Is your commercial landscape truly equipped to handle the constant wear and tear of high foot traffic?
In bustling environments like Perth shopping centres, office complexes, and industrial facilities, outdoor spaces face daily pressure from employees, visitors, and the elements. Without careful planning, even the most attractive landscape can quickly become worn, unsafe, or costly to maintain. That’s why thoughtful design is essential – balancing durability, functionality, and visual appeal. At Externals Landscape Services, we specialise in creating resilient, purpose driven commercial landscapes that stand the test of time. With the right strategy, your outdoor space can remain inviting and low maintenance no matter how busy it gets.
Understanding the Needs of High-Traffic Commercial Spaces
Designing a landscape for high-traffic commercial areas starts with a deep understanding of how these spaces are used. Unlike residential gardens or quiet office courtyards, commercial environments such as retail centres, hospitality venues, healthcare facilities, and industrial sites experience constant movement—by foot, vehicle, and occasionally machinery. This means the landscaping must not only look professional but also withstand continuous wear, all while remaining safe, accessible, and easy to maintain.
Recognising Common Challenges
Some of the most common issues in these environments include:
- Soil compaction from heavy pedestrian or vehicular movement, which reduces drainage and root health.
- Damaged plants due to foot traffic straying off paths or insufficient space planning.
- Accelerated wear of lawn areas and soft surfaces, especially in Perth’s hot, dry summers.
- Increased need for maintenance, which can raise costs if not considered during design.
Designing for Movement and Function
It’s vital to begin every commercial landscaping project with a clear plan for movement patterns. Where are people most likely to walk? Are there deliveries, events, or equipment to accommodate? Functional elements like walkways, bollards, signage, and buffer zones should be seamlessly integrated to direct flow and protect plantings.
Equally important is visibility. Landscapes around commercial and industrial buildings must ensure signage, entrances, and exits remain clear and accessible. Even small oversights—like a poorly placed shrub or overgrown hedge—can create safety hazards or obstruct business branding.
Tailoring the Design to Each Site
No two high-traffic sites are exactly alike. A landscape design that works well in a shopping complex may not suit an industrial facility or healthcare precinct. That’s why site specific design is key. Externals Landscape Services conducts in-depth consultations to assess environmental conditions, peak usage times, and long term operational needs. This ensures each solution is not only visually cohesive but also tailored to withstand the unique pressures of the location.
Choosing the Right Plants and Materials for Durability
In high traffic commercial environments, the right plant and material selection makes the difference between a landscape that thrives and one that quickly deteriorates. In Perth’s climate, which includes dry summers and variable rainfall, careful planning is essential for durability, safety, and ongoing appeal.
Selecting Hardy, Low-Maintenance Plants
Plant choice should be guided by both appearance and performance. For high-traffic zones, look for species that can tolerate compacted soil, minimal watering, and potential damage from passersby. Western Australian natives such as Kangaroo Paw, Westringia, and Grevillea are excellent options due to their drought resistance and ability to thrive with low intervention.
Incorporating hardy groundcovers like Myoporum or Dichondra can protect soil from erosion and provide soft visual breaks between hardscapes and buildings. These choices reduce the burden of commercial garden maintenance, helping businesses lower their landscaping upkeep without compromising on appearance.
Prioritising Robust, Long-Wearing Surfaces
Hardscaping is equally critical. In areas with constant foot or vehicle traffic, surfaces like poured concrete, exposed aggregate, and large-format pavers offer strength and longevity. These materials resist cracking, shifting, and surface erosion far better than traditional soft ground covers like turf or gravel.
Using permeable pavers can also help with water drainage, reducing pooling and trip hazards. For pedestrian-heavy spaces, non-slip finishes are vital for safety, particularly in wetter months.
Retaining walls, bollards, and edging solutions should all be built from weather-resistant materials such as galvanised steel, stone, or treated timber to avoid early wear or decay.
Combining Function with Visual Impact
Just because something is durable doesn’t mean it has to be dull. Smart commercial landscape design finds a balance between functionality and visual interest. Recycled timber seating, feature boulders, patterned paving, and raised planter beds can all add texture and depth while still being hard-wearing.
At Externals Landscape Services, we blend material science with aesthetic design to ensure every commercial space reflects the professionalism of the business it surrounds. Whether we’re working on retail spaces, office parks, or industrial and commercial landscaping projects, our goal is to create landscapes that are as attractive as they are resilient.
