Top Landscape Design in Joliet, Illinois Ranked

Transforming your outdoor space in Joliet into a beautiful, functional extension of your home begins with thoughtful landscape design. This process involves much more than just planting flowers; it's the artful planning of your property's layout, plantings, and structures to create harmony, balance, and purpose. A well-designed landscape can enhance your home's curb appeal, create dedicated areas for relaxation and entertainment, and increase your property's value. For homeowners in Joliet, navigating local climate conditions and aesthetic preferences is key. This guide will help you understand the core concepts, popular styles, and practical considerations for outdoor living in the area, empowering you to connect with the right local expertise to bring your vision to life.

Ross & Jack's Landscaping Inc

chicago

Ross & Jack's Landscaping Inc is a family-owned landscaping company based in Elmhurst, Illinois, serving Chicago and surrounding towns. Since 1975, they have offered comprehensive landscaping services including landscape design, installation, grounds maintenance, lawn care, sod installation, drainage solutions, and hardscaping such as retaining walls and brick paving. Their expertise includes digital landscape design layouts to help clients visualize projects before installation, as well as specialized drainage solutions like dry wells to manage water issues effectively. The company focuses on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living spaces that enhance property value.

5.0

157 Reviews

Paul's Outdoor Living

chicago

Paul's Outdoor Living is a landscape design and landscaping company based in Chicago, IL. They create outdoor spaces that combine beauty with durability, focusing on low-maintenance and no-maintenance landscaping solutions. Their work emphasizes detailed design and craftsmanship to meet the needs of homeowners seeking stylish and practical outdoor environments.

5.0

124 Reviews

Junior's Landscaping Inc

831 Dennis Dr, Bensenville, IL 60106

Junior's Landscaping Inc is a landscaping and hardscaping company based in Chicago, IL. They provide services including landscape design, lawn seeding and blanketing, spring cleanup with mulching, and the installation of paver patios and retaining walls. The team handles project permitting and cleanup, ensuring a smooth process from design to completion. Junior's Landscaping Inc is known for transforming outdoor spaces to enhance curb appeal and functionality.

5.0

98 Reviews

Distinct Outdoor Living LLC

205 E Butterfield Rd #136, Elmhurst, IL 60126

Distinct Outdoor Living LLC is a landscaping company based in Chicago, IL, offering a range of services including lawn mowing, lawn care, landscape design, tree removal, stump grinding, land clearing, and brush removal. The company emphasizes a design-first approach, with over 20 years of experience in crafting and maintaining outdoor spaces tailored to clients' needs. Their owner is actively involved in every project from consultation to installation, ensuring personalized service. Distinct Outdoor Living also provides full-service maintenance plans to keep outdoor spaces looking their best over time.

5.0

82 Reviews

AA Landscaping Pros LLC

9045 Natoma Ave, Oak Lawn, IL 60453

AA Landscaping Pros LLC is a landscaping and lawn care company based in Oak Lawn, serving the Southwest Suburbs of Chicago, including areas like Hickory Hills, Bedford Park, and Orland Park. They provide a range of services such as lawn mowing, fertilization, weed control, yard cleanups, and landscape design for both residential and commercial clients. Their expertise includes customized landscaping solutions tailored to client needs.

5.0

80 Reviews

See more providers in Joliet, IL

Understanding Joliet's Landscape Environment

Successful garden design in Joliet starts with a deep respect for the local environment. The city experiences a classic Midwestern climate, classified as USDA Hardiness Zones 5b to 6a ¹. This means hot, humid summers and cold winters with significant frost, which directly dictates plant selection. You'll need hardy perennials, shrubs, and trees that can withstand temperature extremes. Furthermore, Joliet's soil is often clay-based or a clay-loam mix ¹. While fertile, clay soil can drain poorly, leading to waterlogged roots in spring. A professional will often recommend soil testing and amending with organic matter to improve drainage and structure, which is a critical first step for long-term plant health ².

Popular Landscape Design Styles for Joliet Homes

Your property's architecture and your personal taste will guide the style of your outdoor design. Several approaches are particularly well-suited to the Joliet area.

