Ideas for a Retaining Wall With a Sidewalk

Retaining Wall Water Feature

• Take advantage of the flat surface of the sidewalk to incorporate a water feature. Add a birdbath to invite feathered friends to your home for a sip of refreshing water. Use the level space to add a tall garden statue to decorate the area. If you have a tall retaining wall, look for a tall sculpture that incorporates an urn to use as the waterspout for a fountain. Find a recirculating pump kit at your local garden or home improvement center to set up the water feature in no time.

Gardener's Outdoor Break Room

• A retaining wall that borders the backyard is a great spot to create a gardener's break room. Install hooks to hang up your gardening tools, shovels, gloves and hat. Place a wooden bench on the concrete walkway so you can sit for a minute and take a break in between your outdoor gardening chores. A small wooden footstool might also come in handy to rest your feet for a minute.

Outdoor Bistro Space

• Create a cozy outdoor bistro space in the area with the retaining wall and sidewalk. Add a small wrought iron table with two chairs. Decorate the wall with ornamental ironwork to give the space an artsy look. Plant containers filled with red, burgundy and grape-colored flowers, such as petunias, asters and Gerber daisies, to create a wine-colored garden. Add a trellis and plant a deep red climbing rose, such as a Rosa "Don Juan," to give color to the retaining wall and create a romantic theme.

Spanish Theme Garden Wall

• Spain is known for its rugged terrain and dry climate. Use the concrete and retaining wall materials as a backdrop to landscape the area with a Spanish garden theme. Use terra cotta and concrete containers for planting Spanish bellflowers, geraniums, lantana and carnations -- the national flower of Spain. Mix in some ceramic containers in aqua, gold and olive green to add a Moroccan and Mediterranean flair. Stain the concrete in a dark umber color to add earth tones and enhance the Spanish theme.

Herbal Garden Path

• Introduce engaging scents and fragrances along the retaining wall pathway. Plant herbs in containers and create an herbal garden path. The heat from the concrete on warm summer days will warm up the containers, helping the plants emit their fragrance. Use cinder blocks, as risers, for the containers to give the herb garden a tiered and layered look. Plant mint, sage, basil, thyme, oregano and other cooking favorites. Use a few tall-growing plants, such as sunflowers and echinacea, to add color to the setting. Hang baskets on the retaining wall to give it a decorative touch.