A well-maintained landscape is one of the best ways to improve curb appeal. Regularly mowing the lawn, removing weeds and debris from pathways and clearing away fallen leaves helps your garden look neat and tidy.
A fresh coat of paint on your mailbox or front door also makes a big difference. New light fixtures are another quick, budget-friendly fix that amplifies your home’s exterior.
1. Flowering Shrubs
A luscious garden filled with flowering shrubs is one of the best ways to increase your home’s curb appeal. These eye-catching plants are easy to grow and make the perfect compliment to any front yard landscape.
Keep in mind the size the shrubs will be at maturity before you select them to ensure they fit with the proportions of your home. For instance, small flowers don’t work well with large homes with flat fronts.
Evergreen shrubs like dwarf Japanese cedar and nandina provide four-season beauty (shown here with ‘Firepower’ cultivar). Add color by planting flowering shrubs such as lilacs or viburnum, or plant perennial flowers such as lavender or coneflowers alongside them for a burst of spring or summer blooms. The trick is to create sight lines that draw eyes toward the front door.
2. Creative Containers
A front yard garden can add a lot to a home’s curb appeal, particularly if the flowering shrubs are combined with containers and a well-defined walkway. This is especially true if the space is small. Annual impatiens lining a path brighten a postage-stamp-sized landscape and lead visitors beautifully to the home.
Potential homeowners that aren’t gardeners will be put off by a landscape that needs a lot of upkeep, so be sure to choose flowers like overflowing pots of Supertunia Bordeaux(r) petunias and pink geraniums that don’t leave petals or seed pods everywhere and low-maintenance shrubs.
Other additions like a gate or arbor can also elevate your garden and increase curb appeal. Look for kits or prefab sections that easily connect for a quick project.
3. Let Your Personality Shine
The right combination of garden elements can add personality to your home’s curb appeal. For instance, a well-maintained front lawn with a few flowering shrubs can instantly spruce up your entranceway.
Alternatively, consider an accent plant like a bush or tree that frames your house and entranceway. Grouping plants of varying heights on either side of the walkway can also create a focal point that makes your home look inviting and well cared for.
Remember, potential buyers will see your garden even when it’s bare or dormant. Keep this in mind when choosing your plantings and choose flowers, shrubs, or trees that look good all four seasons. For example, opt for petunias that don’t litter the ground with petals and seed pods and avoid shrubs that require too much pruning.
4. Garden Bones
The “bones” of a garden, such as trees and shrubbery, can add a lot to a home’s curb appeal. These are the foundation for your blooms, so make sure they’re healthy and trimmed before adding color.
The bones of a front yard also include the driveway and walkways, which can easily be upgraded with a fresh coat of paint or resurfacing, de Jong says. “It’s something you can do in a day or weekend that will make a huge difference,” she says.
And a well-maintained lawn is essential to a home’s overall desirability, experts say. Mowing regularly, mulching, removing dead plants, and trimming shrubs all contribute to a landscape that’s lush and attractive.
5. Well-Maintained Lawn
A well-maintained lawn is one of the most straightforward ways to improve curb appeal. Mow regularly, rake leaves and pull weeds, and fertilize your grass in the fall to ensure it grows thick and healthy.
Garden beds add color, texture and personality to your landscape. They also signal to passersby that your yard is a welcoming, livable space. Edge your flower beds with edging materials to keep them neat and tidy.
A freshly painted front door and mailbox are another easy, budget-friendly way to boost your home’s curb appeal. Choose a paint that matches the trim of your house for a cohesive look.