6 Design Ideas for Commercial Landscapes

Design Considerations for Commercial Landscapes

Successful commercial landscaping is dependent on several factors. Achieving attractive and well maintained commercial landscapes starts with professional design services where all aspects are taken into consideration. This service includes green space & garden plantings, hardscapes and traffic flow, irrigation and drainage, and lighting.

Aesthetics, environmental responsibility, and easy maintenance are some of the primary features included in the design and construction process. Let’s look at some of the priorities and considerations when planning ideal commercial landscapes for all types of businesses and institutions.

1. Tell Your Story

Your commercial facility has a signature persona or brand. You want to convey that right from the start. The first impression of your business or institution begins at the exterior. As your clients and customers approach the facility, they will get a sense of what your mission and values are.

Well designed and maintained commercial landscapes send the message that you care about appearance and the well-being of both your employees and your patrons. It also implies that you care about the sustainability of the environment. Tell your story through the attention you give these attributes.

2. Be Welcoming

Encourage your visitors to stop in through your landscaping. The addition of thoughtfully designed handicapped access ways and parking areas shows that you are universally friendly. Outdoor seating areas imply that you encourage employees to take advantage of the fresh air and sunlight and that you welcome visitors to do the same. Water features can be a relaxing attraction. A soft surface play area for children to enjoy is another inviting attraction.

3. Clearly Define Traffic Flow

There is nothing more frustrating than overshooting a property entrance because it was not clearly identified. The entrance drive should be clearly defined with identifiable curb cuts, pavement markings, and stately perimeter plantings. Break up parking bays with islands of plantings for visual appeal and comfort. Choose pathway materials that are appropriately colored and textured for easy navigation.

Commercial landscape design doesn’t end with the plantings. All areas of the property, including the entrance sign, need to be well lit for night access. The lighting doesn’t need to be street poles with high-intensity lamps. Consider less intrusive bollard lights with LED lamps and subtle, but safe, step lights.

4. Grab the Attention of the Public

Thoughtful commercial landscapes can make people stop and take notice. Having a variety of flowering gardens mixed with shaded lawn areas will entice people to stop and admire. Choosing local plants that will thrive is important. Changing out flowering plants seasonally can also be enticing. Placing plantings around your entrance since will grab the attention of the curious by-passer.

5. Highlight the Architecture

The buildings are often the focal point of a property. If the architecture is unique, add plantings that direct patrons to the building, yet allow open space for the building to be admired in full. If the building is less than stellar, consider making a statement with a living wall or add a green roof to tell a story about repurposing the structure for the good of the environment.

Commercial landscapes go beyond the exterior property. Don’t forget about interior plantings, especially in lobby areas and atriums.

6. Practice Sustainability

The more natural green space you have, the more you are contributing to the health of the planet and lessening the carbon footprint. Limit, or breakup, hardscapes with plantings, especially in parking lots. Install smart irrigation technology to conserve water, such as rainwater catchments, sends a clear message that you care about the environment. Appropriate shade trees can cut down on summer cooling costs.

When planning your long-term commercial landscape, take advantage of the knowledge your landscape professional has. Ask questions about all of the ideas and pointers discussed here about landscaping commercial buildings. Try to gain a clear understanding of how the property will mature and what it will take to maintain it. A well-conceived design and maintenance plan will enhance your business and draw attention to it.

Contact Executive Landscaping Today!

The innovative design professionals at Executive Landscaping can help with all of your needs for making your commercial landscape as unique, sustainable, and attractive as possible. We are highly experienced and continually educated in the latest advances in local horticulture and environmental practices. Contact us to schedule your commercial landscaping consultation to discuss your project.