How to spruce up ouru gly retaining wall

Question

I am looking for ideas to spruce up the retaining wall in our backyard.  It's an eyesore but it has a purpose. DIYs, Earthly, repurpose, cheap ideas would be great. Thank you!

Janet Pizaro · Answer

I would suggest making a garden area in assorted pots from tallest to lowest based on your hardiness zone.

MN Mom · Answer

How about some lattice panels? Once you get them against that wall you can set a table and chairs and some potted flowers around the area.

Ouina · Answer

If you are able, you can mount plant cages to the wall and fill with plants. I've seen cages made from chicken wire (formed into cones), lined with coconut fiber, then filled with potting soil and plants. You could then stagger along the wall creating a 'living wall'. Use plants that trail. You aren't limited to flowering ornamental ones - try mixing it up with vegetables and herbs as well.

Colleen · Answer

Here are a few posts on transforming concrete......http://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/porches/stenciled-stone-porch-509384......http://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/exteriors/easy-painted-concrete-rug-11156708......http://www.hometalk.com/diy/build/walls/diy-concrete-retaining-wall-carved-vertical-5321084.....http://www.doityourself.com/stry/diy-sidewalk-staining

Linda · Answer

How about covering the wall with reed or bamboo.? http://www.homedepot.com/s/bamboo+fencing?NCNI-5

Kathleen · Answer

We painted the cement block back part of our house a Tuscany hue and stained the concrete patio in a color that added more Tuscan feel. Add patio furniture, an outdoor rug, and some hanging plants with vines, and it would be lovely. Not very expensive for a high impact!

Beth H. Makemeprettyagain.blogspot · Answer

well, cheap would be paint, recycled pallet wood or the redwood lattice. You could also get some cement acid stain colorant (the same kind they use for the cement flooring). That would be great on all of the cement wall you have going on. It's not expensive and easy enough to do. Plenty of how-to's on it. 
 A little more DIY would be to stucco the wall and then paint it (unless u live where it freezes, then never mind!)
 Or, you could tile the wall w/some colorful ceramic tile?
You attach some furring strips vertically and then do a slat wall horizontally with some nice redwood boards (just use a spar marine varnish on them to keep it from turning gray).

Carol Raabe · Answer

Combine with some of the ideas above: using broken glass, ceramic tile, etc., add mosaic pictures or graphics

Debi53 · Answer

We had an ugly orange brick retaining wall next to our garage that looked much like yours. We stained the wall the same color as our house. Our driveway is asphalt, so Hubby pounded metal landscape edging into the asphalt about 18 inches from the wall. We lined the area with landscape fabric to contain the soil and then put about 4-6 inches of garden soil down. We planted hostas, spider plants, and ferns-because our area is shady. You can use perennials if your area is sunny. The plants come back year after year and require almost no maintenance. They add lush green beauty to what was once just a barren area where the driveway met the wall. It looks like your floor area is concrete, so you could do something similar by laying down wooden edging. and stapling your landscape fabric to the wood to contain the soil. You might think that the plants wouldn't thrive in such shallow soil, but these have been there for several years and do great.

HMoegerle · Answer

1. Be sure to put bricks or other edging at the far right, so that dirt doesn't wash onto your patio. 2. If you are going to smooth out the finish (to erase rebar marks), do that and then paint with DryLock to seal the concrete. 3. Then paint the wall. 4. Consider whether you want shrubbery or flowers from the far side of the wall to be seen from the patio and choose carefully. 5. Use tap cons to hold colorful yard art like a colorful sun, butterflies, dragonflies, lady bugs and bees. 6. Remember that wall will retain heat during the day and radiate it at night. Put your potted plants (and seeds you are starting) near the wall as you harden them off for the summer. Be sure to water them regularly...the heat will drive off moisture faster...just as it will cause your plants to grow faster! Good luck!

Heather McKinney · Answer

Two words.....concrete stain. ;-)

Teri · Answer

This is something I did with tile and glass that I collected from friends and family. Since I can't draw so I did fish and other underwater critters. They can look like anything.

Claire - Heart Handmadeuk · Answer

Personally, I would paint it a beautiful colour and repurpose some pallets as planters up the wall. :)

Heather McKinney · Answer

I've been thinking more about this. You could also paint 'bricks' onto it. They wouldn't have to be red brick...just whatever color that would look best with your house. http://weirdissomuchbetterthanboring.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-work-for-good-cause.html

Deva Dobbs · Answer

Paint anew finish, newspaper paint last with crumpled up pieces of newspaper last to add last alternating color, just dba here and there

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