If you don’t give the outside of your commercial building much thought other than mowing the lawn or washing the windows, you’re making a critical mistake. The exterior of your building says a lot about your sense of professionalism. It will impact the way that clients, customers, and employees think of your company.
Weeds, dried-out grass, dead plants, and underutilized spaces are unattractive and unwelcoming. This scenario is also common among commercial spaces.
Investing in commercial landscaping services ensures you create a respectable and attractive exterior that aligns with your brand values. After all, you want to create excellent first impressions.
Here’s how a beautiful and healthy landscape design can help.
What Is a Healthy Landscape?
You may not have heard the term healthy landscape before. However, simple changes in landscaping design improve the look of the space and have a beneficial impact on human health.
A healthy landscape involves creating a balanced ecosystem with flora, fauna, and other elements that can sustain itself. The right design also benefits humans both physically and emotionally.
Professional landscaping contractors can create an exterior that looks natural and inviting. They know which native plants to use and where to place them so that they will thrive. Landscapers also know how to use all the space you have to create gorgeous and long-lasting designs.
How Professionals Create a Healthy Landscape
There are a few basic steps to achieve a healthy landscape. First, there’s an evaluation of your current landscape. Without viewing the property and planning for obstacles, a landscaper can’t create their best design.
They consider the health and quality of the soil, how much sun the area gets, what types of local plant life would thrive in the area, how to make use of the space you have, and more.
The evaluation stage is also when a landscaping company will learn more about your goals. For instance, maybe you want to have an outdoor sitting area for your office building. You can create a place for employees to relax during lunch or somewhere to take a short walk.
Designing a Plan
After viewing your property and determining your goals, a landscaper can create a plan. The plan includes planting recommendations, layouts, features, and more. Essentially, it’s a floor plan for your outdoor area.
A landscape plan includes trees, flowers, and grass, as well as patios, hardscaping, water features, etc. It’s a digital layout or roadmap that helps plan a design that aligns with a client’s goals and budget.
Commercial general contractors understand what types of plants are suited for your area and which will grow best on your grounds. For example, if you have acidic soil, you’ll need to choose plants that can handle or prefer those conditions. You also want to select native plants, as it helps to preserve biodiversity.
You’ll get a glimpse of how elements such as ground cover, trees, and other design elements add layers of visual interest. It might surprise you to learn what’s possible and how the right landscaper can transform the space you already have.
Connecting the Elements With Landscape Architecture
Landscape design should borrow elements from your building’s design so that it complements your commercial space.
Consider some of the most iconic landscape designs in the world, such as the beautiful imperial garden of the Summer Palace in northwest Beijing. The gardens and natural elements coexist in harmony with the architecture and create a beautiful and cohesive space.
Landscape architecture refers to the idea of designing an outdoor space, such as a park or garden, around existing architecture, such as roads and buildings. Golf courses, public parks, resorts, and zoos already strive to do this.
Central Park is a great example. This massive green space provides city dwellers with a burst of nature that can provide relief from the concrete jungle. The design of Central Park is one of the most significant cultural achievements of America.
Contemporary landscape design uses the same concept that landscapers did over a hundred years ago. Landscaping has to complement the architecture, not detract from it.
Considering Function and Accessibility
You want to maximize every inch of space that you have available. You’d be surprised by how you can add touches of beauty and natural elements to the space you already have but aren’t utilizing as well.
Imagine a cafe on a busy street with a large but boring concrete patio that looks out at the passing traffic. A few tables and chairs don’t make that space much more inviting.
However, adding layers with trees, planters, fences, lighting, etc., turn a cold and uninviting exterior into a fun and relaxing place to spend an hour or two.
Keep in mind that a beautiful design also has to remain functional. There should be ample space to move, and you must consider safety as well.
Pathways with ample lighting weaving throughout the yard add visual interest and serve an important purpose. As a commercial space, it’s also crucial to consider handicap accessibility.
Adding Layers
Layering a landscape combines a variety of plants into the foreground, middle ground, and background for aesthetic appeal. It creates a very natural and visually interesting area.
Landscape layering involves combining the following natural elements:
- Evergreen, shade, and ornamental trees
- Evergreen and deciduous shrubs
- Grasses, flowers, and plants
- Groundcover
- Bulbs
- Annuals
- Herbs
By starting with one area, such as planting trees, and working your way down to smaller elements, you can create a dynamic environment. The goal is for your grounds to look good year-round. Seasonal landscaping and incorporating evergreen plants help to create this effect.
However, it’s not enough to simply add elements from the list. There needs to be a sense of balance, or the effect can become overwhelming (or underwhelming.)
While it might sound easy, getting the right balance is tricky. You need to understand design principles such as depth, flow, scale, and repetition. Working with professional commercial contractors ensures you know what to plant and where to achieve a harmonious effect.
Adding layers also includes hardscape features. Hardscaping elements are ideal for commercial spaces, as it’s an easy way to create divided areas, pathways, and water features. Incorporating stone walls, stairs, ramps, etc., adds visual interest and can reduce the time it takes you to maintain the area.
Upkeep and Maintenance
Speaking of maintenance, you must consider the time it takes to care for your grounds between seasons. Thankfully, selecting the right plants that fit your environment will reduce the amount of time needed for maintenance.
You’ll spend less time mowing the lawn if you incorporate hardscaping and other design elements. Many native plants also work together to achieve a healthy environment. For instance, companion planting may attract beneficial insects that can help combat pests.
Commercial landscape maintenance preserves the beauty of your grounds, helping your business appear more professional and welcoming. Grounds maintenance includes mowing, trimming, weed control, tree care, monitoring for pests, fertilization, and much more.
Investing in regular maintenance after designing a beautiful outdoor area ensures that you always make a great first impression.
The Benefits of Healthy Commercial Landscaping
Why is a healthy and beautiful commercial landscaping design so advantageous?
For one, creating natural spaces for people benefits their mental and physical well-being. It’s scientifically proven that being in nature reduces stress and muscle tension, lowers cortisol levels, and helps us to relax. Green spaces have also been linked to lower rates of depression and increased motivation.
For a business, incorporating more green space means happier employees and customers. Healthy and happy workers are more productive and likely to stick around longer. Customers that love the look of your outdoor area will continue to come back and provide continued business.
Adding green spaces also has a positive impact on our environment. Trees clean our air, give us oxygen, and have a natural cooling effect. They also absorb carbon dioxide, which helps to reduce the effects of climate change.
Another benefit of adding more greenery and landscaping elements is that it can help to reduce noise. For commercial buildings in a city, noise can be a real problem. Thankfully, greenery helps to block some of the street noise and can even create a private area for people to relax and unwind.
Selecting native plants benefits the local wildlife as well. It’s great for our pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, as it provides a source of food. Trees and shrubs also provide shelter for birds and other mammals.
Commercial Landscaping in Denver
As you can see, there are many benefits to landscaping for your commercial property. If you use the tips in this guide, it will be easier to create a stunning and professional exterior that suits your business.
Do you need commercial landscaping in Denver or Colorado Springs? Hammers Construction can help you bring your vision to life. Our commercial landscaping services ensure you’ll always have a well-maintained exterior.
Ready to make a great first impression? Contact us today to discuss the project and get a free quote.