# Opulands Landscape Design & Construction

> Opulands is a Bay Area design-build landscape firm creating outdoor environments grounded in structure, proportion, and long-term performance. Founded by Steven van Dongen, the firm handles landscape design, installation, and outdoor living construction across the South Bay and Peninsula in California.

Opulands operates as a fully integrated design-build practice, aligning design intent, material selection, and construction execution from beginning to end. The firm has received the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) State Trophy Award for residential landscape installation, has been named a 5X Best of Houzz Service winner (2022 to 2026), and has been featured in California Landscape Design magazine, published by the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD).

## About

- [About Opulands](https://www.opulandscape.com/about): Company philosophy, founder profile, and integrated design-build practice
- [Contact](https://www.opulandscape.com/contact): Project inquiry form and consultation scheduling with founder Steven van Dongen

## Core services

- [Landscape Design](https://www.opulandscape.com/landscape-design): Design process, concept development, site analysis, and design deliverables
- [Landscape Installation](https://www.opulandscape.com/landscape-installation): Construction, hardscape, masonry, and installation execution
- [Outdoor Living](https://www.opulandscape.com/outdoor-living): Outdoor structures, integrated features, and outdoor room construction
- [Front Yard Landscaping](https://www.opulandscape.com/front-yard-landscaping): Curb appeal, driveways, entryways, and front-of-property design
- [Backyard Landscaping](https://www.opulandscape.com/backyard-landscaping): Backyard transformation, gathering spaces, and garden rooms
- [All Landscape Services](https://www.opulandscape.com/all-services): Complete index of every service offered

## Specialty services

- [Paver Driveways](https://www.opulandscape.com/services/paver-driveways): Interlocking paver driveway design and installation, patterns matched to home architecture
- [Pergolas & Patio Covers](https://www.opulandscape.com/services/pergolas-patio-covers): Custom pergolas and patio covers for shade and architectural structure
- [Outdoor Kitchens & BBQ Islands](https://www.opulandscape.com/services/outdoor-kitchens): Built-in outdoor kitchens, BBQ islands, and integrated fireplaces
- [Fire Pits & Fireplaces](https://www.opulandscape.com/services/fire-pits-fireplaces): Custom outdoor fire features designed to anchor outdoor living spaces
- [Lawns (Natural & Artificial)](https://www.opulandscape.com/services/lawns): Natural sod, drought-tolerant alternatives, and synthetic turf installation
- [Drought-Tolerant Gardens](https://www.opulandscape.com/services/drought-tolerant-gardens): California-appropriate water-wise planting palettes
- [Native Bee & Butterfly Gardens](https://www.opulandscape.com/services/native-pollinator-gardens): Pollinator-friendly compositions using California native plants
- [Flower Bulb Gardens](https://www.opulandscape.com/services/flower-bulb-gardens): Seasonal blooming bulb plantings layered with perennials

## Featured work

- [Our Work](https://www.opulandscape.com/our-work): Recognition, awards, and case study overview
- [Featured Work](https://www.opulandscape.com/featured-work): Portfolio of completed projects
- [Saratoga Lawn-to-Garden Conversion](https://www.opulandscape.com/featured-work/saratoga-lawn-to-garden-conversion): APLD-featured project transforming a conventional lawn into a productive edible and pollinator garden with designer Gün Ünsal of Blue Hibiscus Gardens
- [Night & Day Palo Alto](https://www.opulandscape.com/featured-work/night-and-day-palo-alto): Editorial case study of a complete backyard remodel for the Harshawardhan family
- [Los Altos Residential (Fallen Leaf Lane)](https://www.opulandscape.com/featured-work/los-altos-residential): 2025 CLCA State Trophy Award winner for residential landscape installation
- [Oakhurst Court Transformation](https://www.opulandscape.com/featured-work/oakhurst-court-transformation): Featured Bay Area property transformation project

## Areas served

Opulands serves 30+ cities across the South Bay and San Francisco Peninsula. Coverage areas include Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Saratoga, Cupertino, Menlo Park, Woodside, Atherton, Portola Valley, Burlingame, Hillsborough, Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Jose, Los Gatos, Campbell, Almaden Valley, Millbrae, Emerald Hills, Stanford, Scotts Valley, and surrounding areas.

