- Designers use molds or wood shells to make poured concrete retaining walls. Poured concrete has a liquid texture and without a mold you must pour the concrete on a flat surface, let it dry and then pour more layers poured on top. With a mold, shell, or frame, the device is set up on your lawn in the location of the retaining wall. The builder pours the liquid concrete inside and waits for it to completely dry. He removes the sides and the added dirt or soil to bring the wall flush with your lawn.
- Designers make concrete look like a variety of different surfaces, including stone and brick. The surface gives the concrete more texture and keeps it from looking too flat or dull. The texture goes on the concrete when it is still wet, by using panels on the inside of the mold. The panels mimic the texture and look of brick or stone. When the concrete is poured into the mold, the sides sit directly against the panels and as the concrete dries, the design is imprinted on the concrete.
- Give your textured retaining wall a more realistic look by adding a coat of stain to the dried surface. Use a dark red stain for brick-style walls, or more muted neutral tones to replicate the look of stone. The website Concrete Ideas recommends hiring a professional contractor or builder that has experience in staining concrete, as the process is fairly difficult. Unless you have experience working with concrete, you might ruin the final look.
- If you have an older poured concrete retaining wall, then decorate the wall with primer and paint. Go over the entire wall with a paint roller, giving the wall an even coat of primer. Use the roller to paint over the dry primer. Go over the wall again with a paintbrush, filling in any areas that you missed. You may want to add a second coat of paint for a richer look.
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