Function is probably on your mind when you make plans to build a retaining wall in your yard, but that doesn't mean that the wall can't be visually appealing, too. There are many different things that can help to make a retaining wall look good. Your choice of materials — stylish paver stones, for example — can augment the appearance of your retaining wall, while conscientious landscaping above and below it can also help to make it look its best. If you really want to put some effort into making your retaining wall a focal point in your yard, one option to consider is adding a waterfall to it. Here are three types of waterfalls to consider:

Rustic Waterfall

One waterfall design option to pursue is a rustic waterfall. This obviously works best if you're using rustic materials in the construction of your retaining wall. You can build a rustic-looking waterfall in a variety of ways, but natural stone elements will be critical to giving this fixture the look that you want. Consider having the water trickle over a series of stones that jut out of the retaining wall and then pool in a pond at the base — where it will get pumped back up to the top of the retaining wall to flow down again.

Modern Waterfall

Modern homes often have modern landscaping elements, including retaining walls. If you're building a modern-looking retaining wall, you might use rectangular blocks instead of natural stone, and you may also use stained wood to give the structure a highly refined appearance. To further support your modern theme, you might want to include lights in the retaining wall — including some that are positioned behind the waterfall to illuminate it at night. Such a design can go a long way toward improving the curb appeal of your modern home.

Multiple Waterfalls

Another idea to consider is to have a series of small waterfalls along the length of your retaining wall instead of one main waterfall. Doing so involves more planning and supplies. For example, you'll need multiple pumps, significantly more piping, and other similar products. However, the visual end product can be very appealing. For example, if you have a retaining wall that separates to allow a staircase through it, it can seem unbalanced to have a waterfall on just one side of the wall. In this design, a waterfall on each side of the stairs can be visually engaging.