Curb appeal: We’ve all watched enough renovation shows to know it can have a major impact on your home, but how can you actually introduce more of it to your own front yard?
For all our homeowners out there who aren’t the most DIY-inclined or are lacking an especially green thumb, don’t stress. There is truly no shortage of projects you can do to majorly boost your curb appeal without much time or experience required.
With a little sweat equity, learn how you can turn your front yard into an extension of your living space and greet guests with a first impression they won’t forget.
Planning as the key to curb appeal
Whether you’re ready to completely overhaul your home’s exterior or if your yard is just in need of a little facelift, adding some greenery is the perfect way to add instant curb appeal. However, for even the most experienced homeowner, picking and choosing the right plants can quickly become a challenge.
Before buying out your local plant nursery, be sure to keep these helpful considerations from the National Garden Bureau in mind:
- Assess your home’s style: Are you working with a streamlined modern house or a super cozy cottage? Do you prefer a more classic style or do you lean new age? Before digging your first flower bed, step back and view your home as if you were seeing it for the first time as a potential buyer. What types of flowers would you want to see?
- Weather-related changes: Depending on where you live, the bleak, snowy days of winter can wipe out all your hard work. Instead of only using flowers that bloom in the spring or summer, look toward evergreen shrubs like boxwoods and hollies that will look great year-round and provide your yard with a foundation to build on.
- Consider your proportions: When creating curb appeal, don’t forget to consider the proportions of both your home and front yard. Big properties can benefit from the bold blooms of colorful hydrangeas, but a handful of annual impatiens may be all you need in a small yard.
For those of us who are as far away from being “plant parents” as possible: Sturdy shrubs, flowering perennials and even small trees can be a great way to add greenery to a yard without creating much maintenance work.
To take low maintenance a step further, go with artificial potted plants strategically placed on your front porch. Our condolences to the allegedly invincible succulents we’ve all had to make disappear.
Getting your landscaping off the ground can feel especially challenging when you’re moving into a home where the yard has been a bit neglected. Don’t stress, though: When you buy with Bungalo®, you can rest assured that you’re working with a clean slate so that you can create the yard of your dreams.
Landscaping for curb appeal
OK, you’ve picked out some beautiful flowers and shrubs for your yard … now what?
The important thing to remember is that adding flowers to your yard won’t automatically translate to more curb appeal. Going in with a plan for how you want to organize your plants will help create a more cohesive aesthetic and save you time in the long run.
As you begin to plan the placement of your new greenery, keep these landscaping ideas in mind:
- Garden beds: Building flower beds is an easy way to boost your curb appeal while also maintaining a cohesive look throughout your yard. Keep it simple by lining the pathway to your front door with flowers or go more complex by combining different types of plants and colors to create a visually interesting pattern.
- Add fresh mulch: Nothing dims the colors of bright flowers quite like a bed of old mulch. Not only will it look better, but a layer of fresh mulch will also help discourage weeds and retain moisture — making your job a little easier.
- Create some borders: Once you decide where you’d like to place your flowers, a simple border of bricks can help to boost your curb appeal even more while also preventing your new greenery from taking over your entire yard.
Not only does the right combination of greenery create a more welcoming atmosphere around your home, but the National Association of Realtors explains it can have a direct impact on property value if you ever decide to sell. In fact, research shows that homes with attractive yards and well-done landscaping sell for an average of 7 to 14% more — talk about money going right back into your pocket.
Boosting your home’s value through your front porch
There’s bringing the outdoors in and then there’s bringing the indoors out.
Landscaping isn’t the only way to add to your home’s overall curb appeal. By creating more of a defined space and cozying up your outdoor living area, you can get more out of your yard while also improving the value of your home.
Take a look at your front porch. Does it encourage your guests to sit out and enjoy your yard or does it simply get them to your door? Treating your porch as the centerpiece of the front of your house will help guide your other landscaping decisions and put you on the path to boosting your curb appeal:
- Porch swing: Looking to enjoy an especially sunny day or spend some time outdoors without being directly exposed to the elements? A porch swing can be a great way to add extra seating to your front porch while also creating curb appeal.
- Window boxes: Not really into the idea of digging up your yard? We get that. A flower box is an easy way to introduce more color and visual interest around your porch without having to overhaul your lawn.
- Front door: Speaking of your front door, when was the last time it got a fresh coat of paint? Feel free to use a bold accent color that commands attention or go with a more traditional shade that compliments the rest of your home’s exterior.
One common misperception is that buyers are looking for a completely blank canvas when they move in. Although a potential buyer is definitely interested in adding their own style to a house, there’s something to be said for that move-in ready feeling. Plus, creating a more welcoming space allows buyers to see themselves in their potential new home for years to come.
Whether you’re looking to sell or have long since found your forever home, taking the time to care for your porch is a great way to get even more enjoyment out of your house.
Giving love to the exterior of your house
Now that you’ve put all of this hard work into your home, some monthly and seasonal maintenance can help ensure it looks great for years to come.
As you build out your chore list, you may want to add these tasks as well:
Yard maintenance
Even the most beautiful landscaping and well-cared-for front porch can’t distract from a yard that looks more jungle than it does lawn.
Depending on the climate where you live, you’ll want to mow your lawn once every seven days or at least every other week. Cutting your lawn too short can potentially hurt the grass; to avoid this, most experts say to never cut more than one-third of the grass height at a time. After you’re done mowing, take a quick walk around your flower beds to pluck any new weeds.
Keeping up with raking in the fall is also an easy way to help your lawn thrive and prevent any damage once it snows during the cooler months. Plus, it gives you an excuse to jump in some leaf piles while you’re at it.
Exterior siding
Your home’s siding needs a thorough cleaning about twice a year. Mildew, dirt and other debris can build up and shorten the life of the exterior of your home. Break out the power washer and enjoy having what feels like an entirely new home by the time you’re done.
While you have the power washer out, put it on the lowest setting and rinse off your garage door as well. Using too strong of a setting may damage your door’s finish as well as the weather stripping on the sides. If your door is newly painted or you’re just looking to be on the safe side, washing with mild liquid soap and a soft sponge or cloth can do the trick.
If you don’t have the time to dedicate to your yard, hiring a local professional service can be a great way to keep up with your home without having to carve out the room in your schedule to do so.
Finding the right home for you
Building out your front yard and boosting your curb appeal may take some patience, but just remember it doesn’t have to be an overnight transformation. Gradually putting the time and effort into your yard can majorly pay off in the long run.
For some prospective homeowners, finding a house that has a large yard to take care of is a dream. For others … not so much. We get that. That’s why at Bungalo, we offer homes of all different types and sizes to help ensure the one you move into has all of your must-have features — and none of your have-nots.
Learn more about home ownership with Bungalo. *This article is meant for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as financial, tax, legal, real estate, insurance, or investment advice. Bungalo always encourages you to reach out to an advisor regarding your own situation.
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