Classic American Curb Appeal: This timeless approach focuses on the front yard, emphasizing a manicured lawn, symmetrical foundation plantings, specimen trees for shade and structure, and evergreen accents for year-round interest ³. It's about creating a welcoming, orderly first impression that complements traditional home styles.

Zoned Backyard Living: This is one of the most popular and practical concepts for modern yards. The idea is to create distinct "garden rooms" or functional zones within your backyard ⁴. You might have a dining zone with a patio, a lounging zone with comfortable seating around a fire feature, and a play zone for children or pets. These areas are connected by pathways or transitional plantings, making the space feel larger and more organized while catering to all your family's needs ¹.

Modern & Prairie Influences: For a cleaner, more architectural look, modern landscape design utilizes geometric shapes, clean lines, and a restrained plant palette. Think ornamental grasses, sculptural shrubs, and symmetrical plantings ⁵. Alternatively, drawing inspiration from Illinois's native landscape, a Prairie style incorporates native grasses and wildflowers, promoting biodiversity and requiring less water once established ¹.

Key Elements of Outdoor Living Design

Today's residential landscaping in Joliet heavily emphasizes creating usable outdoor living spaces. Here are the key components that designers integrate:

Patios & Hardscaping: The foundation of any outdoor room. Materials like pavers, natural stone, or concrete create durable surfaces for dining and seating areas. The design and size of your patio significantly influence the project's scope and cost ¹.

Shade Solutions: With hot summers, integrated shade is essential. Options include classic wooden pergolas (often fitted with retractable canopies), modern shade sails, or the strategic planting of fast-growing shade trees ⁶.

Outdoor Kitchens & Dining: These range from simple built-in grill stations to full kitchens complete with refrigeration, sinks, and pizza ovens. They transform backyard barbecues into true culinary experiences and serve as a natural hub for gatherings ¹.

Fire Features: A fire pit or outdoor fireplace extends the usability of your yard into cooler spring and fall evenings. They provide warmth, light, and a captivating focal point for socializing ⁶.

Lighting: Professional landscape lighting is transformative. Low-voltage LED lights can illuminate pathways for safety, highlight architectural plants, and create ambiance for nighttime entertaining, making your design beautiful 24 hours a day ¹.

Entertainment & Recreation: Dedicated spaces for fun, such as putting greens, bocce courts, children's play areas, or even outdoor theater setups, tailor the yard specifically to your family's hobbies ⁶.

Principles of Effective Garden Design

Beyond individual features, great landscape architecture is guided by fundamental principles. Understanding these can help you communicate your vision and evaluate design plans.

Unity & Harmony: This is achieved by repeating plants, colors, or materials throughout the design. A cohesive plan feels intentional and restful, rather than a collection of unrelated items ⁷.

Balance: Balance can be symmetrical (mirrored on either side of a central point) or asymmetrical (achieved with different elements of equal visual weight). It creates a sense of stability in the landscape ⁷.

Proportion & Scale: The size of landscape elements should relate comfortably to each other and to your home. A tiny patio on a large lot will feel lost, while an oversized pergola can overwhelm a small house ⁷.

Rhythm & Movement: The repetition of elements and the strategic placement of focal points guide the eye through the space, creating visual interest and a sense of discovery ⁷.

Function: Perhaps the most important principle for families. Every part of the design should serve a purpose, whether it's a path for circulation, a patio for dining, or a planting bed for privacy ⁸.

Investment & Planning Considerations

The cost of a landscape design project in Joliet varies dramatically based on scope, materials, and complexity. It's helpful to think in terms of investment ranges for common elements:

• Basic Planting Beds & Mulch: $500 - $2,000 for smaller areas.
• Paver Patio: $2,000 - $10,000+, depending on size and material choice.
• Pergola or Shade Structure: $1,500 - $5,000+.
• Basic Outdoor Kitchen (grill station): $3,000 - $8,000+.
• Comprehensive Outdoor Living Area (integrating patio, kitchen, fire feature, and lighting): $10,000 - $30,000+ ^{1 6}.

A professional designer helps you prioritize these elements within your budget, often phasing the project over time. They also handle critical logistics like obtaining permits, managing drainage plans, and ensuring all construction meets local codes.

Frequently asked questions

Sources