Landscape Design Chicago for Custom Outdoor Spaces
Cityscape Landscape has been transforming Chicago yards, rooftops, and outdoor spaces since 1984. Over 40 years of design-build work in this city means we understand what Chicago lots actually look like (like the narrow gangways, the shaded parkways, the rooftop decks that take a beating from Lake Michigan wind) and how to make every square foot worth something.
If you want landscape design in Chicago from a team that plans and builds the project under one roof, you are in the right place. Below is everything you need to know about how we work, what we design, and why so many Chicago homeowners have trusted Cityscape since the company's founding on the North Side.
What Your Chicago Yard Can Become
A lot of clients come to us with some version of the same situation: an outdoor space that has potential but is not living up to it. It might be a backyard that has been ignored for years, a front yard that is mostly concrete and overgrown shrubs, or a rooftop that gets used only once a summer because it never felt finished.
After a Cityscape design-build project, those same spaces look and function completely differently. Front yards get structure, seasonal color, and curb appeal that holds up year-round. Backyards become places people actually use: for meals, for kids, for quiet mornings with coffee. Rooftop spaces turn into genuine outdoor rooms, designed with the wind exposure and drainage realities of Chicago in mind.
That shift from neglected to purposeful is what landscape design in Chicago should do. Our job is to figure out exactly how to get your yard there.
Residential Landscape Design Services
Cityscape designs and builds outdoor spaces across a wide range of residential project types.
Our work includes:
- Front yard and parkway design: curb appeal, foundation plantings, walkway layout, and street-facing structure that holds through all four Chicago seasons
- Backyard landscape design: privacy plantings, lawn areas, garden beds, naturalistic planting plans, and full backyard transformations
- Hardscape and patio design: stone patios, flagstone walks, brick pavers, retaining walls, steps, and outdoor living areas (see our hardscape installation in Chicago page for details)
- Rooftop and terrace solutions: container gardens, structural planting, wind-appropriate species selection, and rooftop outdoor living design
- Planting design: perennial and annual plant selection, seasonal interest planning, shade-tolerant options for Chicago's city lots, and native plantings where appropriate
- Drainage and grading: Chicago soil and grade challenges addressed in the design phase, not as an afterthought
- Lighting design: low-voltage landscape lighting integrated into the design plan
Every project starts with a site assessment so the design reflects your actual yard conditions, not a generic template.
Our Design-Build Process
One of the reasons clients choose Cityscape over separate design and construction firms is that everything happens under one roof. That single-source model removes the friction that happens when a landscape designer hands off plans to a crew that did not draw them.
Here is how a typical project moves from idea to finished yard:
1. Consultation
We start with a site visit and conversation about how you use your outdoor space, what you want from it, and what your realistic budget looks like. No pressure, no proposal on the first visit.
2. Concept and Design
Our design team develops a plan based on your site conditions, your goals, and our knowledge of what works in Chicago specifically. You see a concept before anything gets built.
3. Planning and Permitting
For projects that require permits, we handle the coordination. Requirements vary by project type and municipality, so we walk you through what applies to your project during the planning phase.
4. Installation
Our build crew does the installation. Because they work from our own plans, there is no translation problem between design intent and what goes in the ground.
5. Walkthrough and Follow-Up
When installation is complete, we walk through the finished project with you. We want to make sure everything matches the plan and that you understand how to care for your new plantings going forward.
For clients who want ongoing care after the build, Cityscape also offers maintenance services. Many clients find it easiest to keep the same team involved after their landscape is installed.
Landscape Architects, Designers, and Builders Working Together
Landscape design at the residential level involves a mix of skill sets. Some projects benefit from landscape architects who can address complex grading, structural elements, or permit requirements. Others are well served by experienced landscape designers working directly with an installation team.
At Cityscape, our team includes design professionals who collaborate with our build crew from day one. That collaboration is different from hiring a landscape architect separately and then putting the plans out to bid with a contractor. When the people who design a project also oversee its installation, details do not get lost between conversations.
If you are comparing landscape designers in Chicago and trying to figure out what kind of firm fits your project, the most useful question is usually: who is building what the designer draws? At Cityscape, the answer is always us.
