Custom Living Walls & Vertical Gardens | Orange County, CA

Design • Build • Grow

Turning ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences.

Lake Forest

Living Walls, Vertical Gardens & Outdoor Design Specialists

At Elevation Living Walls, we design and build custom living wall installations and sustainable landscape designs throughout Lake Forest and the surrounding communities. Our work bridges modern architecture with nature, bringing biophilic design to the master-planned neighborhoods, corporate campuses, and luxury homes that define this growing South Orange County city.

From the hillside estates and planned communities to Lake Forest's thriving business parks, our living wall systems bring natural texture and life to the built environment — indoors and out.

Whether you're an architect seeking a performance-driven vertical garden system or a homeowner looking to create a lush outdoor retreat, our design-build team handles every phase — from initial concept and fabrication to professional installation and ongoing maintenance. Each wall is engineered for performance, crafted for beauty, and designed to thrive in Southern California's climate.

Architectural landscape plan for a Newport Beach property showing living wall placement, irrigation layout, and grading contours designed by Elevation Living Walls.

Our Expertise Includes:

Living walls & vertical gardens that transform interiors and exteriors

Landscape design & construction tailored to your site and style

Irrigation systems designed for efficiency and plant health

Architectural lighting to highlight your spaces beautifully at night

Grading, concrete, and paving for functional and durable foundations

Water features & fountains that bring movement and tranquility

Our expertise goes beyond plants and planters — we integrate landscape architecture, irrigation, lighting, and construction into one cohesive process. This ensures every living wall performs beautifully and lasts for years, whether indoors or out. From coastal residences to boutique retail and hospitality projects, we bring precision, artistry, and horticultural intelligence to every design.

Where Nature Meets Suburban Living

In Lake Forest, we draw inspiration from the sweeping canyon wilderness and open ridgelines that frame this beautifully planned community — creating living walls and vertical gardens that bring the natural world into homes, offices, and shared spaces. Our installations blend sustainability, craftsmanship, and California's native plant heritage to create environments that feel both refined and deeply connected to the spectacular landscape surrounding Lake Forest.

F.A.Q. Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to common questions we receive from Lake Forest homeowners, designers, and builders about living walls and vertical gardens.

Are Living Walls good for homes near the inner coastal region?

Absolutely. Our living wall systems are designed for the inner coastal climates in Lake Forest, with materials and plant selections that resist salt air and thrive year-round.

Are Living-Walls high maintenance?

Depending on what system you deploy there will be different maintenance requirements. However, you can expect plants to grow and in so doing they will need trimming accordingly. It is important to keep a close eye on the soil. Too much or too little water will create challenges to the plants. Soil is the leading indicator of a health.

What do Living-Walls cost?

There are a lot of variables to consider be it indoor or outdoor, edible or ornamental plants. Generally speaking installed system cost approximately $130 - $250 per square foot depending on the quality of the system and the company you work with.

Are Living-Walls worth it?

Wow. There are innumerable benefits, but here are just a few of our favorites:
Improved Air Quality- Living walls can filter pollutants and toxins from the air, improving indoor air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
Thermal Insulation- Green walls act as natural insulators, helping to regulate indoor temperatures. This can reduce heating and cooling costs by providing an extra layer of insulation.
Noise Reduction- The plants and their growing medium can help absorb and deflect sound, making living walls effective at reducing noise pollution in both indoor and outdoor environments.
Enhanced Aesthetics- Living walls provide a visually appealing and dynamic element to any space. They can transform dull walls into vibrant, living art pieces, enhancing the overall design and ambiance.
Biophilic Design Benefits- Incorporating living walls into spaces aligns with biophilic design principles, which emphasize the human connection to nature. This can improve occupants' well-being, reducing stress and increasing productivity.
Increased Property Value- A well-maintained living wall can enhance the appeal and value of a property. It's a unique selling point that differentiates a property from others in the market.
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Support- Living walls can support local biodiversity by providing habitats for insects and birds, contributing to the ecological health of urban environments.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact- By integrating plants into urban settings, living walls contribute to sustainable building practices, reducing the overall carbon footprint and promoting environmental stewardship.
Brand Image and Corporate Responsibility- For businesses, living walls can enhance corporate image by demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. This can resonate positively with clients, customers, and employees.
Health and Wellness- Exposure to plants and greenery has been shown to improve mental health and well-being. Living walls can create a more pleasant and healthier environment for occupants.

How long to Living-Walls last?

We have walls that have been installed and thriving for over 8 years with no plant swaps or substitutions. With proper care and feeding a vertical garden will last as long as a traditional garden plant. Dr Craig Kolodge taught me that the old decaying roots (also called root fluff) become the new soil by which the plants feed in a carbon exchange for sugar.

How long does it take to install a Living-Walls?

A basic residential wall, ranging in size from 40-80 SQF should take 3-5 days. Our typical residential installs take 1-2 days for the hardware and 1-2 days of planting, which are typically conducted offsite. Indoor walls typically take longer.

