Business is getting more competitive by the year. This means that any detail that can make your business stand out can help you get ahead of the game.
Commercial landscaping is one such detail. Not only does a beautiful landscape design enhance the aesthetics of your business as customers enter and exit, it can also be used to subtly convey your business’ brand image and values.
Read on to learn how to use your outdoor spaces effectively to boost your business.
What is Commercial Landscaping?
Landscape, for a broad definition, is the process of designing and arranging outdoor spaces with plants, hardscapes, and other features to enhance aesthetics and functionality.
For commercial landscaping, designs focus on creating functional inviting outdoor environments for businesses, using elements like plants, pathways, lighting, and signage to attract customers, guide traffic, and support business operations. In contrast, residential landscaping is tailored to personal preferences, emphasising beauty, comfort, and recreational use for homeowners.
The key difference between commercial landscaping and residential landscaping lies in their purpose and scale. For example, you might choose to use stronger pavers, wider walkways, or stone benches in a commercial landscape, whilst for your own home, you would look into thinner walkways, softer stones, and seating that suits your personal preferences.
Creating Impact with Commercial Landscaping
Attract and Engage Customers
It may sound obvious, but it needs to be said: having an attractive landscape grabs attention and draws clients in. Colourful planters and unique hardscapes, such as a feature retaining wall, can help you stand out. Paying attention to seasonal landscaping keeps your property appealing year-round.
With great design, your landscape can even encourage customers to engage more with your business. Comfortable and attractive seating areas can encourage customers to sit and linger, especially for hospitality venues. Shade structures, particularly in parking areas, enhance comfort, encouraging customers to visit your business more often and for longer periods of time.
Convey Your Brand Message
Did you know that your choice in landscape design can showcase your brand identity before customers even step into your business?
For example, elements such as a meditation garden, koi pond, or stone pavers promote a Zen or serene atmosphere. Comparatively, having colourful flower beds and dancing fountains add a playful and engaging touch. Native plants demonstrates sustainability, whilst using minimalist, geometric designs and plants help create a modern and innovative look.
Direct Customer Traffic Flow
Strategic landscaping can guide traffic within your property. Use hardscape structures to highlight entrances and direct visitors to key areas. Well-defined paths lined with plants and strategic lighting can enhance navigation and add visual appeal.
Accentuate Your Building’s Architecture and Interior Design
A well-planned landscape design can greatly complement your building’s architecture. Trees and taller shrubs and bushes that frame your building and colourful plants that line essential pathways can create a striking visual impact. Indoor plants, such as green walls, helps extend the outdoor beauty indoors, adding drama to atriums and courtyards and creating continuity as customers travel through your business.
Become Sustainable
Sustainability is increasingly important to consumers. Use eco-friendly materials such as recycled concrete, and install smart irrigation systems to conserve water. Drought-tolerant plants and permeable pavers can reduce water use and stormwater runoff.
Choosing certain sustainable options might even qualify you for government rebates!
Promote Your Business
Your outdoor space can be a powerful marketing tool. Use brand colours in plants and hardscapes, and incorporate your logo into features like water installations. These elements enhance brand recognition and promote your business to potential customers.
Choose the Right Landscape Design!
Knowing which type of landscape will suit your business best is essential to maximising its impact on boosting your business.
Although there are as many styles of landscape designs as there are colours in the rainbow, here are the four main design categories:
Formal Landscapes: Defined by symmetrical designs and geometric shapes, formal landscapes convey sophistication and order, and are ideal for businesses aiming for a refined image. Think European castles and British manors, with neatly trimmed hedges, angular pavers, and balanced spaces.
Natural Landscapes: Mimicking untouched nature with varied vegetation and water features, these landscapes offer a tranquil setting suitable for businesses promoting relaxation and wellness. Many Zen gardens are in this style.
Contemporary Landscapes: Marked by modern designs with clean lines and geometric forms, contemporary landscapes reflect innovation and progress, aligning with forward-thinking businesses. Materials found in many contemporary landscapes are clean concrete slabs and wooden features and accents.
Traditional Landscapes: Featuring abundantly flowering plants and natural stone elements, traditional landscapes evoke a sense of dependability and timelessness, appealing to businesses wanting to project reliability. Traditional and modern landscapes share many elements, but traditional landscapes embrace natural shapes more than the neatly maintained shapes of modern landscapes.
Tips To Make Your Commercial Landscape Thrive
Start with a Comprehensive Site Analysis
Without knowing what sort of environment you’re dealing with, it is almost impossible to plan an effective landscape that will survive and thrive.
Conducting a comprehensive site analysis will give you the information you need. From evaluating the topography, soil properties, sun exposure, and drainage patterns of the property, a site analysis will help you determine the types of plants and landscape features that would be suitable for your commercial property.
Consider how you want your customers to interact with your landscape
Are you creating a landscape that is mainly for aesthetics, or do you want people to physically enter and interact with the space? Will the landscape be used regularly in short periods of time by employees and clients, or will it be used for events such as weddings or corporate functions?
The answers to these questions will determine the overall design of your landscape. If you want a primarily aesthetic landscape, consider incorporating eye-catching features such as sculptures, tiered gardens, or architectural retaining walls that add interest. If your space needs to be functional, consider how much space you will need for tables, chairs, or tents and marquees.
Do it right once, and save time on maintenance
There will always be an element of maintenance in a commercial landscape. Hedges have to be trimmed, lawns have to be mowed, and flowers have to be pruned.
However, making the right choices at the beginning can reduce the amount of ongoing maintenance you need.
Reduce the amount of work required by choosing low-maintenance plants that do not quire a lot of water or pruning. The best choices for these are native plants as they are the hardiest and need the least amount of care to survive. Incorporate mulch beds to cut down on mowing and weeding time. Install smart water-saving irrigation systems that will save you time, effort, and money in watering your landscape.
Now you know the secret! A well-maintained commercial landscape is extremely valuable in enhancing your business’s image, boosting property value, and providing a welcoming environment for clients and employees. From planning the design to implementing maintenance practices, every aspect of commercial landscaping plays an important role in achieving these benefits.
With a comprehensive understanding of the importance of commercial landscaping, you can make informed decisions about the design, installation, and regular maintenance of your landscape.
Star PM is here to support you every step of the way, providing expert advice and services tailored to your needs. Contact us today.