How do i build Combined Garden Modular Seating / Retaining Wall?

We found it easier to use interlocking blocks for our retaining wall. And they have stood the test of time (over 15 years and all we do is power wash them once a year).

Pressure treated lumber is probably your best bet if you don’t want to use stone.

We built a retaining wall this past Fall with stone. We DIY'd the whole thing. Check out my posts: https://karupp-did.net/plan-and-diagram-a-retaining-wall-to-diy/ and https://karupp-did.net/building-a-retaining-wall/. It might seem complicated but in the post I:

-laid out how to plan and diagram

-math calculations to figure out how much stone and block to order

-how far we dug down and the cross section of what is going on under the ground

-What we did to build the retaining wall.

-what materials were needed.

-the actual building pictures

If you want to see the final project of the concrete pad supported by the retaining wall that was built....that post is:

https://karupp-did.net/pour-a-cement-pad-diy/. It was a huge project but we we are so pleased with how it came out.

As for adding a combined modular seating area I don't know how you would be able to wedge something for seating in between the retaining wall block because each piece of the wall block has to go in perfectly on top of each other with adhesive and anything wedged in there may break down the support structure of the whole thing. However, if you were to build out another layer or 2 of stone blocks going around the retaining wall and use a capstone, that may give you the extra seating you need. That is just an idea if you were to use stone which I would recommend. Lumber can break down easier over time which is one reason we chose not to do that. I hope these posts help you. Please leave me a comment on them if you do find them helpful! Good Luck!

I have tried to build a beck 5 years ago using Pallets and it still holding pretty well. if you want you can try this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtR2YHcGibE

Hi Amands, hope tis helps you out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3_Gci1G5OA

https://www.instructables.com/Garden-Seating-incorporating-retaining-wall/