Some properties need refinement. Others need a full plan from the start.
North York is one of those places where landscape design can mean completely different things from one street to the next.
Across The Bridle Path, York Mills, and St. Andrew-Windfields, many of our clients already have beautiful custom homes with mature gardens, quality stonework, and a landscape that generally works well — but they want to add something special that makes the property feel more current and more personal. Sometimes one well-designed feature, garden, or outdoor space is enough to give the whole property a new point of view.
In communities like Bayview Village, Willowdale, and Lansing-Westgate, we're often brought in for new custom builds and major rebuilds. When a home is still in the design stage, we can work alongside the homeowner and architect early enough to think about the landscape as part of the whole property — how the house opens to the garden, what you see from inside, how you arrive, and how the outdoor spaces should feel once everything is complete.
Every neighbourhood, different needs
The type of landscape work North York homeowners need often comes down to one thing: are we refining a property that's already built, or helping shape a brand new one from the ground up.
Not a full renovation — just the right idea
In York Mills, St. Andrew-Windfields, Hoggs Hollow, and Bayview Ridge, we find plenty of custom homes where the landscape isn't necessarily lacking. The homes are beautiful, the trees have matured, and much of the original investment is still worth keeping.
But something is missing.
Some homeowners want a more architectural entrance; some want to add a fireplace or a covered lounge area; others want a strong signature feature that gives the property more personality and better reflects who they are today. What we help deliver is the right addition that blends fully with the architecture and existing landscape - refreshing the property without losing its maturity and sense of place.
New custom builds deserve landscape thinking from day one
When designing a custom home, a lot of thought goes into how the interior supports daily life — how you move through the house, where you gather, what you see, and how your privacy is protected.
The landscape deserves the same level of consideration.
Across Willowdale, Lansing-Westgate, Bayview Village, York Mills, and other infill communities in North York, we often get involved while the homeowner and architect are still shaping the property. Early coordination helps us plan how the outdoor space connects to the home, how key views are framed, and how the landscape supports the outdoor lifestyle the owner wants. It also gives homeowners a clearer sense of the landscape investment early on, so they can set aside a budget that brings the same level of quality and thought outdoors.
Every area has its own set of challenges
Depending on the neighbourhood, the challenges that come up during design and construction look pretty different too.
Adding character without undoing what already works
For established homes, the landscape may already have mature planting and quality hardscape worth preserving. The challenge is deciding how to introduce new features so the property feels refreshed while still connected to the existing landscape.
Architecture, materials, proportion, and the surrounding landscape all need careful consideration. One client had a grand home with a front yard that lacked the same presence, so we introduced stronger structures and a more elaborate sense of arrival. Another wanted an artful garden that could soften the hard lines of an ultra-contemporary home. In both cases, the new work was introduced after carefully evaluating what's already there.
A well-judged addition can give an established property a completely new point of view without losing the maturity that made it special in the first place.
Planning the landscape early for custom home construction
When you're building a custom home, the landscape is part of the life you're planning for — where you'll entertain, relax, spend time with family, and enjoy the property once the house is finished.
Getting us involved early gives you more room to shape those outdoor spaces while the architect and homeowner are still making key decisions. It also gives you a much clearer sense of what the landscape you want will cost, while there is still time to plan for it properly.
We often see homeowners spend heavily on the house, then reach the final stages with less budget left for the exterior than they expected. Planning the landscape earlier helps protect the quality of the outdoor living experience, so the finished property feels complete inside and out.
We're proud of our work
Five-star reviews from our clients are the badge we wear.
Clarity from the beginning
We take the time to understand your property, priorities, and investment range before the design takes shape. You'll have a clear sense of what we're creating, where the budget is going, and how the project will come together.
Designed around you
We shape the design around how you live, your home, your site, and what matters most to you. Every idea is considered alongside budget, construction, and maintenance, so the landscape feels personal, distinctive, and realistic to build.
We handle the complicated parts
Permits, grading, budgets, scheduling, and construction can quickly become overwhelming. We manage the moving pieces to keep the project clear and organized, while guiding you through the decisions along the way.
Your design, delivered expertly
We build with trusted specialists who bring deep expertise to every part of the project. Their craftsmanship helps preserve the intent behind each design decision. Together, we deliver a finished landscape with the quality and character you envisioned.
Design with Intention, Built with Care.
We provide full-service residential landscape design and construction. We turn your ideas into a clear, buildable design, then carry that vision through construction with trusted specialists. You get a landscape that is thoughtfully planned, carefully built, and delivered with the same attention from start to finish.
Backyard Design & Build
We design backyards around the way you want to live outside — from long dinners and weekend gatherings to quiet mornings and time by the pool. Patios, decks, outdoor kitchens, pergolas, planting, lighting, and garden areas are considered as part of one complete landscape, so the space feels personal, comfortable, and beautifully put together.
Pool Design & Build
We design the pool as part of the whole backyard experience — how you arrive at it, relax around it, entertain, and move between the house and garden. Pool placement, grading, privacy, cabanas, water features, planting, lighting, and permit requirements are considered together so the finished space feels effortless, private, and fully integrated with the property.
