How much does landscaping cost?

By scope: basic front yard: $3,000-$15,000. Basic backyard: $5,000-$50,000+. Full property: $10,000-$100,000+. Rule of thumb: budget 5-10% of your home value for comprehensive landscaping. A $300,000 home: $15,000-$30,000. Ongoing maintenance: $100-$300/month (lawn care, seasonal plants, cleanup). ROI: well-designed landscaping adds 5-12% to home value. Front yard curb appeal projects have the highest return.

What is the difference between hardscaping and softscaping?

Hardscaping: non-living elements. Patios, walkways, retaining walls, fences, pergolas, fire pits, outdoor kitchens, water features, driveways. More expensive upfront. Low maintenance. Permanent or semi-permanent. Softscaping: living elements. Trees, shrubs, flowers, grass, ground cover, mulch, soil. Lower upfront cost (but ongoing maintenance). Changes with seasons and grows over time. Needs water, fertilizer, pruning. The balance: most landscapes need both. Start with hardscaping (the bones of the design), then add softscaping (the flesh). A common split: 40-60% hardscape, 40-60% softscape of total budget.

How do I landscape on a budget?

Phase 1 (under $500): clean up existing beds, add fresh mulch ($30-$100/cubic yard). Plant a few anchor shrubs ($15-$50 each). Edge beds for a clean look (free with a spade). Add a few annuals for color ($3-$5 each). Phase 2 ($500-$2,000): install a simple paver walkway or stepping stones. Plant 1-2 ornamental trees ($50-$200 each). Create a new flower bed. Add landscape lighting (solar: $3-$10 each). Phase 3 ($2,000-$5,000): build a small patio. Install an irrigation system (drip for beds). Add a fence section for privacy. Plant a privacy hedge. Money-saving tips: buy smaller plants (they grow). Start from seed where possible. Shop end-of-season plant sales (50-75% off). Do your own labor. Use native plants (less water, less maintenance). Mulch instead of decorative stone (cheaper, better for plants).

When is the best time to landscape?

Spring (March-May): best for most planting (trees, shrubs, perennials). Soil is workable and moist. Plants have the full growing season to establish. Fall (September-November): second best for planting. Cooler temps reduce transplant stress. Root growth continues through fall. Trees and shrubs often on sale. Summer: avoid major planting (heat stress). Good for hardscape projects (dry weather). Water new plantings heavily. Winter: plan and design season. Get quotes from contractors (off-season discounts). Order materials. Hardscape timing: spring through fall for most projects. Concrete and masonry: avoid freezing temperatures.

Article

Outdoor Living

Landscape Design Guide: Ideas, Cost & Planning

Lumberama Editorial Team, Landscape Design & Outdoor Living Specialists Nov 8, 2026 10 min read

Landscape Design Elements

Softscaping (plants and organic): Trees: shade, ornamental, fruit, and evergreen. Shrubs and hedges: foundation plantings, privacy screens. Perennials and annuals: flower beds, color, and seasonal interest. Ground cover: lawn alternatives, erosion control. Mulch and soil amendments: beds, paths, and tree rings.

Hardscaping (structures and surfaces): Patios and decks: outdoor living and dining areas. Walkways and paths: connect spaces, direct traffic. Retaining walls: manage slopes, create terraced gardens. Driveways: concrete, asphalt, pavers, gravel. Fences and gates: privacy, security, boundary. Water features: fountains, ponds, waterfalls. Fire features: fire pits, fireplaces, chimineas. Outdoor kitchens and living rooms.

Utility and infrastructure: Irrigation systems: sprinklers, drip irrigation. Drainage: French drains, grading, dry wells. Landscape lighting: path lights, uplights, string lights. Outdoor electrical: outlets, speaker wiring.

Cost

By project type: Basic lawn and garden maintenance: $100-$300/month. Front yard landscaping (new): $3,000-$15,000. Backyard landscaping (new): $5,000-$50,000+. Full property landscaping: $10,000-$100,000+.

Individual elements: Lawn installation (sod, 1,000 sq ft): $1,000-$3,000. Lawn installation (seed, 1,000 sq ft): $400-$1,000. Tree planting (per tree): $150-$3,000 (size dependent). Shrubs (per shrub, installed): $25-$200. Flower beds (per 100 sq ft): $500-$3,000. Mulch (per cubic yard, installed): $30-$100. Patio (per sq ft): $10-$50. Walkway (per linear ft): $15-$50. Retaining wall (per sq ft of face): $20-$75. Fence (per linear ft): $15-$75. Irrigation system: $2,500-$5,000. Landscape lighting: $2,000-$5,000.

Professional design: Landscape designer: $500-$2,000 (design only). Landscape architect: $2,000-$10,000 (full plans). Design-build firms: often include design fee in project cost.

Planning

Design principles: Unity: consistent style and theme throughout. Balance: visual weight distributed evenly. Proportion: plants and features sized appropriately for the space. Focal points: draw the eye with statement trees, features, or structures. Flow: logical paths and transitions between spaces.

Steps: 1. Assess your property (sun, shade, soil, drainage, existing features). 2. Define your goals (entertaining, play area, privacy, curb appeal). 3. Set a budget (rule of thumb: 5-10% of home value for full landscaping). 4. Create a plan (hire a designer or use free landscape design software). 5. Phase the work (tackle one area at a time if budget is limited). 6. Hardscape first, then softscape (build structures before planting). 7. Plant large items first (trees and large shrubs), then fill in.