As a Greater Chicago area property manager, you want your commercial property to have curb appeal and look good.

Thick, green grass, nicely shaped trees and shrubs, colorful containers at entranceways and key focal points, tidy landscape beds, and clean and smooth pathways that get your visitors from A to B without delay or hazard are all things to aim for.

While you want a nice-looking commercial landscape – who wouldn’t? – you also want to save money and stay within your budget.


We understand that. As a property manager in Greater Chicago, you’re likely weighing different ways to enhance your property with cost-effective landscaping solutions.

Budget-friendly commercial landscaping is possible by following these cost-saving landscaping tips. Let’s look at some ideas that enable you to have a great-looking commercial property while keeping costs in check.

Commercial Property Enhancements That Make a Big Difference with Minimal Dollars

Sometimes, you need a simple solution to elevate your commercial property, but you might not know where to start.

Read Our Guide to Year-Round Commercial Landscaping

It’s important to focus on commercial landscape enhancements in specific areas so that your commercial site gets just what it needs to increase your community's visibility and perception.

Let’s talk about some ideal affordable commercial landscaping ideas.

Focus on Your Priorities

What was important for your Greater Chicago commercial property last year may not be the same this year. And that makes sense. Your landscape grows and changes, and that means your priorities will change.

For instance, maybe you needed to focus on improving your lawn areas before and now are thriving, so they don’t require as much dedicated attention. Or possibly you invested in or upgraded your irrigation system to ensure it covers your landscape better and reduces your water bills.

commercial maintenance crew installing lawn straw blanket to new seed

When you invest in certain priorities one year to make improvements on your commercial facility, it tends to lower your maintenance budget the next year.

Consider focusing on a necessary smart landscape investment you might need as a place to focus your dollars – anything from irritation upgrades to plant health care to plant installations to soil care or lawn improvements – and reap the benefits of lower costs for years to come.

Be Strategic

When it comes to enhancing commercial properties on a budget, you want to focus your dollars each year on a project that improves your facility’s appearance, functionality, and safety.

The right enhancements can improve your commercial property’s value. The goal is to focus on those enhancements that truly provide you with a return on investment.

If you spruce up an entrance, for example, you create more attention at your front-facing facility focal point and can naturally attract more visitors, tenants, and guests.

Commercial Property Manager? Check Out Our Ultimate Guide to Landscape  Maintenance

If you create social spaces with ambiance, water features, plants, and lighting, you create places for people to enjoy and linger, leading them to choose your shopping center, office park, or HOA over others.

Invest in strategic enhancements to elevate your site aesthetics and boost interest.

Freshen Your Commercial Landscape With Color

Adding colorful, seasonal flowers is an affordable commercial landscaping idea that can add a wow factor to your Greater Chicago commercial property.

commercial HOA annual flower planting container border plants nice

Implementing an annual flower rotation or adding colorful perennials in key locations can make a big difference. Changing the color scheme seasonally keeps things interesting.

Target these pops of color near entrances, signage, and outdoor seating areas for the most impact on a budget.

Plant Trees or Properly Prune Existing Trees

Sometimes, stretching the landscaping budget means focusing on a plant that can bring much value in one punch. Trees can do just that.

Adding trees to certain areas—like outdoor seating areas, for instance—can provide shade and beauty that cannot be beaten.

If you already have some great trees, properly fertilizing and pruning them can ensure they remain healthy and last a long time, adding benefits to your commercial site.

Add a New Outdoor Space

Some places like HOAs, retail centers, and office parks benefit from more outdoor gathering areas.

Adding an area like this to host events or welcome people can ensure your commercial property is more competitive in your region.

commercial HOA nice gate pool flower border planting beds

These budget-friendly commercial landscaping enhancements can be as simple as clearing an area to make room for a large turf space or adding landscape beds, benches, and trees to create an outside nook.

Your commercial landscape designer can help you determine what makes the most sense for your site based on how you want to use the space and how you can do this inexpensively.

Work with a Professional to Find the Best Cost-Saving Landscaping Tips in Greater Chicago

We hope these affordable commercial landscaping ideas give you some things to consider as you plan the coming year for your Greater Chicago commercial facility.

We understand that you want to understand how to invest more effectively in your commercial landscape, making a smart choice that benefits your property.

commercial HOA account manager and property manager customer reviewing inspecting a property 49

At KD Landscape, we are always here to support your commercial landscaping endeavors, giving you honest feedback and information to help you make the best decisions.

By choosing a commercial grounds maintenance company you can count on to be your guide in the process, you can look like a property management star, and your property can reap the benefits of a polished appearance that best meets the needs of its visitors and guests.

Want a Greater Chicago commercial property that has great curb appeal? Request a proposal today. Together, we can help your grounds look amazing while also providing great areas for function and usability.

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