Can you make your own Living-Wall?

There are a lot of DIY resources available including kits that we sell. Youtube and Pinterest are good resources for such, but it is important to get an engineered system that will allow the plants to mimic a natural environment that would include good soil health, proper irrigation, drainage, circulation and consideration for exposure to the sun.

What are the disadvantages of Living-Walls?

Similar to a salt water fish tank, living walls are remarkable and require proper care and feeding to stay remarkable.

Do Living-Walls create moisture on my wall?

Our system is offset from the wall substrate so there is proper air-flow and no direct contact with the wall. When considering a vertical garden it is important to find a system that will not introduce mold or regular moisture to the wall surface.

Do Living-Walls create moisture on my wall?

Our system is offset from the wall substrate so there is proper air-flow and no direct contact with the wall. When considering a vertical garden it is important to find a system that will not introduce mold or regular moisture to the wall surface.

How often should I water a Living-Walls?

We water our greenwalls 2-3 min every other day in summer and we adjust down seasonally as needed. Every location is unique and will require adjustments accordingly. Our system is engineered for sustainability and requires less water than most, and each tray is watered individually as opposed to needing water to cascade from above.

Designer maintaining a living wall installation in a Newport Beach home, showing lush coastal plant growth.

Our Top 5 Outdoor Landscape Spots in Lake Forest

Explore the outdoor spaces that define Lake Forest — where canyon wilderness, rolling hills, and thoughtfully designed community parks come together in one of South Orange County's most scenic cities.

Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park

A stunning 2,500-acre wilderness preserve featuring oak woodland, seasonal streams, and dramatic sandstone formations. One of Orange County's most beloved natural areas and a constant inspiration for the drought-tolerant, habitat-driven plant palettes we use in every local installation.

ocparks.com/parks-trails/whiting-ranch-wilderness-park

Etnies Skate Park & Community Recreation Area

One of the largest free public skate parks in the world, surrounded by open green space and community recreation facilities. A reflection of Lake Forest's commitment to active, well-designed outdoor spaces for all residents.

lakeforestca.gov

Lake Forest Sports Park

A beautifully maintained multi-use sports and recreation facility featuring expansive open lawns, native-adjacent plantings, and well-designed outdoor gathering spaces. A model for how sustainable landscape design can serve an active community.

lakeforestca.gov

Serrano Creek Park & Trail

A scenic riparian corridor winding through native willow woodland and seasonal wetlands through the heart of Lake Forest. A living example of how California's natural waterways create rich, layered landscapes — and a guiding reference for the native species we incorporate into our vertical garden designs.

lakeforestca.gov

Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

Bordering Lake Forest to the south, this 4,500-acre wilderness preserve offers vast oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, and canyon habitat. A defining natural feature of the region and a constant source of inspiration for sustainable, ecologically-rooted landscape design.

ocparks.com/alisowood

Living Wall & Vertical Garden News

When Green Becomes Art: Living Wall Design | Elevation

When Green Becomes Art: Living Wall Design | Elevation

Discover how Elevation Living Walls transform interior spaces into functional art, combining biophilic beauty with acoustic performance, sustainability, and client well-being. ...more

Living Walls ,Design Trends &Biophilic Design

August 14, 20251 min read

The Wall That Breathes: Living Design | Elevation

The Wall That Breathes: Living Design | Elevation

Transform flat walls into living art. Discover how living walls bring biophilic design, indoor greenery, and sustainable style to luxury spaces with Elevation Living Walls. ...more

Design Trends

July 31, 20253 min read

What Does Your Space Say About You? | Elevation

What Does Your Space Say About You? | Elevation

Discover how living walls create unforgettable first impressions, enhance wellness, and communicate your brand’s values. Explore the benefits of biophilic design and how a living wall can transform an... ...more

Living Walls ,Design Trends

July 24, 20252 min read

Custom Living Walls for Remarkable Spaces | Elevation

Custom Living Walls for Remarkable Spaces | Elevation

Transform indoor and outdoor spaces with Elevation Living Walls. We create custom biophilic designs that bring beauty, wellness, and sustainability to any space through stunning, nature-filled vertica... ...more

Living Walls ,Design Trends &Biophilic Design

July 10, 20253 min read

5 Questions Designers Should Ask Clients | Elevation

5 Questions Designers Should Ask Clients | Elevation

Discover the 5 essential questions Elevation Living Walls asks to uncover client vision and elevate design. Perfect for architects and designers seeking purposeful, artful outcomes. ...more

Living Walls ,Design Trends &Biophilic Design

June 26, 20252 min read

Architectural Pottery + Living Walls | Elevation

Architectural Pottery + Living Walls | Elevation

Discover how pairing Habitudes™ architectural pottery with Elevation Living Walls creates luxurious, biophilic spaces through sustainable design and indoor greenery. ...more

Living Walls ,Design Trends &Biophilic Design

June 19, 20253 min read