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Stone Builder

Cheap Retaining Wall Ideas Using Affordable Materials

Retaining walls are practical and often necessary landscape features. They help to provide stability in areas that have sloping surfaces, and allow for enhanced landscape upgrades like driveways, walkways and other features. Installing a retaining wall can be a complex and expensive venture, but there are some budget-friendly options to do it in ways that won't break the bank. With the right materials, you can make a cheap retaining wall that functions like a higher-cost one.

Depending on your needs, retaining walls can be built using concrete, stone, or wood. You can use variations such as cinderblocks, bricks, pavers, or solid stone such as granite cobblestones, or flat pieces of river rock like shale or slate. You can also add a veneer of stone or render to a concrete retaining wall. Here are 18 of our favorite cheap retaining wall ideas you can make with affordable materials.

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Build a Raised Bed

Retaining walls can also serve was excellent raised beds for a garden space. This wooden retaining wall is the perfect height for a flower bed that wraps around the flagstone patio.

Add a Seating Area

This comfy wooden bench is built right into this retaining wall, an excellent multi-use structure.

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Create a Landscape Feature

This sturdy wood retaining wall allows access to maintain this simple landscape area, as well as an attractive edge for the driveway and stairs leading to this home.

Match Retaining Wall and Path

These white pavers look clean and striking alongside a retaining wall built with white stone blocks.

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