Functional Layout and Flow: Designing with Purpose
Designing a visually appealing landscape is only part of the equation; true success in high-traffic commercial spaces lies in how well the layout supports movement, usability, and safety. An effective landscape plan must guide people naturally through the space while accommodating both everyday usage and occasional surges in footfall.
Designing for Pedestrian Flow and Access
Footpaths, entrances, crossovers, and gathering points should all be strategically planned to reflect how people actually use the space. This includes ensuring paths are wide enough for peak times, clearly defined, and accessible for people of all abilities.
Curved pathways can create a sense of calm and direction, while direct linear routes are ideal for busy areas like carparks or public transport zones. Visual cues such as contrasting paver colours or natural edging can subtly guide movement, preventing shortcutting across garden beds or turf.
Creating Zones for Different User Needs
Not all parts of a commercial or industrial site serve the same function. Employees may need outdoor break areas, while customers require attractive entry zones or functional waiting spaces. Consider separating:
- Public zones (entrances, seating, parking)
- Staff-only zones (loading bays, utilities, outdoor kitchens)
- Green buffers (to screen unsightly areas or soften harsh edges)
This zoning not only improves the experience for different user groups but also helps protect sensitive landscape features from unnecessary wear.
Allowing for Flexibility and Long-Term Use
Landscapes are long-term investments, so your design must allow for future changes—whether it’s added signage, increased traffic, or seasonal displays. This is where working with an experienced commercial landscaping contractor like Externals Landscape Services becomes essential.
We plan with growth in mind: allowing space for plantings to mature, integrating modular elements that can be adjusted over time, and ensuring all layout decisions support both current needs and future expansion. This flexible approach ensures your commercial space remains attractive, functional, and on-brand year after year.
Integrating Low-Maintenance and Sustainable Features
In a city like Perth, where water conservation and efficiency are key concerns, incorporating sustainable and low-maintenance landscaping features is not just environmentally responsible—it’s also a smart long term investment. Well planned sustainable design reduces ongoing upkeep costs while supporting a healthy, vibrant landscape year round.
Smart Irrigation and Water-Wise Design
Efficient water use is critical for commercial landscapes. Installing drip irrigation systems, soil moisture sensors, and smart irrigation controllers can drastically cut water usage without sacrificing plant health. Grouping plants by water needs and using hydrozoning techniques also ensures that no area is over or under watered.
Drought tolerant species – particularly native plants – can thrive with minimal supplemental watering, even through Perth’s hot summers. Mulching garden beds not only conserves moisture but also reduces weed growth and soil erosion, contributing to easier upkeep and sustainability.
Sustainable Hardscaping Choices
Eco-conscious design doesn’t stop at plants. Permeable paving solutions allow water to filter through to the subsoil, reducing runoff and pressure on stormwater systems. Recycled materials such as reclaimed timber, rubber surfaces, or crushed concrete can be used creatively to maintain aesthetic quality while lowering the environmental impact.
Solar powered lighting, rainwater harvesting systems, and even green walls can be integrated into larger projects to further enhance sustainability without compromising on modern, commercial appeal.
Reducing Maintenance with Smart Planting and Design
The goal of sustainable commercial landscaping isn’t just to look good, it’s to function effortlessly. That’s why smart plant positioning, reduced lawn areas, and layered planting beds are all effective ways to cut down on trimming, weeding, and replanting.
These features are especially valuable in busy properties like healthcare facilities, office parks, or industrial sites where commercial garden maintenance must be kept efficient and cost-effective. At Externals Landscape Services, we design with your long term maintenance schedule in mind, so you can enjoy a beautiful space without constant intervention.
Prioritising Safety and Accessibility in Design
For high traffic commercial landscapes, safety and accessibility are non-negotiable. A well designed outdoor space doesn’t just look good, it keeps people safe, guides movement clearly, and ensures that every visitor, regardless of ability, can navigate with ease. Good design also protects the business from liability by reducing trip hazards and ensuring compliance with Australian standards.
Well-Lit and Clearly Defined Pathways
One of the most common safety oversights in commercial landscapes is poor lighting. Well illuminated paths, entrances, and outdoor seating areas are essential for visibility after dark. This is particularly important for businesses operating at night or during early mornings—such as retail centres, transport depots, or hospitality venues.