Why Chicago Homeowners Choose Cityscape
Here is why many homeowners on the North Side and beyond have worked with Cityscape among landscaping companies in Chicago:
- In business since 1984. Family-owned and Chicago-rooted for over 40 years. We know this city's soil, its microclimates, and its neighborhoods.
- Single-source accountability. One team designs, builds, and can maintain your outdoor space. No miscommunication between firms, no finger-pointing if something needs revisiting.
- Designed for Chicago lots. City yards have real constraints: access limitations, grade issues, shared fences, utility lines, and shade from neighboring buildings. Our designs work with those realities, not around them.
- Recognized quality. 4.6-star Google rating and Best of Houzz 2018.
- Materials built to last. We specify durable hardscape materials and drainage-aware planting plans so the work holds up through Chicago winters and wet springs.
- We are also a local neighbor. Cityscape is based at 1540 West Wabansia Avenue in the Bucktown neighborhood. You can reach us directly at (773) 342-4009.
Our Chicago landscaping service area covers neighborhoods across the North Side and beyond, including Bucktown, Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, North Center, Roscoe Village, Andersonville, Ravenswood, and Logan Square. If you are outside those areas, get in touch, and we will let you know if we can serve your project.
What Our Customers Are Saying
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We had a great experience from start to finish. Tim was wonderful to work with from design to install. He was patient with all of my questions and offered his honest feedback on design. The team who did the install were on time, professional, hard-working and followed the plan exactly. We interviewed several places before making a decision. We would recommend Cityscape.
- Eric England (via Google)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We had Cityscape help design and redo our yard. We were very pleased with their service and thrilled with the results. Our contact Ed was professional, knowledgeable and responsive. The crew that came out did a great job. I would highly recommend the company for this kind of work, thanks Cityscape!
- Mark Feldman (via Google)
Read our other 5-star Google Reviews here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in Chicago landscape design by Cityscape Landscape?
A Cityscape design can include layout planning, planting plans, hardscape design, lighting integration, drainage solutions, rooftop elements, and full construction coordination. For a complete overview, visit our all services page. Every project scope is defined during the initial consultation based on your site and goals.
How long does a landscape design-build project take?
Timelines depend on project size, material lead times, permitting requirements, and where your project falls in the season. After a site consultation, we give you a realistic project timeline before any commitment is made. If you want to get a sense of project scale and type before reaching out, our portfolio of recent work is a good place to start.
Do you design small Chicago yards and narrow lots?
Yes. City lots come with real constraints: limited access, mature shade trees, shared fences, parkway restrictions, and narrow sideyards. We design for those conditions regularly. Many of our projects are compact urban yards, including rooftop terraces, parkways, and small backyard spaces where every foot of design counts.
Can you handle both design and installation?
Yes, and that is the core of how Cityscape works. We are a single-source design-build landscape company, meaning the same team that designs your project also builds it. That approach keeps the design intent intact through installation and gives you one point of contact for the whole project.
Do you also design patios, walkways, or outdoor living areas?
Yes. Hardscape is a core part of many Cityscape projects. We design and install patios, stone walkways, retaining walls, steps, and outdoor living areas as part of a full landscape design or as a standalone scope. See our hardscape installation in Chicago page for more detail on materials, construction methods, and project examples. We also design outdoor living Chicago spaces that are built to be used, not just photographed.
Do you serve my Chicago neighborhood?
Cityscape Landscape serves Chicago and the surrounding area, with a concentration on the North Side. Our Chicago landscaping service area includes Bucktown, Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, North Center, Roscoe Village, Andersonville, Ravenswood, and Logan Square, among others. If you are not sure whether we work in your neighborhood, call us at (773) 342-4009 or send a note through our contact page.
Ready to Start Your Chicago Landscape Design Project?
Your perfect outdoor space starts with a conversation. Whether you’re ready to begin a custom design-build project or simply exploring your options, our experienced, award-winning team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Cityscape Landscape LLC has been designing and building Chicago’s most admired outdoor spaces since 1984. Let’s collaborate to create something truly exceptional—your dream outdoor space, built to last.