Serving the Des Moines metro & Central Iowa
Free 2D design on qualifying projects · 10-year hardscape warranty (515) 219-4578
Larkin Landscape and Design
Service Area

Hardscaping And Landscaping In Urbandale, IA

Hardscaping and landscape design for Urbandale yards, with the kind of finish that fits a suburb with a little city edge.

Landscape Design and Hardscaping for Urbandale Yards

Urbandale has its own personality, a suburban calm with just enough city edge, and your outdoor space should carry that same balance. Maybe you have pictured a patio where everyone naturally ends up at the end of the night, or a fire pit that makes chilly evenings the best part of the week. Or maybe it is something practical, like a retaining wall that solves a slope problem but still looks like it belongs.

That is where we come in. At Larkin Landscape & Design, we shape spaces that fit your home, your family, and the way you live outdoors. Start with our hardscaping services, or the full-service landscaping that pulls the whole yard together.

What Urbandale homeowners hire us for

Design first, so you see it before we dig

Custom designs pull everything together instead of leaving the yard as piecemeal add-ons. Every project starts with a free estimate, and qualifying full projects include a free 2D design.

Every Urbandale project starts with landscape design: a 2D plan you can see before we break ground, so there are no surprises about layout, scale, or how it fits your home.

Patios, kitchens, and hardscaping

Custom paver patios built to handle Iowa weather and plenty of foot traffic.

Walkways and garden paths that make the yard easy, and good-looking, to move through.

Retaining walls that keep soil in place and add a clean, finished look, backed by our 10-year hardscape warranty.

Outdoor kitchens, from a simple grilling station to a full outdoor living space, plus wood and gas fire pits.

Planting and landscaping

Bed renovations with new plants, shrubs, and trees that thrive here in Iowa, plus seasonal planting that keeps the yard interesting past summer.

Outdoor lighting that doubles as security and atmosphere, and water features, from ponds to koi to fountains, for the bit of calm every backyard needs.

Why Choose Us for Your Urbandale Upgrade

Our planning keeps you informed at every stage, so you always know what is happening and when. The 2D design settles the final layout before work begins, which takes the guesswork out and keeps the build aligned with your vision.

Urbandale weather runs from freezing winters to hot, humid summers, and your features need to handle all of it. We use installation methods and materials chosen for local soil, drainage, and temperature swings, so you get spaces built to hold up.

The angle of a step, the spacing of pavers, the way lighting catches a bed at night, it all matters. Our work focuses on clean lines and structurally sound builds that look polished from day one.

Landscaping and hardscaping in Urbandale can feel like a lot, but it does not have to. We walk you through each step and explain the why behind our choices. Request your free estimate and we will map out your Urbandale backyard.

The Work

Recent work across the Des Moines metro

Front-yard bed rebuilds, stacked-stone walls, and stone walkways are the kind of design-led work Urbandale homeowners ask about, and the same crews build it across the metro.

Every photo here is real Larkin work from our own job sites, never stock.

Browse the project gallery
Front entry planting beds with dark mulch, a curved walkway, and new sod by Larkin Landscape and Design
Curved stacked-stone landscape wall with a rock mulch bed and new plantings by Larkin Landscape and Design
Stone walkway with a contrasting border between fresh planting beds by Larkin Landscape and Design

Built for Iowa's Climate

Distinct zones for dining, cooking, lounging, or play make a yard feel larger and more intentional, and that zoning only works if the build underneath holds up.

We use pavers, retaining blocks, and base materials chosen for shifting soil and extreme temperature changes, set on proper compaction and drainage.

Drainage solutions are commonly built into patios, retaining walls, and beds to prevent pooling, erosion, and strain on the foundation.

The result is hardscaping that is built to hold up through Iowa winters and summers, not just look good the first season.

How Hardscaping and Landscaping Make an Urbandale Yard Better

Distinct areas for dining, cooking, lounging, or play make a yard feel larger and more intentional. Instead of one open space, each zone is designed for its own mood and use, which makes the whole yard more comfortable to be in.

Smooth pathways, well-placed lighting, and thoughtful seating make the yard inviting at any time of day. When the design supports natural movement, you find yourself out there more often, for morning coffee, evening unwinding, or weekend grilling.

Small comforts like shade, windbreaks, and soft lighting make the time outside easier to enjoy.

Hardscape features are long-lasting and add value you can see. A well-designed patio, fire pit, or retaining wall signals quality and thoughtful investment to anyone who looks at the home.

Landscaping brings softness, adds dimension, and boosts curb appeal, so you can personalize the property in a way that still feels natural.

Put together, the two turn a plain lot into an outdoor space that fits Urbandale: comfortable to use, easy on upkeep, and built to hold up to Iowa weather.

Verified Google Reviews

What Central Iowa homeowners say

  • “Andrew was friendly and knowledgeable, and really took the time to understand my landscaping needs. He also delivered exactly what I wanted for an affordable price and great quality. My landscaping looks so much more presentable and has added value to my house.…”

    Alex Glenn
    Verified Google review
  • “From start to finish my experience with Larkin Landscaping has been phenomenal. The quote was spot on. He was able to adjust the plant choices to meet my preferences.…”

    Mollie Yazzie
    Verified Google review

5.0★ across 27 Google reviews · Read all reviews on Google

FAQs

Urbandale project questions, answered

Do your designs work for smaller yards in Urbandale?
Yes. Smaller spaces often benefit the most from intentional hardscaping. Smart layout, vertical features, and clear zoning can make a compact yard feel open and functional.
Does hardscaping reduce yard maintenance?
It can. Patios, walkways, and structured beds cut down on mowing, weeding, and watering, which lowers upkeep over time.
Can you fix drainage or erosion issues during a hardscape build?
Yes. Drainage solutions are commonly built into patios, retaining walls, and bed designs to prevent pooling and erosion and to protect the foundation.
How far ahead should I plan a project for spring or summer?
Spring fills the fastest, so earlier planning gives you more room to hit your preferred season. Your written estimate confirms the timeline for your specific project.
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Free 2D design on qualifying projects · 10-year hardscape warranty · We never sell your info.
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