Landscape Design Services in Amherst and Western New York
Great landscape design is not about chasing trends or copying magazine photos. In our experience, the best landscapes in Erie County are built around sun exposure, drainage, seasonal weather, and how the space is actually used day to day. Whether it’s a residential yard or a commercial property, good design starts with practical planning and long-term performance.
Buffalo Landscape Design creates front yards, backyards, and full-property landscapes throughout Amherst, Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Clarence, East Aurora, Orchard Park, West Seneca, and Williamsville. To help clients plan with confidence, we also offer a Landscape Visualizer that allows you to upload photos of your own property and explore realistic design concepts before moving forward.
How our landscape design process works
Every property is different, and every homeowner has different priorities. Our design process is built around real-world installation and long-term success, not abstract drawings that fall apart once they meet New York weather.
Our process typically includes:
-
- A conversation about goals, budget range, and how the space is used
- Review of sun exposure, drainage, soil, and irrigation coverage
- Concept development that can be installed now or in phases
- Refinement based on feedback before moving into installation
We design landscapes to be built and lived in, not just to look good on paper.
Explore ideas with our Landscape Visualizer
Many of our clients want to see ideas before scheduling a full design meeting. That is exactly why we built our Landscape Visualizer.
With the visualizer, you can:
-
- Upload a photo of your own front yard or backyard
- See AI-generated, photo-realistic landscape concepts
- Experiment with bed shapes, plant groupings, and layouts
- Narrow down ideas before meeting with our team
In our opinion, this tool works best as a starting point that helps guide the design conversation and can rapidly show you concepts so you can explore the potential of your own property. It is not intended to be a replacement for professional design plans.
Front yard landscape design
Front yards in Western New York need to do more than look good for a few weeks in spring. They need to hold up through summer heat, winter dormancy, and everything in between.
Our front yard designs focus on:
-
- Strong curb appeal and clean bed lines
- Framing the home and entry without blocking sightlines
- Year-round structure with seasonal accent color
- HOA-conscious designs common in Amherst-area neighborhoods
In our experience, a well-designed front yard balances simplicity with intention, instead of overplanting that becomes hard to manage.
Backyard and full-property landscape design
Backyards are where function matters most. Our clients ask for spaces that feel comfortable, usable, and not overwhelming to maintain.
Backyard and full-property designs often include:
-
- Defined outdoor living zones
- Privacy screening and shade planning
- Plant placement that reduces heat and glare
- Layouts that can be installed all at once or in stages
In our opinion, the best backyard designs work with the sun, not against it.
Garden bed design and plant selection
Plant selection is where many landscapes fail in Western New York. Choosing the right plants for the right place makes all the difference.
Our garden bed designs consider:
-
- Sun exposure throughout the day
- Watering requirements and irrigation zones
- Soil conditions common in Erie and Niagara County
- Long-term growth, spacing, and mature size
In our experience, fewer well-chosen plants outperform crowded beds filled with plants that were never meant for our climate.
Seasonal color and flower displays
Seasonal color can add personality to a landscape when it is used intentionally. Most of our clients want color without committing to constant replacement and upkeep.
We design seasonal displays using:
-
- Spring and fall annuals where they make sense
- Accent areas instead of full-yard color swaps
- Combinations that complement permanent plantings
- Layouts that are easy to refresh without disruption
In our opinion, seasonal color works best when it enhances the design, not when it becomes the design.
Low-maintenance and xeriscape landscape design
Low-maintenance does not mean boring. Many homeowners are looking for landscapes that look clean and finished without weekly attention.
Low-maintenance and xeriscape designs often include:
-
- Drought-tolerant and native-adapted plants
- Reduced turf where appropriate
- Mulch, stone, and groundcover strategies
- Efficient irrigation planning
In our experience, smart plant choices save more time and money than any single design feature.
Designing for Western New York climate and water use
Western New York landscapes live under intense sun, long summers, and unpredictable rainfall. Ignoring these realities is one of the fastest ways to waste money.
Every design we create considers:
-
- Sun direction and reflected heat
- Plant water needs and irrigation efficiency
- Drainage and soil movement
- Seasonal stress and long-term durability
In our opinion, a landscape that fights the climate will always lose.
What we don’t do, and why
We want to be clear about expectations. We do not provide stamped architectural or engineering plans.
Instead, we focus on:
-
- Practical residential landscape design
- Concepts that can be installed and maintained
- Real-world experience over overengineered plans
In our experience, most homeowners benefit far more from build-ready design than from overly complex drawings.
Why homeowners choose Buffalo Landscape Design for landscape design
Clients choose Buffalo Landscape Design because they want honest advice and designs that actually work in Western New York.
Homeowners value our:
-
- Local knowledge of climate and soil conditions
- Experience designing landscapes we also install
- Clear communication and realistic expectations
- Ability to visualize, design, and build under one roof
We design landscapes with longevity in mind, not quick trends.
Start your landscape design
If you are in Amherst or the surrounding Western New York area and thinking about updating your landscape, start by trying our Landscape Visualizer or scheduling a design consultation.
We’ll help you turn ideas into a landscape that fits your property, your lifestyle, and our climate.
Questions about landscape design?
Homeowners often have a lot of questions before starting a landscape design project. Below are some of the most common things our clients ask us when planning a new front yard, backyard, or full-property landscape.
What areas do you design?
We design front yards, backyards, and full residential landscapes. That includes garden beds, planting layouts, outdoor living spaces, and overall property flow. Designs can be installed all at once or completed in phases.
What is your Landscape Visualizer and how does it work?
Our Landscape Visualizer allows you to upload a photo of your yard and see photo-realistic landscape concepts created by AI. In our experience, it is a great way to explore ideas and narrow down preferences before meeting for a formal design.
Is the Landscape Visualizer a final design?
No. In our opinion, the visualizer works best as a starting point. Final designs are refined based on sun exposure, irrigation, plant spacing, and installation details that software alone cannot account for.
Do you create architectural or engineered landscape plans?
We do not provide stamped architectural or engineering drawings. Our focus is practical residential landscape design that can be built, maintained, and enjoyed without unnecessary complexity.
How do you choose plants for Western New York landscapes?
Plant selection is based on sun exposure, water needs, soil conditions, and long-term growth. In our experience, choosing plants that are adapted to Western New York results in healthier landscapes and lower maintenance over time.
Can you design low-maintenance or drought-tolerant landscapes?
Yes. Many of our clients ask for low-maintenance or xeriscape designs. We regularly incorporate drought-tolerant plants, reduced turf areas, and efficient irrigation strategies.
Do you design seasonal flower displays?
Yes, when appropriate. We typically recommend seasonal color in accent areas rather than across the entire yard. In our opinion, this provides visual interest without constant upkeep.
Will you work with my existing plants or trees?
Whenever possible, yes. We evaluate existing plants and trees and can design around healthy elements that still serve the landscape. If something is no longer viable, we will explain why and discuss alternatives.
Can my landscape be installed in phases?
Absolutely. In our experience, phased installations are common and practical. We design with future phases in mind so everything works together long term.
Do you handle installation as well?
Yes. We design landscapes that we can install, which helps ensure the final result matches the original vision and performs well over time.