A Total Transformation

After a major remodel took a major toll on the yard, this lakeside bungalow needed a landscape upgrade to match. New lawn. New patio. New retaining wall. Fresh garden. Now, after some serious TLC, this home overlooking Excelsior Bay is the jewel of the block.

Before: Damage from remodeling is an eyesore.

After: A lakeshore cottage with massive curb appeal.

Replaced and reinforced retaining wall

Beyond the retaining wall upgrade, note the new side paver patio with a small arbor to define the space. A bit more private than the front patio, steps in the retaining wall allow easy access from the sidewalk.

Before: Crumbling retaining wall

After: Solid and dependable

Lake Minnetonka front yard landscape design with formal garden, retaining wall, small patio and lawn with four chairs.

Multifaceted Front Yard Landscape with Plenty of Curb appeal

This front yard may be small, but it has lots to offer. The lush lawn is ideal for sun bathing, basking, and taking in the lake. Formal inspired garden plantings along the perimeter make a perfect frame. Don’t you want to be a part of the picture?

Permeable paver walkway leads to front door and steps past new lawn and four lawn chairs.

The elegant paver walkway and patio make a great first impression.

Cafe patio with two chairs and a small table overlooks a bay and boats at the docks. There is a garden in the foreground and a stack of firewood to the left.

Café patio for bistro dining with lakeside vistas. Notice the firewood off to the left? There’s a small, mobile fire pit for the front patio. On those fire-lit evenings, neighbors and passers-by stop for a chat.

Small backyard court yard with a pergola, hot tub, small yard, and several gardens.

Backyard Design Delivers

This modest and charming landscape design continues in the backyard. Tucked between the house and the garage, the same paver patio pattern ties the two spaces together. Small gardens delight. A new fence and matching pergola provide privacy and a sense of enclosure for the hot tub. Can you say “relaxation?”

This front and backyard in Excelsior, MN proves that you don’t need tens of thousands of square feet to create an oasis at home. With careful attention to details, and the help of the right landscape designer (we can help), any yard can be transformed into a landscape.

Small yards | Curb Appeal | Lakeshore Landscaping | Hills and Slopes

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Small Yards

We'll design a small yard that maximizes functionality and style, creating a welcoming environment that feels spacious, personalized, and full of charm.

Curb Appeal

First impressions and focal points for welcoming guests and framing your home.

Lakeshore Landscaping

Lakeshore landscapes that make the most of their best feature: the water! Experienced designers navigate permitting and zoning regulations with ease to create these beautiful outdoor spaces on the water. Southview Design is a Minneapolis – St. Paul landscaping contractor known for shoreline restoration.

Slopes and Hills

Minnesota landscapes in sloping and hilly backyards. Challenging sites are no match for Southview Design's team of landscape architects, designers, and experienced construction crews.


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