Replacing a wall with what??

NormsGarden

We don't like this wall in our back garden. We thought about removing and putting sleepers in.Or wood decking panels over the top, ceramic tiles were mentioned. Anyone got any ideas?

didyw

It would be a lot of work to replace it as you would have to keep the earth shored up.  Have you thought about simply painting it?  If it were mine I'd paint it black I think, and plant trailing plants behind to trail over it.

Dovefromabove

didyw said:

It would be a lot of work to replace it as you would have to keep the earth shored up.  Have you thought about simply painting it?  If it were mine I'd paint it black I think, and plant trailing plants behind to trail over it.

I agree ... except I think it should be a matt dark charcoal colour rather than full on black (and by no means gloss).  Then it'll fade into the background rather than be so stark as it is now.  Grow trailing plants over it and you'll forget it's there.

Lyn

Or a terracotta to match and blend with brick paving.

NormsGarden

Thanks, we thought about trailing plants, but not really

bertrand-mabel

Agree with @Lyn terracota would look great and would take away that feeling that the wall takes over. I wouldn't get rid of it too much work and too much expense.

B3

Once painted ( I prefer the charcoal colour idea) you could put some rectangular containers on it and leave some space between for additional seating if you entertain in your garden.

GardenerSuze

@NormsGarden You mention trailing plants, I think that is a great idea. The only thought is do you like to sit on the wall? There are so many plants that you could go for depending on aspect. You have your table and chairs so guess a sunny spot? Perhaps go for jewel colours like Monty likes. Purples, reds and oranges maybe or thymes if the soil is free draining. Plants are expensive but you could start with a few and the lift and split them over time. That wall is great perhaps a different colour?

edhelka

I would never replace a wall with sleepers because of their significantly lower lifespan.
To soften it, I would paint it slightly darker. Putting wood or tiles on top of it is actually a good idea.
I think I would do wood, which would double as a bench/seating, alternated with planters and trailing plants.

NormsGarden

Many thanks all for the responses, the bricks on the ground may well come up yet, we just want a more modern twist. Charcoal paint, I can visualise this and seems ok. Not 100% convinced on trailing plants, we ll see

Fairygirl

I'd wood clad that - match it up to the existing fence. You could add a paving 'top' to it which would double as seating, or - if you have sufficient funds, you can get lengths of natural timber which are more organic in shape. 
If you have the paving, make sure it's well seated/mortared onto the existing wall, with a small overhang beyond the timber cladding.
Or - get it rendered, and add a coping of paving for a contemporary look.

No matter how you paint that - it'll still look like a ropey wall IMO.