The first thing people see when visiting your business is its exterior. The landscape surrounding your business helps create good first impressions and retain high property value. Understanding good landscape design is the first step toward developing an aesthetically pleasing commercial exterior.
What Makes Up Landscaping?
There are two critical terms to know when designing your perfect outdoor space: hardscapes and softscapes. “Hardscape” is an umbrella term for man-made features in your space. Pathways, walls, firepits, and your driveway would all fall into this category. “Softscape” is the umbrella term for the different plants in your space. Everything from grass to trees to daisies falls into this category.
Together, hardscape and softscape create your landscape. Balancing these two elements will help you create an eye-catching exterior for your business and, when done correctly, will raise your property value.
Now that the terminology is out of the way, how do you balance the two elements of landscaping to create an ideal outdoor space?
Balancing Hardscape and Softscape
Ensuring your landscape has a good balance of hardscape and softscape will produce the commercial exterior you desire. However, there are a few important questions to answer before you design the landscape of your dreams.
How Will the Yard Be Used?
Will it be a sanctuary of relaxation for your employees? Maybe you run a daycare and need plenty of space for the kids. Once you know how your space is going to be used, you can move on to the fun stuff.
What Kind of Aesthetic do You Want?
An outdoor space with no plants or one with no pavement? Do you want plants with more sharp or round edges? Ground-cover plants? Or no plants except trees? Do you want a stepping stone walkway or a sidewalk? For shade, do you choose a pergola or gazebo?
When it comes to choosing plants and hardscape, the options can seem truly endless. A professional can help you decide without getting overwhelmed.
How Much Maintenance Do You Want to Do?
A lot of hardscape means you won’t have to spend as much time maintaining your plants, and vice versa. How accessible is water in your area? If there’s a lot of natural rainfall, watering will be less of an issue, but in more drought-prone areas, the upkeep of your space may be more difficult.
Also, pay attention to the impermeability of your hardscape surfaces. Most hardscapes don’t allow water to flow naturally, which means pooling and flooding may be possible. Ensure your hardscapes won’t cause harm to your plants or building before you put your outdoor space together.
Contact Land Concepts for Premium Landscaping and Hardscaping
With a business to run, you’ve likely got plenty of things to worry about besides your landscaping. In that case, it’s best to leave the job to the pros.
At Land Concepts, we have years of experience designing and installing beautiful, commercial outdoor spaces. Give us a call to get started on your next project!
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