Landscape Architects & Designers Near Sacramento

Arriving mid-construction, we transformed a bare site into a climate-responsive landscape that complements the home’s modern architecture and Sacramento’s hot, dry environment. Moving away from the neighborhood’s traditional lawns and boxwood, the design features a desert-inspired palette of olive, palo verde, and California pepper trees layered with succulents and grasses. Open fencing, sculptural planting, and contrasting pathways create a relaxed yet refined front garden. The backyard is generous and active with gathering spaces, a pool, sport court, and bocce court framed by fruit trees. Repetition, restraint, and cohesive materials unify the expansive site. It is a garden that is not only for viewing but also lived in every day.

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A dream cottage garden for an amazing Japanese client in Sacramento - who loves her veggie beds and has a green thumb. She wanted a natural water feature for bird watching, a shady seating space under her redwood, and some lawn for her sweet dog. We kept a Japanese theme with some mini maples and hakenochloa dotted around the space.

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Colonial Revival Meets Modern, Rustic, and Contemporary Landscape. This style is ideal for creating a relaxed yet refined retreat—perfect for entertaining, family gatherings, or quiet reflection. It emphasizes comfort, versatility, and visual harmony, with a strong connection to nature. To view the accompanying video, visit: https://youtu.be/B-aohJXpANY

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The architectural style of the patio cover and deck seamlessly blends modern, rustic, and contemporary elements. The gable roof with exposed wooden beams and trusses nods to classic timber-frame or craftsman influences, giving it a warm, organic feel. Meanwhile, the clean lines and open framing maintain a minimalist aesthetic typical of modern architecture. The deck itself introduces more contemporary flair through its horizontal metal cable railing, which is both sleek and unobtrusive, perfect for maintaining sightlines and enhancing the sense of openness. The combination of natural wood tones with metal materials strikes a balance between cozy and sophisticated. Overall, it’s a smart fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern design—a great example of how outdoor living spaces can feel both timeless and fresh. To view the corresponding video, visit: https://youtu.be/SG_f_7qvoMk * All plans designed by AJM Landscape Design Studio are conceptual only. Any plans requiring detail and/or engineering will be at the owner's expense and completed by the appropriate licensed firm.

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Once a plain lawn with scattered shrubs, this backyard has been reimagined into a richly layered sanctuary that invites both solitude and connection. Winding pathways of reclaimed brick from the 1920s and 1930s weave through the garden, guiding visitors into a sequence of distinct landscape “rooms.” Each area offers its own atmosphere, with a varied mix of perennials, fragrant roses, colorful seasonal plantings, and structural shrubs that bring contrast, texture, and year-round interest. A cozy bench nestled beneath the trees offers space for quiet retreat, while another bench closer to the house, accented with colorful pillows, creates a welcoming spot for conversation and gathering. A new garden studio, designed as both office and creative space, blends seamlessly into the landscape, with a discreet outdoor shower nearby that adds spa-like luxury and enhances the sense of escape. The covered patio extends the home outward, featuring a beautiful space for al fresco dining alongside a custom fountain whose gentle sound adds calm to the setting. Thoughtfully placed art and subtle lighting further enrich the garden’s ambiance, allowing it to shift gracefully from day into evening. Balancing natural beauty with purposeful design, this garden is more than an outdoor space. It is a series of inviting destinations, a living extension of home that nurtures both spirit and senses. Photography Credit: Julia Aue Photography (https://www.juliaauephotography.com/)

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This full-yard transformation creates a warm, inviting, and highly usable outdoor retreat. From the very first presentation, the design resonated with the clients’ vision so much, they moved forward with it exactly as shown, without any revisions. At the heart of the backyard, a gently layered meadow garden brings softness, movement, and a sense of calm. Though still in its early stages, the meadow is designed to fill in over time with a rich variety of colors, textures, and heights. It willcreate4 an ever-changing natural tapestry that offers seasonal interest and visual depth. Surrounding this central feature are thoughtfully selected drought-tolerant plantings that provide structure and year-round appeal. A sculpted, raised concrete patio serves as a strong architectural anchor, while curved gravel pathways and a custom cable trellis add character and flow. Sustainability was thoughtfully integrated into the design by reusing materials already on site. Pavers from a small, underused patio in the back corner were repurposed to create a meaningful new pathway that connects the front yard, side yard, and backyard—enhancing circulation while reducing waste. Existing architectural boulders were repositioned to create natural accents and anchor planting areas throughout the garden. One side yard now features a once-overlooked large pottery piece, relocated from an inconspicuous spot in the backyard to become a striking focal point. It’s now framed by lush, low-maintenance plantings and a casual stepping stone path that guides movement through the space. The other side yard was redesigned with a new concrete base and custom gate to neatly conceal garden equipment and refuse receptacles—addressing functionality with care and subtlety. The front yard was transformed from a patchy lawn and a single tree into a welcoming, water-wise garden featuring a thoughtful mix of drought-tolerant and native plantings. Green-hued boulders, which deepen to a rich, vibrant tone when wet, were strategically placed to add sculptural interest and a subtle touch of surprise—enhancing the garden’s texture and connection to the natural environment. Designed for everyday living and effortless entertaining, this landscape now feels like an extension of home... thoughtfully crafted, quietly joyful, and ready to be loved for years to come. Photography Credit: Julia Aue Photography (https://www.juliaauephotography.com/)

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A beautiful garden with a modern water feature, a cozy natural wood pergola, and vibrant flowers lining the pathway, perfect for sunny afternoons. To view the corresponding video, visit: https://youtu.be/UhAcjQLHXlE

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