1. Crafts and nature intertwine in a brick wall
Add depth to the steps with this formal brick wall. The brick circle at the bottom shows a touch of craftsmanship.
The cascade of flowers planted in the center adds an organic touch to this farmhouse style home.
via Susan Cohan Gardens
2. Add charm to a rose garden with a multi-level seating area
If your garden hill has a level area, consider building several levels. This patio had enough flat surface in the middle to add a seating section in the middle.
Placing the bench between the retaining walls created a fragrant area between the rose beds.
via Garden Nest
3. Enhance your hillside with a stunning waterfall and pool
A simple hillside gets a big upgrade with a waterfall. The water drains into a pool with a return pump.
The pool is hidden under the river rocks and surrounded by boulders. Creates the illusion that the water feature is original to the landscape.
via Outdoor Makeover
4. Opt for local plants and stone slabs for your hillside garden
Another option for landscaping your hillside garden is to fill it with plants. The best plants to use will be found locally. They have the best chance of surviving and thriving. The plants will also combine well with others.
Stone slabs are a great option for steps. They prevent dirt from moving and can be cut into odd dimensions.
via Sallie Hill Design
5. Create a stylish path with light-colored pavers at the base of the hill
The deliberate placement of light-colored pavers at the base of the hill creates a sophisticated path.
Video of 27 Best Hillside Landscaping Ideas on a Budget:
It creates a distinct change from the organic look of the walls and plants on the steps.
via Studio 342
6. Show off a bold design with retaining walls and brick stairs
This landscape opts for brick. It was used on high and low retaining walls.
It was also used for stairs. Staggered boulders are a unique way to contain dirt and create interest in the hill.
via Carrington Hill Designs
7. Create a glamorous hillside retreat with stone slab stairs
Look for flat areas along the hill that can be leveled and used as a sitting or eating area.
If you’re going for an organic look, build your steps with natural materials like these stone slabs. Matching plants on each side create a bookend look.
via scenic landscaping
8. Concrete stairs and seats with contrasting design elements
This winding path requires you to climb stairs. The stairs and retaining wall were made of poured concrete. The seating area contrasts the road through the use of hard corners and angles. It is also separated by the use of gray concrete and pavers.
The two sections are connected by the brown gravel that flows beneath the pavers.
via Envision Landscape Studio
9. Spruce up a dining room with brick and reclaimed concrete stairs
Tall flowers create a dream garden. Bricks and slabs of reclaimed cement form the stairs that lead to a dining room covered with umbrellas.
The lamps that illuminate the steps blend in with the landscape.
via Westover Landscape Design
10. Use large steps to divide your garden
Use large steps to divide a sloping garden. An area of grass provides a lush contrast to the older trees.
Stairs provide easy access to the house and divide the patio into two sections.
via Keith Willig
11. Modify the Hillside Staircase with a Creeping Thyme Ground Cover
When creating a staircase, it is important to consider the slope and distance. The base slabs are wider. In the middle, adding a plateau eases the transition before the last five steps. The owners created a little piece of paradise there by adding a groundcover of creeping thyme.
Creeping grasses are a useful and inexpensive way to add ground cover to your landscape. They attract pollinators and are fragrant and edible.
Golden oregano is a hearty alternative to the creeping thyme shown here.
via Houzz
12. Serene Pool Waterfall with Stepped Retaining Wall Accent
Two levels of retaining walls separate the patio and pool area. The side of the hot tub, pool surround and trim were finished with the same stone as the patio walls and pillars. The water flowing from the bathtub into the pool creates a relaxing waterfall sound.
Building levels on the hill saves money on excavations. Building low retaining walls can be a rewarding project that you can do yourself.
Track B Gordon Builders
13. Add seating and a pond to prevent flooding to the sloped patio
Add steps and a seating area at the bottom of the hill. If you have an area that floods, build a pond with a pump to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs.
This patio takes advantage of its natural slope to drain water to the desired area. The garden area is defined using gravel as a base.
via Claire Jones Landscapes
14. Renew your hillside with stone walls, stairs and a gazebo
Build retaining walls and stairs using natural stones and flagstones. The shaded seating area creates a cozy seating area.
via Huettl Design
15. Beautify Hillside Stone Steps with a Colorful Ground Cover
Ground cover does not have to be left out. It can be used in place of gravel on walkways. This path mixes the soil with large stone slabs.
The types of ground cover you choose will vary depending on the climate in your area.
through the classic children’s landscape
16. Add texture to your retaining wall with climbing ivy
The retaining wall is hidden by climbing ivy.
Ornamental grasses create privacy around a secluded living area. The white round pavers at the bottom add a touch of whimsy.
via Griffin Enright Architects
17. Create cohesive retaining walls with varied materials
Various sections here use different materials for retaining walls.
The stone slabs, wooden borders and bricks work together maintaining the reddish brick color.
via Houzz
18. Prevent Erosion with a Ground Cover of Creeping Phlox
Secluded seating areas are one of the most popular ideas for hill landscaping. A path was created with irregular stone pavers.
Creeping Phlox on the hill adds color and prevents erosion. More ground cover and low shrubs will not block the beautiful landscape.
via Island Gardens Company
19. Incorporate plants into retaining walls and pavers
The retaining wall here is softened by using plants as a border.
Large flagstone pavers get a unique look by deliberately planting grass between the edges.
via Maria Landtech
20. Reclaimed Bricks Create a Retaining Wall for Wildflower Beds
Wildflowers are beautiful as a backdrop to your lawn.
A low retaining wall constructed from hand-cut reclaimed bricks is the perfect choice for informal flower beds.
via David Thorne
21. Provide stability with white gravel rocks and railroad ties
When the slope is gentle, you have more options when choosing materials for your steps.
White gravel rocks can be used and held in place by railroad ties. Gravel is not ideal on steep slopes as it has no traction and can slide uncontrollably.
via Dabah Designs
22. Get a polished look with raised garden beds
Hills are the perfect place to build raised beds. Fruits and vegetables are planted along this path. Plants with roots that need deep soil can be planted on higher retaining walls.
Herbs are a good choice for hillside landscaping. There are many varieties that have deep roots that will help prevent soil erosion.
via Westover Landscape Design
23. Relax in luxury with stone steps and seamless brick walls
The use of stone flags for the steps and uniform bricks for the walls creates a formal look in this stepped patio.
via Alair Homes
24. Bring in rustic elegance with stone slab stairs
Use stone slabs for natural looking stairs. The large rocks and boulders on either side slow erosion and are an economical landscaping idea.
Shrubs and flowers soften the appearance.
through country landscapes
25. Create a luxurious garden with rock-walled zigzag stairs
A stepped zigzag path was created using rock walls. The stairs were built with poured cement.
They lead to a quiet and shady seating area.
through Confidence Landscaping
26. Get a contemporary vibe with a tiered rock garden
The retaining walls were created in levels. Rock gardens dotted with slow-growing plants are a low-maintenance solution.
via Groundswell Design Group
27. Spruce up your mulch beds with plants
A steep slope may not be accessible for daily maintenance.
In this case, a set of stairs is built on the sides of the hill. All grass was removed and replaced with mulch.