How Commercial Landscaping Can Improve Tenant and Client Impressions in Johnson County, KS
Landscaping is often the first thing people notice—and the last thing they remember.
For commercial properties in Johnson, KS, the way your space looks and feels from the outside shapes how clients and tenants experience everything else. A clean, well-planned landscape signals that you care. About the details. About the people showing up.
In this blog, we’ll walk through how commercial landscaping affects first impressions, tenant satisfaction, and brand image, plus the features that help a property stand out.
Let’s take a closer look.
Elements That Make the Biggest Impression
Focus on What People See and Feel
Not every property needs every feature. But the ones that make an impact all have one thing in common—they’re built with purpose.
The most effective commercial landscapes focus on the parts of the property people actually engage with: entrances, walkways, signage areas, and outdoor gathering spots. These are the areas that speak the loudest.
If the lawn near the main sign is patchy, or the beds by the entryway are bare, that becomes the visual headline. But when those spaces are vibrant, clean, and welcoming, the entire property feels different.
At Hermes Landscaping, we guide our clients toward the features that match their goals and fit the layout of their space. Every property is unique. But a few elements show up again and again—for good reason.
High-Impact Features Worth Considering
Defined Planting Beds
Mulched, edged beds with healthy, layered plantings offer a sharp contrast to surrounding hard surfaces. They create shape, anchor your design, and give you room to rotate in seasonal color.
Lighting That Guides and Highlights
Low-voltage LED lighting can transform a property after dark. It highlights architectural details, improves visibility, and gives the space a sense of polish and presence at all hours.
Walkways and Entry Paths
Clean, intentional walkways feel organized and thoughtful. Whether it’s pavers, natural stone, or poured concrete with decorative touches, walkways direct movement while enhancing curb appeal.
Native and Low-Maintenance Plants
Choosing the right plants means less upkeep, stronger growth, and a landscape that looks good year-round. Native grasses, flowering shrubs, and shade-tolerant varieties perform well in Johnson County’s climate.
Outdoor Seating Areas
Even a small space with a bench and a few trees can create an inviting place to pause. These areas support tenant satisfaction and client comfort without needing a full patio or pavilion.
Accent Features
From stone columns and signage walls to focal trees and container gardens, these design details give a property character. They draw the eye and offer moments of visual interest that stick with people.
Tailored to Fit Your Property
No two sites are the same, which is why we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach.
Some properties need clean formality. Others benefit from a more natural feel. What matters most is that your landscape speaks clearly and supports the experience you want people to have.
With the right features in the right places, your landscape becomes a tool—not just for appearance, but for impact.
First Impressions Happen Fast
What People See First
Before a word is spoken or a hand is shaken, your exterior has already done the talking.
Clients, tenants, and visitors take in your property the moment they pull in. They notice the shape of the beds, the health of the plants, the edges of the walkways. They notice what’s clean, what’s overgrown, and what’s been forgotten. And all of it becomes part of their impression.
Landscaping doesn’t need to be elaborate to be effective. It needs to be intentional. A few well-placed trees, clear lines, and maintained greenery go a long way in shaping how people feel when they arrive.
The Subtle Cues That Stick
People might not point out the mulch or lighting directly—but they feel it. They feel when a space is calm, organized, and cared for. And they also feel when something’s off.
Patches of weeds or untrimmed hedges can leave the wrong kind of mark. They make people question what’s happening behind the scenes. Is this property being managed well? Is the business detail-oriented? Do they value quality?
You don’t want your landscaping to become a question mark. You want it to be a quiet, confident yes.
The Welcome Clients and Tenants Remember
Landscaping frames the entire experience of doing business with you. It doesn’t need to be flashy to do its job. When it’s done right, people feel more comfortable, more confident, and more open from the moment they step out of the car.
For tenants, it creates a sense of pride and stability. For clients, it reinforces trust before they even walk through the door.
And for you, it sets the standard without having to say a word.
Landscaping as a Tenant Retention Tool
The Space Outside Shapes the Experience Inside
When tenants pull into your property each day, what they see affects how they feel about being there.
A well-kept landscape gives them confidence. It tells them the property is looked after. It creates a sense of order, care, and stability before they even unlock the front door.
The space outside isn’t separate from the work being done inside. It influences energy, morale, and pride. Over time, those feelings stack up—and help determine whether someone stays or leaves.
Outdoor Upgrades That Matter
Tenants don’t need massive features to feel taken care of. They respond to the details: clean walkways, fresh mulch, trimmed hedges, planters with color, lighting that works.
Simple gathering spots can make the difference. Think shaded patios, paved sitting areas, or a few benches near a landscaped bed. These elements give tenants a reason to linger, connect, or reset during the day.
In multi-tenant buildings, these shared spaces can help create community. Even in smaller properties, they offer a moment of calm that adds value to the daily routine.
At Hermes Landscaping, we work with native plants that hold up to Kansas weather. They stay strong through the seasons and require less attention over time. That means fewer complaints, more consistency, and a property that looks pulled together month after month.
Pride That Turns Into Loyalty
When tenants feel proud of where they work, they show it. They invite clients over without hesitation. They speak highly of the location. They renew the lease.
Landscaping plays a big role in that pride. It reflects how much you care—not just about the property, but about the people in it.