Front Yard Design & Build
We create front yards to create a stronger sense of arrival, elevate curb appeal, and make the home feel more complete from the street. Driveways, walkways, entry gardens, house numbers, lighting, and planting are considered together so the landscape feels connected to the architecture and gives you a front entrance you're proud to come home to.
Garden Design & Build
We design gardens around the look you love, the way you want the space to feel, and how much care you want to give it over time. Planting, colour, texture, seasonality, and site conditions are considered together so the garden feels personal, layered, and enjoyable throughout the year.
Landscape Lighting Design & Build
We design landscape lighting to make the property feel just as considered after dark. Path lighting, architectural lighting, garden lighting, and feature lighting improve safety while adding depth, warmth, and atmosphere, so you can enjoy the landscape well into the evening.
A clear path from idea to completion
From the first conversation through design and construction, we guide the project with a clear process and thoughtful decisions. You always know what comes next, while the experience stays personal, collaborative, and easy to follow.
Get to know your project
We start by understanding what you want from your outdoor space, how you plan to use it, and what you're comfortable investing. We talk through your priorities, ideas, and concerns so we know what the project needs to accomplish.
Learn MoreBuild the right strategy
We look at what your property can support, including site conditions, existing features, bylaws, and permits. This helps us spot opportunities and constraints early and set the right direction for the design.
Learn MoreDevelop the design solution
We bring everything we've learned together into a complete design solution. Each space, feature, and detail is considered as part of the whole, creating a landscape that feels balanced, intentional, and connected to the way you live.
Learn MoreSee and refine the design
Professional drawings and 3D renderings help you see how the landscape will look, feel, and function. We review it together and refine the details until everything feels right.
Learn MoreKnow what you're building
We turn the design into a clear scope and price before construction begins. You'll know what is included, what the project will cost, and what to expect before moving forward.
Learn MoreBring it to life
We build with trusted specialists who bring deep expertise to each part of the project. We carry the design through construction so the finished landscape reflects the quality and character you envisioned.
Learn MoreMore Questions About North York Landscaping
The appropriate investment depends heavily on lot size, grading, hardscape, planting, structures, pools, and the level of finish. We recommend establishing a landscape scope and investment range early so the exterior can be accounted for within the overall custom-home budget.
At Leo Landscape Studio, front yard landscape design in North York starts at $1,200, while backyard landscape design starts at $1,800. Final design fees depend on the size and complexity of the property, the project scope, and the level of documentation required.
A landscape designer should ideally be involved while the architectural plans for the custom home are still being developed. Early coordination allows exterior elevations, entrances, terraces, pool placement, grading, important views, privacy, and construction access to be considered alongside the architecture. It also gives homeowners an early understanding of the landscape investment so it can be included in the overall project budget.
North York homeowners can check their address using the City of Toronto's Ravine Protection mapping and TRCA's Regulated Area Search. These are separate regulatory layers, so it's worth checking both before planning significant landscape or construction work. For greater certainty, TRCA also offers property inquiries that provide information about whether a property is likely to be affected by its regulations and policies.
Landscaping is possible on many North York ravine properties, but the protected area can limit grading, fill, tree work, and certain forms of construction. Toronto's Ravine and Natural Feature Protection By-law requires permits for activities that injure protected trees or alter protected ravine features, including changes to land topography and placing fill. We recommend confirming the protected area early because it can directly influence the layout of patios, pools, retaining walls, and other landscape work. See the City of Toronto's Tree & Ravine Protection page for details.
A mature tree can sometimes be removed for a landscape project, but Toronto requires a permit to injure or remove a protected private tree measuring 30 cm or more in diameter. Construction around a protected tree can also affect its root system and Tree Protection Zone, so we recommend reviewing existing trees before finalizing the location of a pool, patio, or other major landscape feature. See the City of Toronto's Tree & Ravine Permits page for details.
Yes, many North York properties with mature trees can still accommodate a pool, although the trees may significantly influence its location and construction. Tree Protection Zones, excavation, grading, decking, and construction access should be reviewed together before the pool layout is finalized. Toronto also requires zoning approval followed by a Pool Fence Enclosure Permit for an outdoor pool.
Driveway widening in North York is subject to Toronto zoning and City requirements, and a City construction permit is required when widening an existing driveway within the street right-of-way. We recommend confirming the allowable driveway width and access before designing the surrounding entrance, walkway, and front landscape so the final layout can be developed around an approved configuration. See the City of Toronto's Driveway & Walkway Permits page for details.
A retaining wall can often be built near a property line in North York, but its height, location, drainage conditions, and relationship to neighbouring grades need to be reviewed first. Toronto identifies certain retaining walls under one metre on private property as work that may proceed without a building permit, while other conditions can trigger additional requirements. We usually coordinate the retaining wall with the overall grading and drainage plan before determining its final location and height. See the City of Toronto's When Do I Need a Building Permit? page for details.
Picture your North York property, finished.
We'll walk the property together, talk through what's working and what isn't, and map out where to start — whether that's one signature feature that changes how the property feels, or a landscape plan shaped alongside your new build from day one.
Book a Design ConsultationNo pressure, no pitch — just a conversation about your property.
