This Oakville homeowner wanted more room to enjoy their backyard, but the existing property dropped away into a wooded slope. There was no defined level area for seating, entertaining, or simply spending time outside.
Excel Landscaping built a retaining wall system to hold back the grade and create the level backyard space the property was missing. The project also included a central set of steps and railing, providing a clear transition between the new usable area and the lower portion of the property.
The Backyard Needed a Better Solution for the Slope
Before construction, much of the backyard was defined by the natural hillside. As the before photo shows, the ground dropped through the wooded property, leaving limited level space near the home.
The homeowner wasn’t looking to simply change how the slope looked. They wanted to get more use out of their property.
That meant addressing the grade first so a practical outdoor area could be created.
Building the Retaining Wall to Create More Level Space
The retaining wall was built into the hillside to establish a defined, level area above it.
Rather than fighting the natural grade of the entire property, the wall creates a clear transition between the usable backyard near the home and the wooded slope below. Its curved layout follows the property while providing the structural separation needed to hold the new grade.
Once the wall established that level, the backyard could become a space the homeowners could actually use.
Adding Steps and Railing for Backyard Access
Creating the level area was only part of the project. The homeowner still needed a practical way to move between the upper backyard and lower property.
A central staircase was incorporated directly into the retaining wall, with black metal railing installed along the top of the wall.
This gives the finished project a defined edge while keeping access to the lower wooded portion of the property.
A Retaining Wall That Gave the Backyard More Purpose
The biggest improvement isn’t simply the appearance of the new wall. It’s what the wall allowed the homeowners to do with their property.
Instead of having the backyard immediately give way to a slope, they now have a more level, defined outdoor area near the home that can be used for relaxing, gathering, and enjoying the wooded surroundings.
For this Oakville property, the retaining wall became the foundation for a backyard that is much easier to enjoy.