Everybody thinks about flowers out front as a way to spruce up a commercial property. Still, when it comes to attracting attention, increasing customers, and boosting positive perception, you have to think bigger.
You want to celebrate every season and keep your property looking sharp all year. You want to invest in commercial landscaping trends like these:
- Sustainable and Low-Maintenance Landscaping
- Outdoor Work and Social Spaces
- Biodiversity & Pollinator-Friendly Design
- Year-Round Visual Interest
- Technology-Integrated Landscapes
- Wellness & Biophilic Design
- Climate-Resilient Design
Get ready for some great tips and landscape design trends you can lean on to improve your Greater Chicago commercial facility’s local influence.
7 Commercial Landscape Ideas For Greater Chicago Properties
Greater Chicagoans always look forward to warmer weather after a long, cold winter.
We get it. We all crave spring after the weight of winter has taken its toll. And as a commercial property manager, you have a chance to give customers what they want with landscaping for commercial facilities that rise to the occasion.
Are you stumped on what you can do? Try one of these ideas.
1. Sustainable and Low-Maintenance Landscaping
One of the biggest commercial landscaping trends is the shift toward sustainable and low-maintenance landscaping, driven by environmental concerns and cost efficiency.
Businesses increasingly opt for native and drought-resistant plants that require less water and upkeep, reducing long-term maintenance expenses.
Permeable pavers, recycled mulch, and bioretention systems are also gaining popularity as they help manage stormwater runoff and minimize water waste.
Additionally, the use of smart irrigation systems and sensor-based watering optimizes efficiency.
2. Outdoor Work and Social Spaces
Another growing commercial landscaping trend is integrating outdoor work and social spaces, designed to enhance employee well-being and customer experience.
Businesses invest in shaded structures like pergolas, tree canopies, and shade sails to create comfortable, inviting environments that encourage people to gather, work, or relax outside. These spaces are increasingly Wi-Fi-enabled, allowing employees to take meetings or work remotely in a refreshing, natural setting.
Whether it's a corporate campus, retail plaza, or hospitality venue, incorporating functional outdoor areas boosts productivity and engagement and adds to a property’s overall aesthetic and value.
3. Biodiversity & Pollinator-Friendly Design
A major commercial landscape idea is the shift toward biodiversity and pollinator-friendly designs, which create healthier ecosystems while reducing maintenance costs.
Meadow plantings are becoming a popular alternative that minimizes mowing needs while providing habitat for birds, bees, and other wildlife. Bee and butterfly gardens enhance a property’s environmental impact and add vibrant color and seasonal interest, making spaces more inviting for visitors and employees.
Also, living walls and green roofs are incorporated into urban landscapes to improve air quality, provide insulation, and reduce stormwater runoff.
These eco-friendly features support sustainability goals while offering a visually striking and functional landscape design.
4. Year-Round Visual Interest
Year-round visual interest is another landscape design trend that Greater Chicago commercial properties embrace.
Four-season plantings, including evergreens, ornamental grasses, and winter berry-producing shrubs, provide texture and color even in colder months, keeping landscapes vibrant year-round.
To extend usability into the evening, dynamic lighting, such as energy-efficient LED fixtures and solar-powered pathway lights, enhances ambiance while improving safety.
Additionally, artistic hardscapes like statement sculptures, water features, and modern paving patterns add a unique, high-end aesthetic that elevates a property’s overall appeal.
5. Technology-Integrated Landscapes
Technology-integrated landscapes are revolutionizing commercial properties by combining efficiency with sustainability.
Automated maintenance solutions, such as robotic mowers and smart irrigation systems, significantly reduce labor costs while ensuring consistent upkeep.
Meanwhile, commercial landscape amenities like lighting and signage integration using LED fixtures and app-controlled systems enhance energy efficiency, security, and aesthetic appeal, allowing businesses to adjust settings remotely.
Data-driven maintenance is also gaining traction, with advanced sensors monitoring soil moisture and plant health in real-time, enabling precise watering and fertilization.
6. Wellness & Biophilic Design
The rise of wellness and biophilic design in commercial landscape design reflects a growing focus on creating environments that promote health, relaxation, and connection with nature.
Walking paths and fitness trails encourage physical activity, making outdoor spaces more engaging for employees, customers, and visitors. Sensory gardens enhance these landscapes by incorporating plants with diverse textures, soothing fragrances, and calming natural sounds, providing a multi-sensory experience that reduces stress and improves well-being.
Meanwhile, water features, such as fountains, ponds, and cascading waterfalls, add an element of tranquility while elevating the overall aesthetic appeal.
7. Climate-Resilient Design
Climate-resilient design is a growing priority in landscaping for commercial facilities, helping businesses adapt to extreme weather while promoting sustainability.
Stormwater management features like rain gardens and bioswales are becoming essential to help filter pollutants, reduce runoff, and prevent flooding.