Pathways should also be clearly defined, using durable, non-slip materials. Changes in elevation should be gradual and supported by handrails or tactiles where appropriate. Bollards, contrasting pavers, and edge markers all contribute to guiding movement safely and intuitively.
Designing with Accessibility in Mind
All commercial and industrial landscaping projects must comply with accessibility standards outlined in the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). That means ensuring pathways are wide enough for wheelchairs, ramps are installed where needed, and surfaces are smooth and hazard-free.
Designing for accessibility isn’t just about compliance, it’s about inclusivity. Seating with armrests, rest points at regular intervals, and wayfinding signage at appropriate heights all help create a space that everyone can enjoy.
Landscaping that Enhances Visibility and Security
Good landscaping design can enhance security through Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles. That includes:
- Avoiding overgrown hedges near entrances or pathways
- Placing lighting near key access points
- Ensuring sightlines remain open and clear for CCTV
These design strategies discourage loitering and improve the sense of safety for staff and visitors. As a trusted name in industrial and commercial landscaping, Externals Landscape Services ensures every design element—whether aesthetic or structural—contributes to a safe, functional, and welcoming outdoor space.
Why Professional Expertise Matters
Creating landscapes for high-traffic commercial spaces isn’t just about planting trees and laying pavers; it’s a complex process that requires expertise in planning, construction, sustainability, compliance, and aesthetics. Working with a qualified landscaping partner ensures your project is not only completed to a high standard but delivers long-term value for your business.
Strategic Site Analysis and Planning
Every successful landscaping project starts with a deep understanding of the site. Before a single plant is chosen, professionals conduct soil testing, site grading analysis, sun and wind exposure assessments, and drainage planning. This stage helps identify key challenges such as compacted soil, poor water retention, or uneven levels that must be addressed to avoid long term problems.
At Externals Landscape Services, we tailor every design to your environment and usage requirements. Whether it’s a city centre office complex or a large industrial yard, our process ensures nothing is overlooked.
Designing for Compliance and Durability
From Australian safety standards to environmental regulations, commercial landscaping must meet strict criteria. Professionals ensure all materials, layouts, and construction methods are compliant, durable, and built to last.
This includes:
- Specifying hardscapes that meet slip-resistance ratings
- Ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities
- Choosing sustainable irrigation systems
- Planning for minimal disruption during construction
By working with a seasoned commercial landscaping contractor, you avoid costly reworks and guarantee a safe, compliant finish that reflects your brand’s professionalism.
Ongoing Support and Maintenance Guidance
Professional landscaping doesn’t end at installation. A reputable contractor will also offer guidance on maintaining your landscape for long-term success. This includes helping your team or facilities manager understand plant care schedules, irrigation programming, seasonal upkeep, and proactive problem-solving.
Many clients also opt for ongoing maintenance partnerships, where experts handle pruning, turf care, fertilisation, and upgrades as needed. This approach keeps your space looking its best while saving your business time and labour.
Our team is always on hand to assist with seasonal upgrades or troubleshooting, offering continuity that one-off contractors simply can’t provide.
Tailored Solutions for Industrial and Commercial Projects
Large-scale industrial and commercial properties come with unique challenges from vehicle movements to machinery access, security concerns, and heat mitigation in open yards. Designing for these variables takes not just creativity, but deep industry knowledge.
We understand that commercial landscaping for a warehouse looks very different from that of a school or shopping precinct. That’s why we provide tailored strategies, ensuring each element—whether structural or softscape—is chosen with performance and practicality in mind.
From initial consultation to the final plant in the ground, Externals Landscape Services offers a comprehensive service model. Our team of designers, project managers, and installers works closely with clients to create outdoor spaces that are robust, inviting, and always aligned with your business goals.
Is Your Commercial Landscape Built to Last?
Does your current outdoor space support your business image—or is it struggling under the pressure of constant use? High traffic commercial areas demand more than just good looks—they require strategic, durable, and low maintenance design. By partnering with experts who understand the nuances of commercial landscaping in Perth, you can future proof your property while impressing visitors and clients alike.
At Externals Landscape Services, we’re here to help you create a functional, resilient, and attractive landscape tailored to your business needs. Contact us today for a free consultation and let’s bring your outdoor vision to life—professionally and efficiently.