Apartment Landscaping

The rental market is very competitive. Many Millennials opt to rent instead of buying homes and spend exponentially more on them than previous generations. Keeping up with the demand for complete and unique amenities is top of mind for many complexes. 

Landscaping for apartment buildings should not be overlooked and could be the difference between vacant apartments and fully leased buildings. From pool landscaping to dog-friendly areas and outdoor workspaces, exciting and valuable apartment yard ideas can be desirable features when deciding where to live. 

Apartment Landscape Design

Many apartment complex landscaping ideas start with a simple courtyard, maybe a few flower pots, and perhaps some grass mowed regularly. These are good starts but won’t set a building apart from any others. However, incorporating common spaces creatively into apartment landscaping can be an effective way to increase the value of your living community.

Inviting Entrances

First impressions matter, even when it’s just an apartment complex tour with a prospective resident. A beautiful, well-lit, and well-planned entrance can change the whole initial vibe of your property. The suitable trees and strategically planted shrubbery will provide shade and even muffle the sound of busy streets. Common entrances are every tenant’s front door. Adding thoughtful apartment landscaping near exits and entries adds value and increases curb appeal.

Benches, attractive signage, precise building numbers for deliveries, and of course, safe and secure doorways can all add to the entrance’s attraction. Well-maintained pathways lined with shrubs and flowers can also be more effective and appealing than “Keep Off the Grass” signs, guiding your residents and visitors to follow the walkways. 

Creative Common Areas

You may want to add amenities not just for your residents but also for your furry tenants when considering landscaping for apartment buildings. Consider adding a designated dog park or dog run, where the resident dogs can be off-leash (if your city allows this), and residents can get to know each other. Be sure to include waste receptacles and bags and plenty of nighttime lighting to allow for those midnight potty breaks. 

Suppose a large number of your tenants are dog owners. In that case, additional apartment yard ideas include dog wash stations, multiple dog-friendly common spaces, communal water features for drinking and enjoying on hot days, and don’t forget humankind’s best friend needs shade too! A professional apartment landscape service can even custom-build obstacles for dogs to exercise. 

Many apartment complexes have paved areas with grills, fire pits, and even outdoor activities like yard games. Grills are often not allowed on balconies as they can be a fire hazard for smaller spaces. Outdoor kitchens and grills throughout the property give residents a fun way to enjoy the outdoors with their family and friends, taking away one of the drawbacks of apartment living- limited space.

Take your common spaces to the next level and install water features like ponds and fountains. The sound and sight of water create a calming ambiance for residents to enjoy. Residents will want to enjoy the changing leaves or warm sunshine and flowers. The area will attract birds, and butterflies will flock to the surrounding flora. 

Provide lots of shaded areas in your apartment landscaping, and consider adding electrical outlets near tables for those who work from home. Mimicking the many offices providing alternative workspaces could be a selling point to new residents who desire a change of scenery throughout their workday. 

Poolside apartment landscaping can create an oasis even in the middle of a city. Buffering the sound and sight of city streets is imperative for residents to use and enjoy the amenities provided. Plenty of chairs, tables, and umbrellas surrounded by lush greenery and bright flowers will create the ideal outdoor escape. 

Consider the cooler months when brainstorming landscape ideas for apartment buildings. Fire pits are very popular, and there are dozens of sizes and types of electric options. Grilling and sitting by the fire are activities you can enjoy even when the weather is too chilly for the pool, or the sun has gone down.

Another apartment landscaping feature that has become more popular is the incorporation of community gardens. Giving residents a valuable and sustainable resource could be the amenity that sets your complex apart from the rest. Consider alternatives to concrete features, and don’t underestimate the difference a little bit of mulch can make.

Apartment landscape design doesn’t end at trees- seating, ambiance, and creating an overall outdoor space will add value charm and hopefully get lots of use as your tenants get to know one another and enjoy the area. Building community is a great way to increase resident retention. 

Safety

Balancing too much landscaping for apartment buildings with the right amount is a matter of safety. Too many trees can be a hazard, but not enough can appear sparse and provide little privacy. Lighting is one of the most critical safety features you can consider when initially planning your apartment landscape design. Pathways should be clear, easily marked, and well-lit, but also think about where your tenants may park or walk their dogs when it’s dark outside. Provide ample lighting and safe walkways to make residents feel comfortable moving about the property at any time. 

Apartment Patio Landscaping Ideas

If you’re lucky enough to lease an apartment with outdoor space on a balcony or patio, you’ve probably wondered how to utilize the space to increase comfort and privacy without making any permanent changes. Of course, many apartment complexes have significant common areas, but it is nice to enjoy your own private outdoor space. 

Expanded Living Space

No matter your square footage, expanding your living space is always an enticing idea. Comfortable and weatherproof furniture is an obvious addition, but what about greenery and lighting for apartment patio landscaping ideas? 

One way of maximizing your outdoor space while adding thoughtful apartment landscaping is to take advantage of height. Open shelving with lots of plants and flowers, or even an herb wall, can be a great way to add visual interest and relaxation. Likewise, taller, leafier trees can anchor the confines of open patio space, along with temporary walls and dividers. 

A flower box or hanging plant can brighten even the smallest balcony. Herbs are easy to maintain, fragrant, and a fun hobby to take on for home cooks. 

Outdoor lighting like you have probably enjoyed while dining al fresco at a cafe is available online or at your local hardware store and is easy to install. Solar lights are an eco-friendly option, and many designs work on timers, adding safety features. 

Added Privacy

Incorporating apartment patio landscaping ideas into your outdoor living space can add much-needed privacy. Many apartment complex landscaping ideas take privacy into account for the ground level of living, but not always, and often not for floors two and above. Additional privacy to enjoy your patio peacefully can be provided with some innovative temporary apartment landscaping. 

Privacy screens are an inexpensive and temporary way to add privacy to your outdoor living space. They come in all sizes and colors, and natural wood screens are a beautiful way to add climbing greenery to your area. 

No Green Thumb? No Problem.

Planting and maintaining the right trees, shrubbery, and flowers can be a daunting task. Larger living communities with lots of outdoor space would benefit significantly from hiring an apartment landscape service. Landscaping for apartment buildings can add up quickly, and it would be wasteful and potentially harmful to the environment to bring non-native or invasive plants onto your community grounds. 

Not sure the difference between perennials and annuals? Will your plants wither from too much sunlight, and does your lawn have proper irrigation? How can you tell the difference between a weed and a wildflower? Landscaping for apartment buildings is no small project, especially when considering permanent outdoor features. These questions and more can be answered by professionals who handle not only private residences but also apartment landscaping, which to stand out takes more than keeping tidy grounds.

Landscaping services for apartment complexes will keep the complex looking beautiful while maintaining sidewalks and other paved areas safe and up to code. Whether it is a one-time initial apartment landscaping project or a weekly visit to keep a beautiful outdoors, an apartment landscape service will professionally handle all of your outdoor needs.