Retaining walls add function to your yard. They can also create more usable space and correct problems like drainage and erosion issues. But you want your yard to look stylish. The right retaining wall designs need to tackle that as well.

Match or compliment the surrounding materials, including patios and exterior finishing’s. If you have a flagstone veneer on your home, a stacked flagstone retaining wall will fit right in. In other situations, that particular design will stand out like a sore thumb.

Use wide, sweeping curves wherever you can. These soften your yard and also give the illusion of more space.

Make steps or terraces instead of high wall faces. Not only does this design create gardening space, but it is much more attractive than a bare, looming wall. Where yard space allows, break your retaining wall into stages.

Good retaining wall designs will truly transform your yard into something beautiful and practical.

Your family will spend a lot of time on your patio, entertaining and relaxing. It only makes sense to look into patio designs that will reflect your tastes and lifestyle.

Patio materials are key. Choose something that not only matches the surroundings and size, but works with how you will use the patio. Opt for durability and comfort based on when you will hang out in the backyard.Flagstone is charming and rugged for an earthy, traditional feel. Stamped concrete or geometrical pavers work well in a contemporary setting. Large pavers or stones suit the balance and open feel of a Japanese garden.

Shapes add atmosphere. Sharp corners often give the patio a more modern look, while rounded curves can fit any style of landscape. Consider creating levels or distinct spaces by mixing up shapes – an octagon within a rectangle for example.

Patio designs are often very personal and should be well thought out. You’ll be better able to relax and enjoy a space designed perfectly for your family.

Feeling a little soggy in the yard this spring? Is the grass drowning before your eyes? Chances are that you have landscape drainage issues.

You can tackle them a few different ways.

Improving the soil by building retaining walls and carting in backfill should enhance the drainage. Heavy clay soils need this help and your grass will grow better.

If your lawn is on a natural slope and water is speeding up erosion, consider a dry creek bed. These attractive features control the water flow and direct it away from problem areas.

Out of sight solutions may help as well. French drains are buried underground and work to direct the water away from your foundation or garden.

Dry wells direct water quickly down and away from the lawn. They work well at the end of French drains or eaves troughs.

Contact an EnhanceScape professional to assess your landscape drainage issues. There is sure to be a solution to reduce the water build up and allow you to enjoy a healthy yard again.

If you are thinking about installing landscape lighting there are a few things to consider.

Night lighting that highlights your house and landscape is one of the most popular landscape innovations. Not only does it look great, but it increases home security. And new fluorescent and LED lighting options mean using less electricity. LEDs even come in multiple colors, adding variety to your nightscape.

Check out our top 10 reasons to install landscape lighting.

Contact EnhanceScape for a landscape lighting design and free landscape lighting estimate.

If your home project this year is to build a new deck in Atlanta, you will find a lot of new materials available for construction. Wood (especially Cedar) is still the traditional choice, but composite decking is gaining popularity.

Composites are uniform in appearance with no natural challenges such as knots or warping to worry about. Composite decks in Atlanta is a great choice if you are building a deck around your pool or spa and is well suited to a contemporary home design.

However, composite decking may fade over time and, though constructed of recycled materials, the products do not break down in landfalls when they are discarded.

Wood is still the most popular deck material. It just looks and feels like a real deck and has warmth that composite decking lacks. If you choose the right wood, decks in Atlanta can last as long as a composite deck. With proper maintenance a wood deck will age gracefully and become more attractive over time.

The choice of wood or composite decking is nothing more than preference and budget. Each has appealing features so it’s only a matter of deciding which features are best for your Atlanta decks project.

Contact EnhanceScape for a free estimate for your new deck in Atlanta.

For many years, decks were built routinely with lumber and the space underneath the deck could be used only for items that could survive the dampness of the ground under the deck and the water that flooded that area during the many heavy rains. This was lost space especially for a home with a high deck. Today, high end decks in Atlanta may be built with drainage systems that are attached just underneath the deck flooring. This diverts water from the area under the deck allowing the homeowner to add a concrete or paver patio below a high deck.

Many decks in Atlanta are built not with wood but with alternative materials. This allows homeowners to enjoy their deck for years without the refinishing often required to maintain decks built with wood. The building materials carry long warranties and though the expense is higher than that of building a wood deck, the deck will still look new and be sturdy and attractive year after year.

One of the most popular deck options in Atlanta is the installation of decorative railing. Standard wood posts are often replaced with stainless steel rails, glass panels and even steel cables. Specialty companies offer over 300 styles of deck railing systems with decorative post caps of copper, stained glass and other visually appealing materials.

For new installations or for an addition to an existing outdoor living area, deck options in Atlanta often include sophisticated lighting. Both low and high voltage light systems are available for use out of doors. One popular style is a solar powered light designed to look like a lantern. This new product is attached to the top of the support members of the deck railing. For decks with steps leading down to the lawn, step lights are often installed to prevent accidents after dark.

Decks in Atlanta are changing to reflect the growing popularity of the green movement. Many of the newer building products designed for use in decking are recycled or made of renewable resources. The focus on providing green solutions as an environmentally sound deck option in Atlanta has the bonus of adding new designs and materials that keep Atlanta decks looking new many years longer than can be expected of older wooden styles.

For the best choice in retaining wall ideas look to the natural beauty of stone in many forms. For a rustic, old world feel stacked flagstone walls are timeless and match many different landscapes. Incorporate a flagstone patio or walkway to tie it all in.

Brick retaining walls are popular, come in wide variety of colors and work especially well in small scale projects. Along a driveway or as a garden edger, brick retaining walls are a good option.

Pavestone and concrete blocks offer the beauty of natural stone with the stability and durability of engineered design. Many are especially made for retaining wall blocks and are easy to install. Pavestone and concrete blocks come a wide variety of retaining wall options, including texture, shape and color. Choose the style that suits your landscape.

Traditional or contemporary, there are retaining wall options for almost any taste and budget.

Designed for durability and simple installation, paver stone walkways can deliver so many benefits to your home.

Spruce up the front yard with a clean, attractive paver stone walkway. It will instantly add a sense of style to your home’s entrance and can be designed to fit any situation.

To direct flow conveniently, the beauty of paver stone walkways is unmatched. For small or large projects, with traditional or contemporary styling, there are paver stones that will work for the project.

Simple to install and designed to last for years, paver stone walkways add style and convenience to any application in the front, side or rear yard of your home.

If you’re looking for an outdoor patio design in Dallas that’s timeless, flagstone can’t be beat. The coloring is unique in each stone, giving every project a distinct look. Sizes and shapes of flagstone also differ and from patio to walkway this material will add elegance to your yard.

Be sure to have Dallas flagstone patio professionally designed and installed to ensure stability and quality that will last for a lifetime. As this material is substantial, it needs to be handled and installed with a proper base using reliable equipment.

Natural, classy and strong - flagstone patios work well in every Dallas landscape.

Every yard needs a shady place for relaxation and refreshment. Cover the deck or patio with one of many options to create that perfect spot out of the sun.

Pergolas and arbors work well in any patio or deck design. Pergolas can be designed with wide, airy openings or a tight weave. Posts and beams can be decorative and add class and unique touches to your patio design. Columns can also be incorporated to take arbors and pergolas beyond the ordinary.

Grow vines and climbing plants into the pergola or arbor slats for an eco friendly roof that will provide shade in the growing season and let the sunshine through while dormant.

Covered roofs are excellent for complete shade and precipitation protection. Imagine the bliss of rocking on a porch swing on your covered deck – relaxation at its finest.

When you need shade, turn to a design that will cover the deck or patio and compliment your landscape. Take your patio to the next level.