10 Best Front Yard Landscaping Tips To Add Instant Curb Appeal
August 30, 2024
Southerners are all about making a good first impression, and of course, so is the real estate industry. Whether doing a drive-by or scrolling through Zillow listings, the first thing any potential buyer will notice about your home is the curb appeal. It sets the standard for what they can expect from the rest of the property and might be the only chance you have to catch their attention. Good landscaping can actually increase your home's value, but the wrong choices can have the opposite effect. So it's not something you want to ignore if you ever plan to sell. Read on for 10 landscaping tips that will improve your curb appeal.
Source: Getty/Chuck Collier
Maintain What You Have
Start off by doing an audit of your current property. Do you need to pull some weeds from the garden? Is your lawn overgrown? What about your patio? Does it need to be power washed, or are there any cracks? By taking care of what's already there, you can assess what your next steps are and, in the meantime, still show that you care about the home.
Source: Darrya/Getty Images
Work With a Professional Landscaper
Chances are, if landscaping were already within your skill set, you wouldn't need to be reading this. Hiring a pro to help you out is important because they have a thorough understanding of how much work is expected for your area, the plants and trees that will thrive there, and what you'll get the best ROI on.
Source: Robert Clay Reed / Getty Images
Consider Privacy
Is your home located on a main road, or do you have a tiny backyard next to your neighbor's doghouse? The more exposed your property is to these kinds of elements, the less appealing it might seem. While you shouldn't set up a barricade (after all, people can't judge what they can't see), it's smart to consider things like tall hedges or a picket fence to create a charming divide between your house and the rest of the world.
Source: Getty/Kateryna Mashkevych
Start Planting
You may love roses and be willing to put in the work to maintain them, but a potential buyer with a brown thumb could look at them as a red flag. (Even if you plan to take the bushes with you, the new owner would still need to fill in the space.) Instead, opt for low-maintenance trees and other plants that make sense for your climate and outdoor area.
Go For Hardscaping
A defined front pathway creates a "Come on in, y'all!" welcome at first sight. Other high-priority elements to consider include a deck or patio and an outdoor kitchen. After all, your yard isn't just for display purposes; it's meant to be frequently used and enjoyed.
Source: Amana Images Inc/Getty
Showcase Your House Number in a Unique Way
The key to a stunning landscape is paying attention to the little details. One way to boost your property's curb appeal is to find an exciting way to display your house number to reflect its style. Does your home have streamlined 1960s ranch flair? Get your house number engraved in a mid-century font on a metal plate. If you have a charming cottage, try hanging the number from a classic white post.
Source: MariuszBlach / Getty Images
Set Up an Irrigation System
An irrigation system in your front yard will keep your grass green and gorgeous and save you a lot of time in maintenance. The key to maintaining a sharp look is keeping everything as low-maintenance as possible. An irrigation system will ensure your yard stays in tip-top shape even when you don't have the time to work on it. Plus, buyers will love it because they won't have to do much to keep the place looking spiffy.
Source: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Create a Conversation Space
There's nothing quite as inviting as a seating area designed for conversation in your front yard or on your porch. Visitors will immediately feel at home in this space. Try adding a fire pit for making s'mores on cool fall nights. Put out colorful throw pillows for a vibrant touch, and make sure guests have a table where they can set food and drinks.
Source: Bruev / Getty Images
Light Up the Night
Lighting up your front yard is a key detail that often gets overlooked in landscaping. Place solar lights along the driveway or lanterns on either side of your entryway. Hang up string lights in a zig-zag fashion above the seating area on your porch. Illuminating your yard will ensure your house is as beautiful at night as it is in the daytime.
Source: Design by Amy Leferink of Interior Impressions / Photo by Mackenzie Merrill
Remember the Extras
Following the above steps makes a worthy canvas for your home, but that doesn't mean it's quite a masterpiece. Painting your door the perfect color, hanging up a pretty wreath, and accenting your porch with potted flowers are all details that will enhance your curb appeal. The goal is to have a welcoming environment that grabs visitors' attention. Everything from the lighting to the doormat matters when creating a stunning landscape.
Source: 10 Best Front Yard Landscaping Tips To Add Instant Curb Appeal Southern Living (July 24, 2024) Quincy Bulin