Designing the Perfect Outdoor Space for Your Idaho and Utah Commercial Property

Whether you’re managing a corporate office, a retail complex, or an apartment community, the outdoor space around your property makes a powerful impression. Smart landscape design can elevate your brand image, increase usability, and boost property value — all while creating a welcoming environment for customers, tenants, and employees.

At Cutting Edge Landscape, we help Idaho and Utah businesses design commercial landscapes that are beautiful, functional, and built to last. Here’s how to design an outdoor space that stands out.

1. Start with a Purpose

Every great landscape starts with a clear goal. Do you want to:

• Improve curb appeal and attract foot traffic?
• Add functional gathering areas like patios or seating zones?
• Enhance sustainability and reduce water use?
• Modernize an outdated or overgrown property?

Clearly defining the purpose helps guide layout, plant selection, hardscape features, and long-term maintenance planning.

2. Design for Year-Round Interest

Idaho and Utah’s four seasons offer opportunities to incorporate year-round visual appeal. A professional design balances color, texture, and contrast across all months — not just spring and summer.

Consider including:

• Evergreen shrubs for winter greenery
• Ornamental grasses with fall movement
• Seasonal flowers or containers for color pops
• Trees with interesting bark or branch structure for winter impact

A layered design approach ensures your landscape stays attractive even in dormancy.

3. Choose Low-Maintenance, Climate-Appropriate Plants

Choosing plants that thrive in Idaho or Utah’s climate can reduce water use, lower maintenance costs, and ensure long-term plant health.

Recommended strategies:

• Use native or drought-tolerant plants
• Group plants by water needs (hydrozoning)
• Incorporate mulch for water retention and weed suppression
• Avoid invasive or high-maintenance species

Cutting Edge Landscape can provide a custom plant palette based on your site’s sun, soil, and irrigation conditions.

4. Integrate Hardscapes and Functional Elements

A successful commercial landscape isn’t just plants — it’s a functional space. Incorporating hardscapes like seating areas, lighting, and walkways can turn your exterior into an extension of your business.

Key features to consider:

• Concrete or paver walkways
• Outdoor seating or patio areas
• Accent lighting for safety and ambiance
• Retaining walls or raised beds
• Entry monuments and signage integration

Thoughtful hardscape design enhances usability and aesthetics.

5. Visualize Before You Build

One of the most powerful design tools we offer at Cutting Edge Landscape is photo-realistic renderings. With our digital design process, you can see exactly how your outdoor space will look before construction even begins.

This process helps:

• Align your vision with reality
• Make confident design decisions
• Get stakeholder or board approvals faster
• Save time and money during construction

You’ll also receive a full plant and material list to help visualize every detail.

Ready to Transform Your Property?

From initial consultation to final installation, Cutting Edge Landscape brings 25+ years of experience designing commercial properties throughout Idaho cities like Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Pocatello, and Eagle and Utah cities like West Valley City, Sandy, Draper, Murray, South Jordan, and beyond.

We’ll create a landscape that reflects your goals, enhances your property’s value, and makes a lasting impression.