The Best Online Landscape Design Services

Martha Stewart’s description of André Le Nôtre is a nod to his masterpiece, the sprawling 17th-century gardens of Versailles. The chief landscape architect of King Louis XIV, Le Nôtre was thought to be the greatest landscape designer of the day for building one of the most lavish outdoor projects in history at the astronomical sum of 550 million Euros - and without the aid of digital design tools.

An ancient art form dating back to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, today’s landscape design is a bit more mainstream - at only $2,600 to $4,600 per year - making it a somewhat more affordable way for non-aristocracy to redesign their backyard. Although designers may not be building a Versailles, digital landscape architects can take an ordinary garden and transfigure it into a blissful outdoor living space that can be enjoyed for years to come.

Here are the top online landscape design services to help create a picturesque backyard.

Yardzen

Yardzen prides itself on realistic top-notch designs from industry professionals holding master’s and bachelors in horticulture - they even suit the plants in the space to the client’s specific climate and region so they can grow and flourish. The website offers three convenient packages for easy access rapid service.

• Botanical Design $649

This plan is an excellent starting point, offering custom planting over the client’s whole property covering up to ½ acre, with plants hand-selected by a landscape designer.

• Front or Back Yard $995

Perfect for hardscaping design and custom planting for a front or back yard plan. This plan differs from the simple first design in that it utilizes a team of landscape architects, horticulturalists, and designers in finishing the product.

• Full Yard $1995

This plan features custom planting and hardscape design for the entire property, also utilizing a team of landscape architects, designers, and horticulturalists at lot sizes of over 1 acre.

Each package comes with a display of 3D renderings, CAD plans, a plant palette, as well as the opportunity to make a full revision. When everything’s ready, Yardzen connects the client to a local list of recommended contractors in the area that can really make the difference in the finished design. Altogether, a project with Yardzen takes 4-6 weeks, and only requires one photo from the client along with a style quiz for designers to gather enough information to start the whole backyard, with truly sensational results. Check out their reviews to get a gist of how clients appreciate their services. Additional exterior design options included are “Curb Appeal” for the front yard at $1595, and “Outdoor Transformation” for the whole property at $2395, both featuring hardscaping, exterior design, and custom planting with paint, doors, and windows selected by a professional team of designers.

Home Outside

Founded by author and landscape designer Julie Moir Messervy, Home Outside features an expert take on landscape design in that its creator is actually an author of nine accomplished books on outdoor design including the Amazon bestseller Home Outside: Creating the Landscape You Love (also available on their website here). 

Instead of design packages, Home Outside provides custom services and pricing for every project. The design process starts with a simple choice: a 30- or 60-minute Garden Design Session or Landscape Design Session. Garden Design Sessions are for people who need help selecting trees, shrubs, and plant combinations; designing ornamental and edible gardens; replacing lawns with drought-resistant plantings; creating privacy hedges; and other plant-related needs. The Landscape Design Session is for those who want a design for the front yard, backyard, or full property, including the layout of paths, patios, garden beds, hardscape, firepits, and outdoor dining and entertaining.

Customers are matched with a designer with experience in their region and climate for a screen-share consultation to discuss the client's dreams, goals, and preferences. The customer gets suggestions and advice, and after the call, the designer follows up with a custom price proposal that matches the client’s needs and budget.

Home Outside can also make an amazing substitute for Home Depot as it features pre-designed company-made plant kits made for cool and warm shaded and unshaded habitats. As the website is such an in-demand service with designers booked 3-4 weeks in advance, clients should make sure to contact them as soon as possible.

Tilly

Tilly Design is a perfect starter package for newbies to the online outdoor landscape in that it offers endless upgrades, add-ons, and selections - much like customizing a wedding plan or ordering online from Zoe’s Kitchen. They offer three design plans, each one promising to bring the client’s landscape vision to life. Unlike other design websites, however, Tilly adjusts the price of the package based on the size of the property, starting their base price at ½ acre and scaling it up to 2 acres.

• The Front from $375

The front yard option is the cheapest and includes a 30-minute video call with the designer, a full-color scaled plan of the project area, a complete list of plant materials, a hardscape materials palette, images for inspiration, and care and installation instructions, along with one chance at design revisions and a customizable list of add-on features including 3D images ($250), a side yard plan ($150), lighting ($100), and irrigation ($175).

• The Back from $525

Their backyard option, a bit pricier per ½ acre, carries all the same amenities as above, including the add-on features.

• The Full from $775

The “Full” plan includes the front and back yard, but the add-on amenities are double the price to include both.

Once the client selects a plan, they can select optional add-ons of 3D images, a side yard plan, lighting, and irrigation, each at a price that ranges from $100-$275.

Throughout the design process, Tilly gives customers access to even more special add-ons such as a design consultation for $55, an extra design revision for $150, a large format print at 24"x36" for $59, and even an alternative design option of over 50% of the design package. All designers need are the details of the project, the client’s photos of the backyard and/or the front yard, and a special property survey to conduct a live video interview. 

The versatility and sheer freedom to upgrade as you go is one of the reasons Tilly Design was featured by Better Homes & Gardens and Forbes as a top selection - and their catalog Texas and Los Angeles-based portfolio section is definitely worth the look.

Calloway’s Nursery and Landstylist also deserve honorable mention, as one is based in Dallas, TX and the other rated by the New York Times to be one of their favorite New York-based online outdoor design teams. iScape, the #1 used digital landscape app, is a novel design tool, and many testify it’s one of the best do-it-yourself methods for non-designers to landscape their own backyard.

In the Dallas area, nothing beats quality like Brennan Enterprises for outfitting perfect windows and doors to match a new back or front yard. For quality vinyl and wood materials, Brennan is here to make your vision come to life. Book a free estimate or give us a call at (844) 245-9511 to get started today.