Landscape Architects & Designers Near Chicago

“Carol and her landscaping team created our perfect city backyard. Carol's design process was simple, she talked to us about what we wanted, sent us a draft, and adjusted according to our preferences/feedback. She created a very beautiful design with little input from us (as we know nothing about landscaping). Then, to execute the plan her team came on site and truly embodied efficiency and professionalism. They were incredibly thoughtful about implementing the designs in our space and modified things as needed when issues came up (e.g. optimizing for drainage/rain given incline of our space). They worked very hard and had our full patio and landscaping done in under two weeks, including some carpentry work. When we changed things in real time, they were flexible and understanding, and were able to take our directions easily. I would trust them with any project! We love our new backyard.”

“The company is very dependable and take pried in their work. Everything that was moved to cut grass was returned to the original location. Weeds were pulled by hand. My landscaper never looked this good.”

“We recently worked with the team at Wave Outdoors to develop a comprehensive landscape master plan for our property, and the entire experience from design to execution has been outstanding. The Consultation & Onboarding Before landing on Wave, I interviewed a few different landscaping firms. The level of care, time, and attention Kevin paid upfront completely blew me away. Rather than running through a standard intake form, she took the time to genuinely listen, make me feel heard, and help me articulate a specific vision that incorporated my unique taste. She took meticulous notes and established a level of trust that none of the other firms even came close to matching. It made our decision an absolute no-brainer. Precision Site Assessment Once the project kicked off, Hannah conducted the initial site assessment. Her work was incredibly precise, thoroughly mapping out the existing site conditions, grading, and utility lines. This gave us a flawless, data-backed foundation before any actual design layouts were drawn, ensuring there would be no major structural surprises down the line. Collaborative Design & Plant Curation The true standout part of the project was collaborating with Mary, the lead designer, who has gone completely above and beyond. I came to the table with an extensive, highly specific wishlist of perennials and distinct plant roles. Instead of steering me toward a cookie-cutter template, Mary leaned into my preferences entirely. She tracked iterations seamlessly across detailed spreadsheets, cross-referenced regional nursery availability, and artfully layered the flora to guarantee continuous visual interest from spring through fall. Seamless Problem Solving Mary’s adaptability was on full display when we hit unexpected real-world site adjustments. We had to adapt to a property line shift with a neighbor and alter the placement of a prized Japanese Maple. Mary pivoted seamlessly, instantly reshaping the garden beds, re-routing the meandering gravel pathways, and introducing strong structural focal points without losing a single ounce of the original design intent. Final Verdict The final master plan successfully balances a complex, custom plant palette with a practical, three-phase installation plan that aligns perfectly with our timeline and budget. If you are looking for a deeply knowledgeable, highly collaborative, and detail-oriented team for a serious landscape project, this is absolutely the firm to work with.”