Making improvements to your property is always a good investment. Since the exterior is the first thing people see, the landscaping is a great place to start. Here are some ideas to spiff up your yard and add value to your home.
Well-Maintained Lawn
Keeping an immaculate, lush green lawn goes a long way toward boosting your home’s curb appeal and its value. A properly-maintained lawn can add 10 to 15 percent to a property’s worth. Whether you hire a service or do it yourself, gorgeous grass is considered a sign of success and gives you a sense of pride every time you pull into the drive.
Hardscaping
Once you’ve addressed the lawn, consider adding texture with hardscaping. There are numerous ways to mix the hard with the soft outdoors. Add stone, brick, or concrete walkways, pavers, and planters; any non-living element in your landscaping design. Pavers, including flagstone, add style to a home’s walkways, driveway, or patio. Strategically placed gravel helps keep weeds away, improves drainage, and is inexpensive. In the backyard, a fire pit, outdoor kitchen, or pergola move indoor living outside, something in high demand these days.
Trees And Shrubs
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When adding large plants to your landscape, it’s best to have a plan rather than just putting them in random spots. Hire a landscape designer or sketch your plan yourself. Draw the house and where you’d like to add trees and shrubs (include how large they are). Create texture by mixing flowers, bushes, and various trees, depending on the size of your yard. Large trees can add a significant amount to your home’s value while adding shade and greatly improving the aesthetic.
Native Plants
Indigenous plants can very well save you and future homeowners money and effort, thereby bringing value to your property. Plants in their native environments require less water, fertilizer, and care. They contribute to a thriving ecosystem by attracting local flora and fauna. Native plants can also be used to direct runoff water away from your home’s foundation. An online tool provided by the National Wildlife Federation can direct you to the best plants for your region.
Retaining Wall
If your home needs a retaining wall, make sure the look lends itself to your architecture and landscaping. If your property sits at the bottom of a hill or on uneven ground, you need a wall to help prevent soil erosion and flooding. Prospective buyers will be looking for this feature, and blending the wall with your landscaping can boost property values. Using natural stone or wood can help merge a retaining wall with its surroundings. Consider blocks, bricks, or boulders, depending on your landscape design. They can be used as large planters to showcase colorful flowers. Some retaining walls incorporate steps or water features. You can even turn it into a vertical garden for growing vegetables.
Regardless of which trends appeal to you, the right mix of soft and hard features, colors and materials, and an intentional design can bring big bucks when it’s time to sell. Your home’s curb appeal is the first thing people see, and the right landscaping will draw them in.
Brandon Michaels is a freelance writer and landscape designer from the mountains of California. In all his work, his goal is to get people off their couches and into nature. He loves all things natural: gardening, hiking, even feeding his local raccoons.