How to Enhance Your Landscape: The Wonderful Potential of Patio Seat Walls and Modern Seat Walls

When it comes to adding seating to your outdoor living space, a patio seat wall is a great way to combine functions without taking up too much space and making the patio feel cluttered. Patio seat walls and modern seat walls can be beautiful and practical additions to a landscape.

What Is A Concrete Seat Wall?

Concrete seat walls, also known as modern seat walls, are true space-enhancers. They’re perfect for casual get-togethers, sunset watching, enjoying morning coffee, or taking in the view.

Concrete seat walls are also used to define spaces and tie the outdoor living space together. They can:

• encircle a beautiful fire pit and help trap the warmth of the flames within the space;

• act as a border for your patio, extending the masonry themes and creating a sense of enclosure that makes the patio feel cozier;

• provide a barrier between the safe walking space and the natural features of an outdoor living space;

• provide comfort for your guests no matter how big the gathering;

• act as a decorative masonry addition that enhances the overall look of your home and landscape;

• give your guests a sense of welcome if placed on the outer side of a front walkway.

There are some creative ways to enhance your landscape with a concrete seat wall. Where can you imagine putting yours?

They are constructed of decorative concrete blocks or concrete blocks clad in decorative veneer. Depending on the wall and whether the wall is on a slope or on flat land, you may need two courses: one for the front, and one for the back.  

All seat walls are topped with a capstone that’s deep enough to sit on comfortably. This can be a natural stone slab, or a concrete capstone.

How Tall Should A Patio Seat Be?

The height of your patio seat should be between 18 and 24 inches above the surface of the surrounding patio: measure several chairs that are comfortable for you to sit on, and use that as a guide. To test it out, dry-stack your wall blocks and capstone and carefully sit down. 

A wall that’s too low won’t be comfortable for most people. They feel like they’re squatting which is painful for anyone with knee issues. 

If the wall is too high, people’s feet won’t touch the ground. This is preferable to a wall that’s too low from a comfort standpoint, but really, there’s no point in making the wall any higher or lower than chair height since the intended use is seating. 

If the blocks you’re using add up to an uncomfortable height (too low or too high) you could substitute one layer of blocks for a thinner decorative band of material to lower the final height; or add a thinner decorative band to make the wall a few inches higher. 

Don’t forget to account for the thickness of the capstone in your final measurements!

How Do You Build A Patio Sitting Wall?

Let’s go step by step on how to build a patio sitting wall for overflow seating for large parties and define spaces.

1. Planning

Accurate measurements will tell you exactly how many blocks, mortar, and other supplies you’ll need to buy. Use measuring tape, stakes, string, paper, and a marker to measure the length, depth, and height of the wall. Always re-measure a few times to make sure your dimensions are correct and you don’t end up with too few supplies halfway through the project.

2. Excavation

All masonry features require excavation and it’s important to follow the guidelines for your patio sitting wall. Never short-cut this step. First, dig a trench that’s at least 6 inches deep and extending at least 6 inches away from the outside of where the sitting wall will sit. The base needs to be perfectly level.

3. Foundation 

Again, the foundation is the most crucial component of construction. The ground needs to be firmly compacted in order to ensure that no air pockets or areas of instability exist (otherwise, the wall will shift and potentially collapse). 

Then, lay down a layer of 3 inches of your base gravel. Compact this layer again, then add another 3 inches, making sure to level this layer.

4. Bedding

Next, add a 1 inch layer of concrete sand on top of the gravel base. Again, level the material since it’s the surface on which you place the blocks. Do not add water or disturb it once it’s laid down. 

5. Set the First Layer of Blocks

Place the first layer of blocks in your predetermined course. If you’re using blocks that do not fit together like puzzle pieces, each block will need to be mortared to its neighbor. Either way, the block must be tamped down with a rubber mallet to ensure that it’s level before moving on to the next block. This first layer is the most important, so take your time and don’t cut any corners. 

6. Adding the Next Layers

From here, building the wall will seem easier and more satisfying. Apply a layer of mortar if applicable, and then set the next layer of blocks firmly in place. Continue until your wall is the correct height. 

7. Adding the Capstone

Finish the wall with a generously sized capstone that makes it a comfortable seat. The capstone is the “crowning glory” of your wall!

How Do You Build A Retaining Wall Seat?

A retaining wall has many functions in a landscape, including holding back the forces of nature and expanding outdoor living spaces.

If a retaining wall is low enough (18 to 24 inches), the top of the retaining wall itself could act as the seat platform, with a gentle upward slope of earth behind the wall. Make sure to use a generous capstone for comfort.

If the retaining wall is higher, the seat can be butted up against the structure, effectively giving you a masonry back to lean against. 

This solution makes for an incredibly cozy space as the wall can block chilly winds and help trap heat in the area if the seating faces a fire pit.

The base of these attached seats can even bolster the retaining wall, allowing the wall to be a bit higher without special engineering. When the two features are designed together, it can be a beautiful structure with multiple functions.