetzel Landscape Architecture (MPLA) designed this free-standing dry-stacked Pennsylvania Bluestone very strategically. Its main purpose is to guide visitors to use the main entry door rather than the mudroom door on the left side.

"People naturally want to go in the first door they pass, so the wall forces them to pass by the mudroom door and enter the courtyard through the wall opening," Stacy Paetzel, founder and principal of MPLA, says.

Plants Growing On Top

Grow a little green roof atop your garden wall. This example features sedum, which will eventually start growing down the sides.

Garden Wall With Quarter Pipes

When planning out your garden wall, consider curving the edges upward. This design detail doubles as ergonomic seats.

Garden Wall Around Garden Bed

Along a fence is a common place to install a garden bed. For a layered look, try building a garden wall in front of the bed. Concrete adds a nice contrast against natural elements like wood and greenery.

Garden Wall With Wood Blocks

Wood is a great material for a garden wall. Building a wood garden wall is pretty easy if the lines are all straight. To add a curved element, you can use smaller blocks of wood.

Slanted Brick Wall

Garden walls don't have to be completely level. A slant will add visual interest and mirror a garden bed with a nice slope.

Alternating Wood and Stone

Using mixed materials transforms a basic garden wall into practically an art installation. This garden wall shows off dark stained wood posts and columns of dry-stacked brick.

Garden Wall Meets Raised Garden Beds

Constructing a garden wall out of the same materials as your raised garden beds will tie both features together. In this example, the garden wall acts as a divider between this yard's lawn and patio.

Brick Garden Wall With Steps

Red brick is such a classic choice for landscaping features. You can even use red brick to create a grand entrance to your lawn by installing steps on either side of a garden wall.

Metal Retaining Wall

Metal is a unique material that you don't see to often in garden walls. A metal with a living finish will form a beautiful rusted patina over time.

Curved Garden Wall

When brainstorming your garden wall ideas, think about ways you can complement the other features in your yard. For example, you can curve it around your outdoor dining area for an inviting look.

Victorian-Inspired Garden Wall

Matching your garden wall to your home's architectural style is always a good move. Stone is a versatile choice that looks great with both historic and modern homes.

Stones With Varying Widths

As you lay the stones for your garden wall, periodically check how they look from a vertical perspective. You can add a nice flair by creating a unique pattern out of the various widths of the rocks.

Surrounding a Pergola

Garden walls look right at home on either side of a pergola. It creates a sense of balance and symmetry.

Staggered Garden Walls

Yards with steep slopes present a little design challenge. Rather than building one large retaining wall to stop erosion, you can use a series of short garden walls and plant rows of plants between each.

A Maze of Walls

Get a little creative with the layout of your garden walls. Use a mixture of vertical and horizontal lines to create the look of a maze.

Garden Wall With a Koi Pond

Fill in the empty space on the other side of a garden wall with a koi pond. You can even hide the pipework inside the wall.

A Pool as a Garden Wall

The side of the pool can make a great supporting structure for a garden. Plus, it will provide a nice view for you as you relax on the other side of the pool.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials are best for building garden walls?

Bricks, metal, wood, and stone are all ideal materials for building garden walls.

Can I build a garden wall myself, or do I need to hire a professional?

It is possible to DIY a garden wall. There are methods that require minimal tools and skills.

Do I need a permit to build a garden wall?

Since garden walls are typically shorter than three feet, you most likely won't need a permit to build one. However, you'll need to check with your local government office for confirmation.

Read the original article on The Spruce.