(ARA) - Once upon a time, backyard improvements meant pouring a concrete slab patio, stacking some treated landscape timbers and planting a few perennials.

That's no longer the case, through creative landscape design.

Today, backyard improvements include anything from curvaceous walls and stately columns to tiered gardens and graceful stairways, thanks to the versatility of segmental retaining wall systems. Homeowners are turning unused lawns into extensions of their living rooms or kitchens through creative landscape design.

While segmental retaining wall systems originally were designed with a single purpose in mind -- soil retention -- their use has expanded far beyond that, according to Bob Dahm, senior landscape architect with Villa Landscapes in Oakdale, Minn.

"It’s really quite amazing what you can do with some of these products," says Dahm, "particularly with the attractive patterns and textures available. Random-pattern walls such as Versa-Lok Mosaic, for example, achieve a handcrafted, natural-stone appearance that is at least as durable as natural stone -- and it’s more affordable and flexible. Used in concert with paving stone patios and walkways, these retaining wall systems make it possible to create just about any kind of living space outdoors."

Segmental retaining walls are built using high-strength concrete blocks without mortar or frost footings. Friction from the weight of the blocks stacked on top of one another and interlocking mechanisms keep the units together. The most durable systems employ solid concrete units held together by synthetic pins inserted from the top of each course of block and into the course below. Top pinning systems make unit alignment easy and allow maximum design creativity.

"Some segmental retaining wall systems employ blocks with hollow cores that require filling," says Dahm. "We’ve found these to be less structurally sound and less adaptable than solid-unit systems. Their design capabilities are very limited. And, with the additional time and materials needed to fill the hollow cores with aggregate, they’re more labor-intensive to install."

Free your imagination

Homeowners should let their imaginations go when discussing their plans with a landscape architect or designer, says Dahm. For example, rather than installing one large wall to eliminate a slope, consider a series of shorter walls to create several tiered gardens. Or use a meandering serpentine wall to follow the gentle contours of the land.

"Some of the more versatile retaining wall systems can be used to build freestanding walls or columns," says Dahm. "These can be particularly attractive around the perimeter of a raised paving stone patio, or flanking an entryway or driveway. These same retaining wall systems also can be used to build stairs."

Homeowners are rediscovering their front yards with entry courtyards and other amenities that incorporate freestanding walls and columns, says Dahm. "An entry courtyard makes a graceful transition between the streetscape and your doorstep. Like the front porches of yesteryear that have become fashionable again, an entry courtyard sends a welcome message to neighbors and visitors."

The hottest trend in landscaping is the "weathered" look. Individual retaining wall units undergo an aging process, without compromising their durability, to acquire a vintage, antique texture.

"The weathered option is extremely popular with homeowners seeking a more natural appearance," says Dahm. "It’s an ideal solution for historic preservation or renovation projects in which existing stone must be matched -- especially if you haven’t got a couple hundred years to wait."

Smart Investment

American spending on landscape installation and construction more than tripled in the past five years. Investing in landscaping is a good place to put your money if you want to increase the value of your home.

According to "Smart Money" magazine, consumers who spend 5 percent of the value of their home on landscaping can expect to add 15 percent or more to its value. And a recent study by Clemson University and the University of Maryland showed that buyers of existing homes will pay up to 11 percent more than the asking price for a home that features a well-designed landscape.

Segmental retaining walls can add value to your home, plus their utility goes far beyond straight walls. For more information on the many ways segmental retaining walls can enhance your landscape, contact Versa-Lok Retaining Wall Systems at (800) 770-4525, or www.versalok.com.