Landscape Design Principles to Increase Curb Appeal

Have you ever taken a walk around your neighbourhood and taken note of certain things that stood out to you? Have you found yourself saying, “I wish my house looked like that?” Perhaps you feel your home’s curb appeal is a little lacking, but you’re not sure what to do about it. It can be hard to figure out where to start, but properly planning your home’s landscaping doesn’t need to be complicated. We’ll share a few ideas on how you can increase the curb appeal of your home, including a few mistakes you should avoid. 

Mistakes to Avoid  

Make sure you have a game plan when it comes to upgrading the landscaping around your home. If you go to your local home and garden store and buy whatever catches your eye, you may end up not only wasting money but getting things that don’t work well for your home. Before you go shopping, make sure to measure the spaces you are looking to fill. This step will save you time, money, and prevent you from driving home with 10 plants when you only have enough space to fit 4. It’s easy to get carried away when surrounded by the beautiful colours and variety of different plants, but if you know your limit, selecting the right plants is a little easier. 

It’s also important to consider the conditions where certain plants and flowers will thrive. Trying to grow certain plants and flowers in the wrong climate or spot in the yard usually doesn’t go well. For example, you may find beautiful flowers that stand out due to their vibrant hues and full appearance. However, if these flowers thrive in partial shade, but you plant it in a spot that gets full sun, you will end up with plants that struggle to survive. It is also important to keep up with the recommended watering and pruning of your plants and flowers in order to maintain the desired appearance. The same goes for your grass. If you cut it too low, it can have dire consequences for its health and appearance.  

Another common mistake many people make is focusing a disproportionate amount of time on the backyard. Many people tend to decorate the backyard the most because it is where they spend most of their time. However, it can be equally important to spend time and money on your front yard. There are three good reasons for this: 

 1) Your home’s curb appeal reflects how your home is viewed by others since no one can see your backyard.  

2) A nicely decorated front yard always makes for a pleasant return home. Who wouldn’t want to return home to a beautifully maintained property?  

3) The appearance of your front yard can have a direct impact on the resale value of your home. A well-maintained front yard is inviting and welcoming. And first impressions are a major factor when it comes to buying or selling a home.  

Getting Started 

Your entryway is one of the main focal points of your home. Therefore, you want it to make a great first impression. Sprucing up its appearance will not only do that, but it can also make a lasting impression, too. Try adding a seasonal or ‘welcome’ wreath that is proportional to your front door. Even if it is not a holiday, you can find beautiful wreaths decorated with greenery that will give your front door some character, beauty, and invite visitors in. A nice welcome sign or doormat is another relatively small addition that can really spruce up your entryway. 

Look at the Whole House  

As you plan the landscaping for your home, make sure the plants, flowers, and colours you choose work well together to create the atmosphere you want to project. Try not to overdecorate one area of the property and leave another area bare. Adding some vibrant greenery along the front walkway and entry to your home can really liven up its appearance. A few well-placed lights can also enhance the atmosphere and create a beautiful look during evening hours. 

Consider Shapes and Proportions 

Not only is it important to make sure your plants and décor fit in the spaces you plan to put them, but it’s also just as important to consider how big the plants will eventually grow. A plant may start out small but then bloom into a large bush. Is there enough room for that much growth? Also, consider the shape of the plant and its natural growth pattern. Does the plant grow vertical, horizontal, or randomly?  These tasks can take some thought and planning, so if you’re short on time, you might want to contact a local landscaping professional to assist with the process. An expert can make the whole project much easier to complete.  

Be Careful with Colour  

Choose your colour palette prior to purchasing any new plants or flowers to ensure the colours coordinate well with each other and complement the exterior of your home. Too many colours or too much of one colour may be overwhelming and distracting. Too little colour may make your landscaping seem drab and sparse. If possible, group some of the plants and flowers you are considering at the store to see how they blend together. Ultimately, they should accent your yard, not dominate it. If you don’t have an eye for colour, or if you're unsure of what colours best compliment the exterior of your home, consult a professional for advice. 

Related Topic: Top 10 Colourful Plant Choices 

Remember Hardscaping 

Adding stones, bricks, and boulders strategically throughout your landscaping can produce a dramatic effect that can really set your yard apart from other homes in your neighbourhood. These hardscape options can be used separately or in combination to complement your existing landscaping. Including a hardscaped project can also help improve the look and value of your home. In addition, the time and resources required to maintain a hardscape project are usually pretty minimal. 

Call in the Pros 

Now that you know some of the basic landscape principles required to help improve the curb appeal of your home, it’s time to put what you’ve learned into action. 

A beautifully landscaped and well-maintained yard can really make your home stand out in a positive way. Well-designed landscaping is not only attractive, but it can also add value to your home. But sometimes finding the time to apply and maintain even the basic principles of landscaping can be a challenge. If this is the case, call in the local landscaping professionals at The Grounds Guys to help. We have the knowledge, experience, and expertise to put it all together for you and make your home the envy of the neighbourhood.