Landscaping Ideas
That’ll Up Your Home’s Value
In real estate, first impressions really are everything. Many
potential buyers fall in love with a home the moment they pull into the
driveway.
A disheveled or neglected lawn could lead potential buyers to believe
the home is also in disrepair.
But even if you’re not putting your home on the market any time
soon, you might want to invest in a bit of landscaping to up your curb appeal.
It can even increase your home’s value. Carefully-planned
landscaping can add 10 to 15 percent to a home’s value in a hot market.
Here, some collected ideas to get your landscaping vision board
started:
1. Match your
landscaping to your home’s architectural style
Think about it this way: If you have a Craftsman-style home, you
should opt for simple and classic landscaping, e.g. structured bushes and
shrubbery or a bed of brightly colored flowers. Stay away from more modern
additions like koi ponds, or opulent fountains that look like they belong in
Caesar’s Palace.
2. Think sophistication
Sophisticated landscaping elements like curved bed lines and large
island plantings were more likely to sell for a higher price than homes with
basic foundation planting. Additionally landscapes incorporating large
deciduous, evergreen, and annual color plants sold better, too.
Planting beds are a relatively inexpensive, low-lift way to create
design interest and add texture and color. They’re great for defining spaces,
so your lawn doesn’t look so sparse even if the grass is mowed and tidy.
3. Go for year-round
style and plant some trees
Strategic landscaping—especially if you live somewhere with all
four seasons. Pick focal elements for each season, like bulbs for spring,
annuals for summer, shrubs for the fall, and evergreens for the winter.
You really can’t go wrong with trees. They add shade, help get rid
of carbon dioxide in the air, and can even grow fruit! They’re also relatively
inexpensive (although they do take a lot of time and patience to grow!)
Trees might even increase your home’s value, too. But aside from
adding value to your property, trees have a way of making a house feel like a
home.
4. Install an
automatic irrigations system with a weather sensor
Despite the best of intentions, almost no one stands with a hose
long enough and regularly enough to really give plants the right amount of
water. It’ll take the guesswork out of how much and how often to water your
plants and lawn. While it may not be a Pinterest-worthy dream, it’s a super
useful method of protecting your landscaping investment.
5. Increase privacy
Windows are often a big selling point for buyers who want a lot of
natural light and an expansive feel. However, big windows also mean neighbors
and passerby’s can easily peek into your home.
To preserve ambiance but add privacy, opt for soft, airy-textured,
glossy-leaved barrier shrubs just outside the window over fortress-style hedges
or fences.
6. Make your lawn as
low-maintenance as possible
Concerned about water conservation? Opt for a water-smart landscaping. Drought-tolerant
gardens use very little water. Not only do they save new homeowners time on
maintenance, they also help cut water costs. Water-smart landscaping features: Instead
of grass in the front yard, there are landscaping rocks dispersed with planted
bushes and shrubs that need very little water to thrive. It looks great and I
have to do almost no upkeep!
7. When in doubt,
focus on the pathway
It’s recommended to design a pathway that creates anticipation. Ideally,
have it winding with plants or a small hedge on each side.
8. Look into lighting
that’s pretty and functional
You’ve worked so hard to increase your curb appeal—now, make sure
you can see it at all times. Source: Apartment Therapy by Gina Vaynshtey
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