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What goes through your mind as you pull into your driveway or walk down the driveway? Does the front of your home look charming, elegant and comfortable, or does it need some sprucing up? Whether you're looking to sell your mortgage, refinance, or improve the acreage, check out these nine surefire ways to improve your attractiveness through landscaping.
1. Develop your lighting design
The right landscape lighting complements even the most unique entrance pathways. This ornate paving and landscaping design draws attention to the expansive porch without skimping on the stone retaining wall.
Landscape lighting increases security levels, enhances the architectural beauty of the home, and creates depth by emphasizing the soft features of the landscape. You will find many landscape lighting ideas, covering everything from simple street lighting to garden lighting that highlights trees, shrubs and tall grass.
2. Be eco-friendly
Whether it's in the desert or in the middle of the forest, eco-friendly home renovations are successful both inside and out. Low plants fit the local ecology in this California garden designed by Pratt Landscape Design. The courtyard swaps a traditional lawn for tall grass with flowers that attract native pollinators.
Gardens featuring native plants not only look great, they also send a signal to buyers that perhaps the tough gardening days are behind them.
3. Show the best fence
Hire a fence installer who balances the beauty of your home and landscape with your privacy preferences. For example, a classic Craftsman style home could benefit from an equally classic white picket fence. A fence adds structure to your property but still gives you the freedom to plant flowers and shrubs however you like.
Put your fence on your monthly home maintenance list to keep it consistent with sidewalks, especially wooden fences.
4. Add structure with hardscape
Large and small landscapes benefit from a bit of structure – especially when it comes to garden planning. Walkways, walls, and stone pillars ensure safety and provide a clean aesthetic while balancing the soft elements in front of you.
In this design by Vizmeg Landscape, visitors' eyes are greeted by stone pillars surrounded by lanterns along the winding cobblestone path behind the house. The design is thoughtful and understated enough not to draw attention to the surrounding greenery.
5. Reflect the design of your home
Experienced landscape architects are inspired by the facade style of your house. The smooth wall of the house above is directly influenced by the Spanish oak landscape. The landscape reflects the home's design with geometric patterns, clean lines and a selection of native plants. The look also proves that less can be more – it adds curb appeal as the walkway is stable, balanced and inviting without being too busy.
6. Emphasize natural elements
Some of the best designed landscapes are created out of the earth or have always been there. Young Landscaping incorporated natural stones into this level lawn, which not only enhances the property but also offers new garden design opportunities.
The value of river rocks, such as stones, pays dividends when used as both a stylish design element and a functional element. Good retaining walls, for example for lawn drainage, especially in gardens with steep slopes.
7. Use shadows
Planting and arranging under trees requires a bit more strategy, but the shade you provide is worth it. The increased shading makes the front yard a versatile outdoor living space, even on the hottest days. While you can't just add a 20-foot oak tree, you can hire a reputable arborist to prune and grow your existing trees.
If you currently lack shade, consider building a gazebo or expanding your screened porch.
8. Choose grass options
Alternative lawns are slowly growing in popularity, especially as homeowners look for low-maintenance landscaping ideas and drought-tolerant lawns. A good choice are ground-level but sprawling evergreen perennials, especially jenny and creeping clover. You can also choose wildflowers, creepers and sheep's ears, which will add structure and a variety of colors to your garden.
9. Consider all seasons
When choosing new plants for your lawn, consider how they will change throughout the year in terms of foliage, color and maintenance level. Even if your tree has beautiful foliage in the fall, you should make sure it enhances the look of your garden in other seasons as well. Be sure to stick to your annual landscape calendar to ensure everything is pruned correctly and planted at the right time each spring.
