Why Retaining Walls Matter
Retaining walls are one of the most versatile and impactful landscaping upgrades you can make. They combine practical benefits with curb appeal, making your outdoor areas easier to use and more enjoyable to maintain. Here’s how retaining walls work in your favor:
Control Erosion and Runoff: Stop soil from shifting during storms or heavy watering. Retaining walls hold everything in place and direct water where it belongs.
Maximize Space: Sloped yards can be hard to use. A retaining wall creates level surfaces for patios, gardens, or play areas.
Improve Aesthetics: With stone, concrete, or modular block designs, your wall adds texture and shape to your yard while defining clean lines.
Support Planting Areas: Raised beds, tiered gardens, or flower walls become easier to manage with built-in structure.
Increase Property Value: A well-designed, well-installed retaining wall adds lasting value by solving problems and elevating curb appeal.
Time to Reinforce Slopes and Level Out Spaces?
Steep grades, soil erosion, and unmanageable elevations can make your yard harder to enjoy and even harder to maintain. If parts of your landscape are slipping, washing out, or just lacking usable space, a retaining wall might be the right solution.
At Arts Landscaping and Maintenance, we install retaining walls for homes and commercial properties in Chicago and cities like Aurora, Naperville, Elgin, Schaumburg, Bolingbrook, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, and beyond. From functional load-bearing designs to decorative garden walls, our team delivers clean, durable results that support your property while enhancing its overall look. Whether you’re fixing a slope or framing your flower beds, we’ll build a wall that fits your vision, and your yard.
We start by evaluating the space, checking slope, soil conditions, drainage, and what you’re hoping to achieve. Then we recommend the best type of wall for your needs and style.
On-Site Assessment and Design Discussion
Next, we help you choose the right materials: natural stone, concrete blocks, timber, or decorative modular options. We consider aesthetics, structural needs, and long-term durability.
Planning and Material Selection
We dig out the area, level the base, and prepare for drainage layers to prevent future water pressure. This foundation stage is what makes the wall last.
Excavation and Site Prep
We install each course with care, using proper reinforcement methods, drainage systems, and backfill. Every block is placed for strength, stability, and alignment.
Wall Construction
Once the wall is complete, we clean the area, review the structure, and walk it with you to ensure everything looks and performs exactly how you expected.
Clean-Up and Final Review
How Our Retaining Wall Installation Process Works
We believe in building it right from the ground up. Here’s how our retaining wall installation service works:
Why Choose Arts Landscaping and Maintenance?
Installing a retaining wall isn’t just about stacking blocks, it’s about combining design with function. Here’s why people across Chicago trust us:
Built for Chicago Yards: From clay soil to tight city spaces, we understand what local landscapes need. We build walls that hold up to freeze-thaw cycles, rainstorms, and heavy use.
Skilled Craftsmanship: Each wall we build is made with attention to detail and long-lasting technique. Our crew takes pride in precision and it shows in the final product.
Straightforward Process: We keep communication open and honest. No hidden fees, no confusing timelines, just clear plans and dependable work.
Solutions That Last: We build with structure in mind, whether the wall is one foot or six. Every project is reinforced, drained, and designed to stand up over time.
If you’ve lost topsoil or noticed washouts after a heavy rain, a wall can help control runoff and hold soil in place.
Your Yard Slopes or Erodes Easily
Retaining walls can redirect water away from the foundation and help with drainage grading.
Water Pools Near the House
If parts of your yard feel unusable due to slope, leveling with a retaining wall opens up new options.
Limited Usable Space
Raised beds, garden framing, and tiered patios all benefit from a wall that adds support and structure.
You’re Planning Landscaping Upgrades
Flooded mulch, sagging flower beds, or shifting pavers often mean your landscape needs a stronger boundary.
You’ve Had Repeated Landscaping Damage
Signs You Might Need a Retaining Wall
Still deciding if you need one? These common signs point to a retaining wall being the right call:
Why DIY Wall Building Isn’t Always the Best Bet
Thinking of installing a retaining wall on your own? It’s possible, but there are a few challenges worth considering:
No Room for Error
A poorly built wall can shift, bulge, or collapse, causing bigger problems than it solves. Professional work ensures proper footing, compaction, and drainage.
More Than Just Looks
You might get the surface right, but what’s underneath matters more. Without the right base prep, even the nicest wall won’t last.
Drainage Challenges
Water behind the wall builds pressure fast. Without drain tile or gravel backfill, you’re at risk of bowing or blowouts.
It’s Heavy Work
Hauling and placing blocks, compacting gravel, and leveling base material takes time, tools, and strength. Most homeowners find it’s more than a weekend job.
Missed Permits or Codes
Even smaller walls sometimes require local approval or need to follow city code. We handle all of that up front so your project stays compliant and safe.
Our Full-Range of Landscaping and Maintenance Services
At Arts Landscaping and Maintenance, retaining walls are just one part of a full outdoor transformation. These other services work hand in hand with retaining wall installation to create a polished, functional landscape:
I’m a person who takes a lot of pride in my landscaping, I’ve tried company after company, most of them made me feel like I was asking too much, was a hassle, or would be inconsistent w booking, when my friend recommended Arts Landscaping I didn’t know how great of an experience I would truly have. Brandon was extremely patient listening to all my requests and better yet fulfilling them! They are also very punctual and catered to my availability. I also really like how they clean up after them selves, no meat over grass chucks anll over my walk way or my lawn. Their work amazing and it’s fast! If you’re thinking of trying this company DO IT!
Sumee Abbasi
I definitely recommend all of the work that they do and I’m very pleased. There wasn’t any grass in the space before and now it’s very lush. I hired them to do two of my front bushes and help me get grass again. It was reasonably price and they were are professional. I will be hiring them for any future projects I have.
Andres Manuel
I had a great experience using this company. Brandon came by and talked through all of the areas I wanted work done. I wasn't totally sure of everything I wanted, so he was helpful and gave his advice. I appreciated that the quote was clear and detailed. He priced out different options for retaining walls, which helped me determine the best option for me. Scheduling was quick and easy. I am very happy with the work overall and plan to use them again in the future.
Fadya Salem
I absolutely love this company! I had very large bushes in front of my house that I needed to have trimmed. I tried in the past to work with three different companies and they ended up never getting trimmed because the communication was horrible. But as soon as I started working with Arts Landscaping And Maintenance Llc, the communication was great. They listened to what I wanted to have done and were very clear about the schedule. Extremely professional, I would highly rate them and hope to work with them again in the future.
River Watts
Popular Retaining Wall FAQs
Book Your Retaining Wall Installation Today
Whether you’re solving a slope issue or just looking to add dimension to your landscape, a well-built retaining wall brings lasting benefits. At Arts Landscaping and Maintenance, we’ll guide you through every step, from design to installation, so your yard stays beautiful and secure.
Reach out now to schedule your free estimate. We proudly serve homeowners and businesses across Chicago with retaining wall solutions built to last.