Chicago Landscaping Ideas
Get ideas for your property from these Chicago landscapes
Transform Your Patio into Entertaining Central
Wouldn’t it be great to have a large space to entertain all your family and friends in one place? If your home doesn’t seem to have the space you need, why not try outdoors? That’s what these homeowners in a suburb north of Chicago did in their backyard. A spacious flagstone patio provides ample space for many people to gather. The space has enough patio furniture to accommodate 12 people, but seatwalls around the edges of the space provide lots of extra seating. The focal point of this design is the large wood-burning fireplace, which is great for extending the time that can be spent outdoors into the cooler seasons. Opposite the fireplace are two large grills that will make quick work of feeding many hungry mouths at once.
See more outdoor fireplace styles
Romani Landscape Architecture
Glencoe, IL
Use Multiple Paving Materials
Just as you might use different flooring materials inside to designate a transition between rooms; you can use different paving materials to a similar effect outdoors. This property near Arlington Heights is a prime example of how this can be done. Starting in the foreground there are bluestone pavers with groundcover in between, these lead to a brick patio which then steps up a level to a circular bluestone landing. While only two paving materials are in use here, the way in which they are used varies to signify a new space. It is best to use materials with high contrast so that the effect is obviously intentional.
Compare to find an interesting combination
Milieu Design
Wheeling, IL
Design Around a Pool
Whether you already have a pool or want to have one installed, consider making it the center point of your backyard. This suburban backyard is all about the pool, but has many other features that top it off. The pool itself has a simple rectangular design, but a specialty waterfall spills over from the pergola while deck jets shoot out arched streams of water that add even more interest. There is also a waterslide for the kids. Two fire bowls mark the entrance to the pool space and an outdoor fireplace draws the eye across the pool. Lighting, patio furniture and plants complete the design.
Check out more custom backyard pools
County Wide Landscaping
Elburn, IL
Keep Your Beds Well-Maintained
When it comes to being a good neighbor, keeping your front yard planting beds maintained is essential. Well-kept beds show pride in your home and help the neighborhood look better as a whole. Basic bed maintenance includes seasonal edging, weeding and trimming when necessary and removing any debris as it appears. Putting down a nice layer of mulch will make your beds appear finished and tidy, protect your plants’ roots and help prevent weeds. If this sounds like more than you bargained for, consider hiring a maintenance crew to take care of the work for you every few weeks.
Learn more about maintaining landscape beds
Grant & Power Landscaping
West Chicago, IL
Conceal an Above Ground Hot Tub
A manufactured hot tub is not the most attractive addition to a backyard, however, they can be more affordable than their in-ground counterparts. Here is an ingenious idea for upgrading the look of an above ground spa. Pick a good location for the hot tub and then build a surround out of stone, brick or another material that coordinates with your home. You’ll get a custom look without excavation and added costs. This particular spa was also built with accessibility in mind. A raised spa is much easier to enter than one that is down at ground level.
Check out another project that conceals a backyard hot tub
Romani Landscape Architecture
Glencoe, IL
Chicago Landscaping
Illinois Landscaping
Backyard Retreats