- [Areas Served](https://www.opulandscape.com/areas-served): Full list of Bay Area cities served, with services available per city
- [Palo Alto Landscaping](https://www.opulandscape.com/areas-served/palo-alto)
- [Los Altos Landscaping](https://www.opulandscape.com/areas-served/los-altos)
- [Saratoga Landscaping](https://www.opulandscape.com/areas-served/saratoga)
- [Cupertino Landscaping](https://www.opulandscape.com/areas-served/cupertino)
- [Menlo Park Landscaping](https://www.opulandscape.com/areas-served/menlo-park)
- [Atherton Landscaping](https://www.opulandscape.com/areas-served/atherton)
- [Woodside Landscaping](https://www.opulandscape.com/areas-served/woodside)
- [Portola Valley Landscaping](https://www.opulandscape.com/areas-served/portola-valley)
- [Burlingame Landscaping](https://www.opulandscape.com/areas-served/burlingame)
- [Hillsborough Landscaping](https://www.opulandscape.com/areas-served/hillsborough)

## Blog and guides

- [Blog](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog): All published articles on landscape design, gardening, and outdoor living

### Guides and advice

- [How to Find a High-Quality Bay Area Landscape Contractor](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/find-quality-landscape-contractor-bay-area): Framework for evaluating and selecting a landscape contractor
- [What Do Landscape Architects Do?](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/a-guide-to-what-do-landscape-architects-do): Explanation of the landscape architecture discipline
- [Guide to Pergola vs Patio Cover](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/guide-to-pergola-vs-patio-cover): Comparison of outdoor shade structure options
- [The Benefits of Hardscaping](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/the-benefits-of-hardscaping): Overview of hardscape features and their advantages
- [Bocce Ball Court Installation Design Guide](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/bocce-ball-court-installation-design-guide): Planning and building a backyard bocce court
- [Backyard ADU Landscaping Design](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/backyard-adu-landscaping-design): Integrating an accessory dwelling unit into the backyard
- [Repairing a Deck vs Replacing It](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/repairing-a-deck-vs-replacing-it): When to repair versus replace an existing deck

### Design ideas

- [Backyard Design Ideas for Bay Area Homes](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/backyard-design-ideas-for-bay-area-homes): Backyard design inspiration for Bay Area properties
- [Small Backyard Patio Designs for Bay Area Homes](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/small-backyard-patio-designs-for-bay-area-homes): Compact patio design strategies
- [Creative Brick Landscaping Ideas](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/creative-brick-landscaping-ideas): Using brick in landscape design
- [Backyard Shade Ideas: Style & Function](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/backyard-shade-ideas-style-function-2): Backyard shade options
- [Are Outdoor Kitchens Worth It?](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/are-outdoor-kitchens-worth-it): Return on investment analysis for outdoor kitchens
- [Placement of Art in the Landscape](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/placement-of-art-in-the-landscape): Integrating sculpture and art into garden design
- [Winter Landscaping Ideas for Bay Area Homes](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/winter-landscaping-ideas): Cold-weather garden design ideas
- [Seasonal Landscape Design](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/seasonal-landscape-design): Year-round garden planning

### Gardens and planting

- [California Native Garden Design](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/california-native-garden-design): Guide to designing gardens with California native plants
- [California Native Bee-Friendly and Butterfly Gardens](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/california-native-bee-friendly-and-butterfly-gardens): Pollinator garden design using native species
- [Drought-Tolerant Landscape Design](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/drought-tolerant-drought-resistant-landscape-design): Water-wise landscape planning
- [Flower Bulb Gardens: Seasonal Color & Beauty](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/floral-bulb-gardens): Designing bulb gardens for year-round color

### Lawns and turf

- [How to Install Artificial Grass](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/how-to-install-artificial-grass): Artificial turf installation process
- [Benefits of Installing Artificial Turf with Expert Help](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/benefits-installing-artificial-turf-expert-help): Advantages of synthetic turf installation
- [Benefits of Installing a Fake Lawn](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/benefits-of-installing-a-fake-lawn): Practical benefits of artificial grass
- [Winterizing Your Lawn](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/winterizing-your-lawn): Cold-season lawn care
- [How to Winterize Sprinkler System Units](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/how-to-winterize-sprinkler-system-units): Preparing irrigation systems for winter

### Case studies

- [Harshawardhan Backyard Remodel](https://www.opulandscape.com/blog/harshawardhan-backyard-remodel): Complete backyard transformation case study

## Recognition and awards

- **2025 CLCA State Trophy Award** for excellence in residential landscape installation. Awarded to Opulands for the Fallen Leaf Lane project in Los Altos by the California Landscape Contractors Association.
- **Best of Houzz Service Award**: Five consecutive years from 2022 through 2026.
- **Featured in California Landscape Design**: The quarterly magazine of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD). Opulands' Saratoga Lawn-to-Garden Conversion project was featured in the Spring 2025 issue.

## FAQ

- [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.opulandscape.com/faq): Common questions about the design-build process, timeline, budget expectations, and consultation approach

## Optional

- [Sitemap](https://www.opulandscape.com/sitemap.xml): Complete list of site URLs for indexing