9 Down-Sloped Backyard Ideas That Turn a Tricky Space Into a Showpiece

Weave in Edible Gardens

Vegetable beds have the dual benefit of holding up soil and providing a delicious harvest. Katherine Montgomery, a landscape designer at Terremoto, has used this technique in several homes with hilly yards.

"On the more gradual slopes, we created stone-circled beds of vegetables with a graceful timber step path leading through them," she says. "In a Laguna project, we created switchbacks up a steep slope, retained with timbers, and planted an orchard and soil-retaining natives going up the hill."

Terrace Your Greenery

Poor drainage is a common issue in down-sloped backyards, so it's important to not only stagger your retaining walls, but also the greenery.

"When planting, you'll need to create little terraces for each plant with berms to hold water," says Montgomery. "Creating even [small] paths through the hillside with timber steps or mini terraces can create lovely moments to interact with the landscape."

Opt for Fibrous Plants

For a budget-friendly option, consider planting grasses or other fibrous, wide-spreading rooted plants to create a light yet lush look on slopes.

"You can have fun with bunching plants that spread by color and texture," says Sara Bendrick, landscape designer and owner of Sarita Landscapes. "A handful of Mexican sage planted with groupings of fountain grass and then maybe some [foxtail agave] could look stunning in repeated groupings."

Get Playful

Montgomery finds that hillsides act as naturally playful spaces.

"A change in elevation creates the new perspective kids love. It also makes room for swings and slides," she says. "We built a custom play structure into a hillside at our Walker House project that kids and adults both love to climb on."

Use Staggered Retaining Walls

From a more practical perspective, retaining walls are a tried and true way to stabilize slopes.

"There are so many ways to make them, from affordable, pressure-treated wood to more costly masonry options," Bendrick says.

She suggests staggering multiple small walls for an elegant look.

"Sometimes the design needs big walls to create level space, but they can feel overpowering, so it's best to work with the slope the best you can," she says. "It's also usually better on the budget to do smaller walls."

Add a Deck

There are several ways to level out a sloped yard, depending on the incline. Some methods can open up your yard for al fresco entertainment.

"Sometimes adding a deck a few steps or mid-way into a slope is the best way to get usable space," Bendrick says. "The most important part is making sure you have adequately designed retaining walls and drainage."

Create Multiple Zones

Severe slopes may feel like a lost cause, but a few big moves can transform your yard into an entirely new space.

"Walls and terraces can create multiple usable zones, which we’ve done many times on steep properties in Los Angeles and the Bay Area," says Montgomery. "We love when a wall is a bold design feature."

Combine Deep-Rooted Plants

When it comes to landscaping, it can be helpful to diversify plantings so that you get the best of both worlds.

"We try to first plant larger native shrubs and trees that can grip soil with their deep roots to prevent erosion, followed by a matrix of creeping ground covers," Montgomery says.