Changes in elevations can provide lots of design potential to make very interesting gardens. Terraces provide opportunities for flow in the garden and make small spaces seem bigger. Retaining walls can give a garden strong bones and be offset by interesting plant materials for a sensational looking garden. Retaining walls are also functional in providing flat spaces for play areas, patio, lawns, planting beds. The grading is one of the first elements of designing a garden, retaining options are explored early in the design process.