Improving the curb appeal of your home is a good way to raise its market value. Landscaping is a big part of curb appeal, and when you’re still learning how to navigate your lawns and gardens, starting is the hardest part of giving them a makeover. The good news is that you can complete most landscaping tasks by yourself with just a good pair of garden gloves and a few other tools. Here are six tips for helping your home create a better first impression.
Perform Regular Maintenance
Keeping your lawn maintained is the most important part of landscaping. No matter how many pretty plants and trees you have, unkempt grass and weeds will steal the show. Depending on the season and where you live, you’ll either need to mow your lawn once a week or every two weeks. This includes edging and trimming around trees and plants. Additionally, you’ll want to look into your options concerning weed control, fertilizing, and watering, and think about developing a weekly schedule to organize your tasks.
Add Plant Life to Increase Curb Appeal
Once you’re maintaining your lawn, you can begin to add plants, trees, and flowers to liven up the landscape. Whether your goal is to have a masterpiece landscape and full-on self-sustaining garden, or just a crisp looking yard with a few plants, starting simple is the way to go. Put in a couple window boxes, and add a variety of evergreen plants and colorful flowers in the beds around the house. It never hurts to have some native plants throughout the property and along the walkway. Also, a well-placed tree can add value to your home and save you money on the energy bill.
Add Mulch
Mulch can quickly freshen up your landscape beds and make your lawn more vibrant, which is one simple step to improving curb appeal. There are many different types of organic and inorganic mulch to fit any budget (some of them are even free). Mulch is aesthetically pleasing and can be used all over the lawn to cover up barren places or in beds where plants aren’t growing properly. Laying mulch around all your trees will also bring your landscaping up a notch.
Light the Driveway
Another way to enhance your curb appeal is to install lighting along your driveway. Not only does it provide for a safe and welcoming entrance to your home, but it can hide eyesores and highlight focal points in your landscaping, as well as create a festive atmosphere for outdoor events. However, it’s important not to overdo it. Read here for tips on how to light your driveway just right — and while you’re at it, put in a nice new mailbox.
Wash the Exterior
Along with the lawn, the exterior of your house will be among the first things people see as they drive up. Pressure washing not only can transform the appearance of your home, but it could also add to the sale price. You can either rent the equipment and do it yourself, or hire a professional cleaning crew to take care of it.
Spruce Up the Front Door and Porch
Your front door and porch are also important. Replacing the door with a new, shiny one isn’t a bad idea if the door is really old and worn. But even putting a bright coat of paint and changing the knobs on your old door can do wonders for curb appeal. Be sure to declutter the porch and entryway so that people can comfortably enter your home. Putting on handsome new house numbers can also make a big difference.
Summary
These are just a few ideas to assist you in adding value to your home by enhancing its curb appeal. Keep your lawn maintained, tastefully add new plants, trees, and flowers, and spread mulch throughout the property. Put in lighting along your driveway, wash the outside of your house, and show your front door and porch some TLC. If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, it will pay off.
For some other great articles on other home improvement and value adding activities, check out some of our other articles on Lifestyle and Home Design, and learn more about some great solutions and inspirations. Also be sure to check out all of our articles on Backyard Bunkies, Garden Houses and Sheds, and all the various inspirations that we’ve highlighted at TAG Level.
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