Overgrown beds, cracked edging, or patchy grass can wear on someone. It chips away at the experience. On the other hand, clean, vibrant landscaping adds energy and reinforces the sense that the space is respected.
That respect flows in both directions.
If your goal is long-term retention, show your tenants the kind of care they can count on. Landscaping is one of the most visible ways to do it.
Related: How Commercial Landscaping Contributes to a Professional Image in the Clay County, MO Area
Brand Alignment Through Landscape Design
A Property That Reflects Who You Are
Before anyone steps inside your building, your landscape sets the tone.
It tells people what kind of business you run, what kind of standards you keep, and what they can expect from the experience. A law firm with a sharp, structured layout sends a different message than a wellness center surrounded by soft greenery and movement.
Whether you realize it or not, your landscape is part of your branding. It’s the first expression of your identity—quiet, visual, and powerful.
Design With Intent
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to commercial landscaping.
Some properties benefit from bold symmetry and minimal color. Others thrive with layered textures, native grasses, and blooms that evolve through the year. The key is making sure the space outside speaks the same language as the business inside.
A high-end retail space might lean on clean stonework, sharp lines, and focal lighting. A creative agency might want something more dynamic—ornamental grasses that sway in the wind, pops of color, or sculptural elements.
At Hermes Landscaping, we take time to understand who you are before we shape the space around you. The goal is cohesion. The kind that makes everything—from your sign to your storefront—feel connected.
Consistency Builds Trust
When your outdoor space aligns with your brand, people feel it.
It tells them they’re in the right place. It builds confidence before a handshake or pitch is ever made. It reinforces everything you say about your values, your standards, and your attention to detail.
Clients and tenants both notice when the design of a property feels complete.
Disjointed landscaping can feel like a missed step. It creates questions. Sharp, aligned design builds clarity. It supports your message without needing to explain anything.
The outside should never feel like an afterthought. It’s the front page of the story you’re telling—and when it reflects the brand well, everything that follows makes more sense.
That’s the difference between a nice space and one that feels right.
How Professional Landscaping Helps You Compete in Johnson County
Standing Out in a Crowded Market
No matter the industry, every commercial property in Johnson County shares one thing: the need to stand out.
Whether you're running a medical office, a shopping center, or a company headquarters, your landscape plays a key role in separating your space from the one down the road.
There are plenty of well-kept properties in the area—but a sharp, clean, and inviting landscape still catches the eye. When the grass is crisp, the beds are alive with color, and the layout feels deliberate, people take notice.
They assume the same level of care applies to your business.
That kind of visibility builds familiarity. Familiarity builds trust. And trust leads to opportunity.
Making the Right Impression With the Right Audience
The people showing up to your property already have expectations.
Whether they're clients looking for professionalism, tenants looking for stability, or potential hires looking for a place that reflects their values, they’re paying attention before they park.
Landscaping is a tool to shape their perception.
Clean lines and orderly layouts speak to structure. Soft textures and natural groupings speak to warmth. Lighting speaks to safety, beauty, and attention. Every detail matters.
Professional landscaping also signals that your business is active, steady, and ready for growth. A well-kept property feels open. It invites people in.
That perception carries weight—especially in competitive pockets of Johnson County like Overland Park, Lenexa, and Leawood, where clients have options and expectations.
Support for Business Goals You Already Have
You don’t need to change your goals—only the way your property supports them.
Whether you're focused on keeping your space leased, increasing client walk-ins, or improving the workday experience for your team, landscaping contributes directly to that outcome.
It’s not a separate investment. It’s part of the environment you’re already responsible for.
When your landscape supports your goals, you move forward with less resistance. When it doesn’t, you’re working against the space instead of with it.
Professional landscaping creates a foundation that helps everything else perform better. And in a place like Johnson County, where people notice the details, that edge matters.
Why Businesses Work With Us
We’ve been shaping commercial landscapes in Johnson County and the Kansas City area for decades.
Our team brings together practical experience, local knowledge, and a commitment to doing things the right way—from the first sketch to the final walkthrough.
The work we do is visible across office parks, campuses, and retail centers throughout the region. Many of our clients stay with us for years, because they know we’ll show up, follow through, and keep their properties looking sharp.
Every project is different. The standard of care stays the same.
Let’s Make Your First Impression Count
You’ve built something worth showing off. Now let’s make sure your landscape reflects that.
At Hermes Landscaping, we design and install commercial landscapes that support your business, reflect your standards, and leave a lasting impression. From entrances to outdoor gathering spaces, we tailor every detail to your goals and your property.
Whether you're managing a single building or an entire campus in Johnson County, we’re here to help your space stand out—for all the right reasons.
Let’s talk about what your landscape could be.
Reach out to Hermes Landscaping today.
Related: What Services Do Commercial Landscaping Companies Offer in Johnson County, KS?
ABOUT THE COMPANY
John T. Hermes, our founder, was a man with a dream and a remarkable blend of business acumen and agricultural passion. After graduating from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Agriculture, he spent a decade in agriculture chemical sales and the military before founding Country Fair Lawns in 1965, which later became Hermes Landscaping. Despite his passing, his vision and passion continue to drive the Hermes team, inspiring them to uphold his legacy and commitment to excellence in the company's endeavors.