To combat rising temperatures, heat-mitigating solutions such as green roofs, reflective surfaces, and dense tree canopies are being incorporated to cool urban spaces and lower energy costs.
Additionally, windbreaks and shelterbelts, or strategically placed rows of trees and shrubs, improve energy efficiency by reducing wind impact on buildings, cutting heating and cooling expenses.
Property-Specific Commercial Landscape Ideas
Are there different commercial landscaping trends for different property types? Yes. You can adapt to these trends based on your specific needs.
For instance, you want to enhance customer experience and improve curb appeal for retail centers. The goal is to create a welcoming, visually appealing, and functional site that drives foot traffic and improves customer experience, such as:
- Vibrant and seasonal plantings – Bright, eye-catching displays with year-round interest.
- Pedestrian-friendly design – Shaded walkways, outdoor seating, and gathering spaces.
Placemaking features – Water fountains, public art, and branded landscapes to create an inviting atmosphere. - Pollinator and green spaces – Small garden beds and tree canopies to soften the hardscape-heavy environment.
- Sustainable irrigation – Smart watering systems reduce costs and keep landscapes lush.
- Nighttime ambiance – Decorative, LED lighting enhances safety and aesthetics.
For other property types like massive industrial facilities, you’re looking for functionality, security, and sustainability. These properties need low-maintenance, durable, and secure landscapes that include ideas like:
Drought-resistant and low-maintenance plantings – Native grasses, hardy perennials, and no-mow zones.
Stormwater management – Bioswales, retention ponds, and permeable surfaces to reduce runoff.
Windbreaks and sound buffers – Tree belts or berms to mitigate noise and wind exposure.
Large-scale shade canopies – Trees near employee break areas for heat mitigation.
Minimal hardscape and high-durability design – Simple, functional pathways and reinforced turf for heavy traffic areas.
Security and perimeter landscaping – Clear sightlines with controlled plant height to enhance visibility and safety.
Planting Trends to Watch For
In the native and drought-tolerant plant commercial landscaping trend, the key is to choose pollinator-friendly options to support biodiversity.
Additionally, there are some other key softscape ideas that Greater Chicago commercial facilities are embracing.
Bold, seasonal color, for instance, will never go out of style. Opt for deep greens, burgundies, and golds with layered plantings. Multi-seasonal interest can create dynamic visuals.
Edible and functional landscaping is also appealing. Chase this trend by incorporating fruit trees, herb gardens, and vegetable beds. This can engage the community and align with farm-to-table values.
Large-scale, climate-resilient trees can assist with urban cooling, offering long-term benefits.
Ornamental grasses and prairie-inspired plantings can add texture and movement to commercial sites. In contrast, green infrastructure plantings like bioswales, rain gardens, living walls, and rooftop plantings can help manage stormwater, improve air quality, and reduce heat islands.
Next Steps: What To Do (& What Not To Do)
The process can feel overwhelming now that you have a list of commercial landscaping trends to fuel your ideas for the year.
Let’s start with what you should do moving forward to target the right ideas to your Greater Chicago facility.
First, prioritize functionality. This ensures clear traffic flow and pedestrian access.
Next, use native and low-maintenance plants and plan for year-round interest. This will reduce water use, cut costs, and give you seasonal blooms.
Incorporating stormwater management can boost sustainability and help better manage water. Smart irrigation and lighting investments will also help in this area.
Then, design inviting outdoor spaces that add seating and shade. Choose durable materials and adaptable layouts to consider future growth and maintenance needs.
What shouldn't you do? Don’t neglect walkability and accessibility. Don’t skip seasonal maintenance planning. Don’t overlook energy efficiency. Don’t ignore your site conditions, overcomplicate your plant selections, or go too big on hardscapes.
And never underestimate your budget and longevity – using cheap materials and poor planning, for instance, will only lead to long-term expense increases.
Make Smart Choices As You Improve Your Landscaping for Commercial Facilities in Greater Chicago
Ready to transform your Greater Chicago commercial landscape with some powerful commercial landscape amenities?
The experts at KD Landscape love designing and installing landscapes that elevate the entire property and make everybody happy.
We start by defining goals and your site’s functionality. This involves identifying the property’s purpose, key needs, and zoning requirements.
Next, we assess site conditions and plan circulation and accessibility by analyzing soil, drainage, sun exposure, topography, roads, parking, walkways, and ADA-compliant access.
Then, we incorporate hardscaping, such as plazas, patios, retaining walls, and permeable surfaces, along with integrating green infrastructure, such as native plants, stormwater solutions, and tree canopies.
We’ll add seating, shade, bright lighting, and branding elements to enhance your commercial site.
Finally, we ensure long-term sustainability with low-maintenance plants, growth plans, and seasonal upkeep implementation.
The result will be a commercial facility that draws customers and is beloved by locals for its fresh, relevant focus and seasonal interest.
Want to learn more about our commercial landscape design and maintenance in Greater Chicago? Get started today with a free quote. We’ll review your options together so you can make a great choice.
