You can sketch out a new yard in a few minutes without hiring anyone or learning design software. ESR's free AI Landscape Visualizer takes a photo of your yard, lets you describe the look you want, and redesigns only the yard while keeping your house and existing structures the same. It shows a before-and-after slider, writes a short summary of the design, and lists the real ESR materials it used so you can price the job and order.
It is a planning and visualization tool, not a construction or grading plan. Think of it as a fast way to picture options and pick materials before you spend money. Here is how to use it.
What you need before you start
- One clear photo of the yard you want to redesign (front, back, side, or a problem corner).
- A rough idea of the style or feel you are after.
- Your yard's length and width if you want a materials list with pricing.
- An email address. The tool is free to use, and you also get ESR updates.
Step by step
1. Upload a photo of your yard
Open the Landscape Visualizer and upload your photo. Stand back far enough to capture the whole area you want to change, and keep the house or fence in frame so the AI has a reference to keep fixed.
2. Describe what you want
Type what you are picturing in plain words. Name the style, the materials, and the feel. The more specific you are, the closer the result. Compare these two:
- Vague: "Make it look nicer."
- Specific: "Desert modern front yard with gold decomposed granite, a few large boulders, and low drought-tolerant plants. No grass."
3. Enter your email and generate
Add your email and let it run. The AI redesigns the yard and keeps your house, driveway, and other structures the same, then shows a before-and-after slider you can drag to compare.
4. Read the design and the materials list
You get a short written summary of the concept plus a "Materials in this design" list of the real ESR products it chose. Enter your yard's length and width and the tool builds a shoppable bill of materials with pricing, so you can add it all to cart or request a quote for a larger or farther job.
Tips for a better result
- Shoot in even light. Midday sun creates harsh shadows and blown-out spots. An overcast day or open shade gives the AI cleaner detail to work with.
- Clear the clutter. Move trash cans, hoses, and cars out of frame so they do not end up in the design.
- Name colors and materials. Say "gold decomposed granite" or "gray river rock dry creek bed" instead of just "rock." If you are not sure what to ask for, browse decomposed granite or boulders first.
- Try a few versions. Run it more than once with different descriptions to compare directions before you commit.
- Be realistic about the AI image. It is concept imagery to help you decide, not an exact rendering of the finished build.
What the tool does well, and where a pro still helps
The Visualizer is great for picturing options quickly, trying materials and colors, and getting a ballpark on what a project would cost. It does not handle site-specific drainage, grading, permits, or structural walls. For a complex job, use the AI design as a starting point and bring in a professional designer or contractor for the build details. We cover that tradeoff in AI vs hiring a landscape designer.
From design to materials
Once you like a direction, the materials list tells you what to buy. To double-check quantities, run your measurements through the coverage calculator. For ideas to feed into the tool, see our front yard makeover ideas, and to understand how the before-and-after view works, read before and after AI landscape designs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the AI Landscape Visualizer free?
Yes. It is free to use. You enter an email to run it, and you also get ESR updates.
Does it change my house?
No. The AI redesigns only the yard and keeps your house and existing structures the same so you can picture realistic changes.
What kind of photo works best?
One clear, well-lit photo of the whole area, taken in even light with clutter moved out of frame. Keep the house or fence in view so the AI has a fixed reference.
Can I buy the materials it suggests?
Yes. After you enter your yard's length and width, the tool builds a materials list with pricing that you can add to cart or use to request a quote.
Is this a replacement for a landscape designer?
No. It is a planning and visualization tool. For drainage, grading, permits, structural walls, or complex builds, a professional designer or contractor is still the right call.
Get the materials
Start at the free AI Landscape Visualizer, then shop decomposed granite, boulders, and more. Check quantities with the coverage calculator or request a quote for bulk and long-distance orders. We deliver nationwide from our California yards.