There is compelling evidence that improving your interior design can instantly increase the value of your home. These range from one-day projects, such as changing the color of the front door, to larger home renovations that take more time, such as carpet removal, kitchen updates, and bathroom renovations. But this idea of increasing home value also translates to outdoor spaces.
"Just as important as choosing the right paint color, a cohesive plant palette provides a level of sophistication and balance, and a well-designed landscape adds value to a home," says Amy Hovis, principal of Eden Garden Design in Austin. Landscape design company. "It enhances the property as a whole and creates an element of magic that is otherwise difficult to achieve."
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To that end, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) notes that professional landscaping can add 15-20% to a home's total value. That being said, if you plan to resell in the near future, remember that you need to balance beautiful design with the amount of maintenance required.
When in doubt, the most important things to focus on are clean presentation, easy plant care and simple, punchy features. "Any landscape or garden requires regular maintenance, but a well-designed landscape filled with native and adapted plants can be relatively low-maintenance [and require less water]," Hovis notes. "There is beauty in celebrating what naturally occurs in nature, in embracing the ebb and flow of the changing seasons and plant cycles." Whether you're planning to sell your home in the near future or just want to improve your existing curb appeal, consider these great exterior upgrades.
RELATED: 6 Affordable Renovations That Will Increase Your Home's Value
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Add solar light
Lighting can instantly add a high level of sophistication to your outdoor space, but wiring is often time-consuming and expensive. If something goes wrong, it can be expensive and difficult to fix. Alternatively, consider solar lighting. "Solar lighting is very popular, so you can find a variety of styles," says Daniel Nash, project manager and designer at Freemodel. "For a more minimalist look, you can find smaller solar lights that can easily be placed out of sight to serve their purpose."
Bring solar lights to your walkways (they should be away from foot traffic) or place lights around your yard to strategically highlight garden features; They act as beams on the outer part of the wall. Pro tip: Be sure to clean the surface of your solar lanterns regularly so they get enough sunlight throughout the day.
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Create a simple front yard
A covered porch off your entryway creates an extension of your indoor living space while providing an inviting and intimate outdoor retreat. It sounds scary, but it can be solved with little difficulty. "You can create a private patio by creating a small walled area in your driveway with fine gravel and plants," says Hovis. "A simple steel gazebo on frame creates an outdoor house."
Here is a step-by-step guide for Hovis.
Be sure to level the area and address drainage issues.
Add a compact road base to the entire area to create a strong support structure.
Before adding fine gravel, tamp the road base. "This step is essential to avoid stepping on a soft gravel yard," says Hovis.
Add fine gravel to the area and leave the area for planting.
Planting pockets can be added throughout the area by digging large holes and adding good soil before planting. "After planting, cover the seedbed with a layer of fine gravel to create an overall look," says Hovis.
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Add beautiful plants
Whether you have limited space to work with in your outdoor space or you're looking for an easy way to add color and brightness, planters with native plants are an easy-to-use option. "In addition to adding color to your garden, these flowering plants will provide native bees and other insects with food in the form of nectar and pollen that grass does not have," says Anton Ledzin, a planta specialist.
Ledin offers some tips for easily integrating planters into your outdoor space:
Choose three to five similarly styled pots or planters and arrange them together.
Place containers on either side of the entrance.
Add pots to the corners of the bridge
Consider rectangular planters that create more aesthetically pleasing beds.
"You can choose different plants, but keep one type of plant in each container," Ledin says. "The options are seemingly endless when selecting annuals, but remember to choose ones that match the light level where the containers will be placed."
Don't like big flowers in bloom? Choose attractive foliage or grasses that are good for low light conditions. Succulents are another great choice because they are low maintenance and require minimal watering.
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Include a plant with excellent properties
In addition to flower beds and potted plants, include one or two large trees in your garden if space permits. Sticking to one or two large factories naturally gives attention to each without creating a maintenance burden.
"Sometimes a single tree or large plant can be enough to make a big difference in an empty space," says Ledin. "Options can be a small growing tree or a large shrub, and there are many options to choose from depending on your hardiness zone and climate."
Some options include Japanese maples with golden, variegated or red leaves, flowering trees such as magnolias or dogwoods and oaks, aspen, sassafras and hawthorn that show fall color. Smaller fruit trees are also a good option, says Ledin.
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Create a beautiful terrace
Building a deck is another way to "increase" the square footage of your home. It doesn't have to be a big space or a big project. "The small fenced area, which will soon be covered in vines, provides a comfortable space to coexist with the natural world," says Hovis.
Consider your landscaping needs and preferences (decks, patios and walkways) and let yourself be guided. Once these aspects are covered, fill them with native plants that require minimal maintenance and attract birds, bees and butterflies.
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Cover with mulch or rocks
Adding mulch or rocks will quickly eliminate "mess" and clutter in the yard. Best of all, this DIY project is inexpensive, easy to make, and actually helps reduce yard maintenance. “First, it helps retain moisture by blocking sunlight. It helps keep weeds off the surface,” says Nash. "Second, [it] creates a clean, cohesive look while keeping the overall landscape cohesive. It will appeal to potential buyers because it's a low-maintenance turf option."
You can place mulch or stones in key areas, such as flower beds, paths and around fences. Stone is best suited for arid or desert climates, but it can work anywhere. Mulch needs to be kept somewhat moist and can attract insects and termites where it dries out in dry weather. It is best used in areas with constant rainfall.
