Nowadays, homeowners are always looking for ways to improve their property value. What they may not realize is that not all renovations and changes need to occur indoors.
In fact, a home that embraces landscaping can see up to a 12% rise in property value. The question is, what landscaping projects can you take on that will add value without costing a fortune in money and time?
We’re here to share some easy landscaping ideas that will boost your curb appeal and add value to your property. Whether you want to sell soon or simply get more out of your home, you’re in the right place.
Read on for eight easy landscaping ideas that will add value to your home.
1. Start With Well-Placed Trees
Trees are an immediate value-add to your property. They provide shade, give the terrain a more interesting look, and attract more of the local wildlife to your yard.
The trick, when planting trees in your yard, is to make sure that they’re well-placed. Don’t plan them close to the septic system, where the roots may begin to grow into the plumbing. It is also ideal to plant them away from the driveway and keep them at a safe distance from the home to avoid other potential problems.
2. Make a Perfect Pathway
Imagine a cozy, beautiful home from the outside. One of the first things that came to mind was likely a pathway that invites you to the front door.
Make sure that your pathway is weeded and that grass isn’t growing into or over it. You can also increase visual appeal by planting flowers and shrubs along the side of the pathway.
3. Prune and Shape Existing Shrubbery
If your home already has existing shrubbery, make sure that it is pruned and shaped in a way that suits the growth. Round or squared-off shapes often give shrubs a cleaner and more attractive look.
One good rule of thumb is that your landscaping should look just as tidy as your neighbors’. Even if you don’t want to invest in new landscaping projects, maintaining any features you already have will benefit your property value.
4. Incorporate Lighting
Lighting is a major part of creating both an alluring look and increasing the safety of your property. Placing lighting along the pathway, for example, can make it less hazardous to cross through your yard after dark.
Up-lighting is also an affordable way to give your home a regal appearance after dark. Place a few landscaping lights beneath your windows to illuminate your home and give it that high-value look.
5. Fly a Flag
Believe it or not, a flag pole placed in your front yard can increase property value and give your property a stately appearance. Flag poles also make it easier for homeowners to abide by the flag code when flying the American flag if they also want to fly other flags in their yard.
You can find a flag pole for sale at a reasonable price. If you intend to sell in the next few years, make sure to invest in a high-quality flag pole that won’t require repair or replacement anytime soon.
6. Think About Your Local Ecosystem
For good reason, we’re seeing a push toward eco-friendly landscaping. In fact, this is such a widely desired feature that getting the ball rolling will entice tons of buyers when it comes time to sell!
Eco-friendly landscaping involves, first and foremost, the plants that are native to your area. Native plants won’t take over your yard or require conditions that don’t naturally occur in your region (ie plants that require tons of water grown in a desert climate). Plus, native plants are more suited to support your native wildlife, from birds to bees and butterflies.
An eco-friendly garden can also involve things like irrigation, rain barrels (if permitted in your city), and hardscaping options. For example, xeriscaping incorporates hardscaping features into drought-resistant gardens that can withstand high heat and minimal rainfall without requiring a ton of maintenance.
7. Refresh Your Mulch
What’s the easiest thing you can do to give your landscaping a visual and functional boost? Refresh the mulch in your garden beds.
Mulch is a huge help to plants of all kinds. It can help to repress weed growth, provide better moisture retention below ground, and insulate roots and bulbs against extreme temperatures. Plus, a new layer of mulch costs little while giving your yard a much more polished look.
8. Create Hang-Out Spaces
Indoor-outdoor living has reached new heights in the past two years. Homeowners have realized that by adding hang-out spaces in their yard, they create more usable space on their property and more opportunities to make great memories with loved ones.
Embracing indoor-outdoor living doesn’t have to involve a massive remodel. You can do something simple, like install an awning over your patio. You can also build a semi-permanent fire pit using materials like bricks or cement blocks.
To blend your hang-out spaces into the rest of the yard, embrace vining plants (which also create privacy), potted plants, and additional landscape lighting. You’ll be amazed at how a few simple touches will turn your front or backyard into an at-home oasis!
Which Easy Landscaping Ideas Will You Try?
Not all home value-adds involve costly or major renovations. These easy landscaping ideas will make your home more inviting, boost curb appeal, and even create functional spaces that you (and your future buyers) will love. Which ideas will you try out this year?
Looking for more helpful tips and tricks that will refresh your home indoors and out? Take a look out are house content to get inspired, boost your home value, and make your home renovation dreams come true.
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