How Smart Landscaping Choices Can Add Value to Your Home

First impressions matter. When people look at your home, you want them to have the same feeling of comfort, safety, and joy as you do. Mowing the lawn and keeping up with other basic lawn care items won’t always be the best investment into your outdoor living space, however. Sometimes making a few smart landscaping improvements can be the best way to boost curb appeal and your home’s resale value.

Why Landscaping is a Good Investment

When it comes to home improvements, most other projects come nowhere near matching the return on investment (ROI) as landscaping projects.

Boosts Property Value

One of the easiest ways to increase property value is to make a few strategic landscaping upgrades, especially to your front yard. The American Society of Landscape Architects says that professional landscaping can boost a home’s resale value by as much as 20%. That makes investing in professional landscape services one of the best ROI renovations you can make to your property.

Entices Potential Buyers

First impressions, good or bad, will stick with potential buyers; it’s basic psychology. The “halo effect” is when people perceive something favorably long term based on a good initial impression. Tap into the halo effect with a beautifully sculpted front lawn, and potential home buyers will be more likely to view other areas of your home more favorably, even if they are completely unrelated to your yard.

Enhances Your Comfort

Not every home improvement project has to be centered on resale value or ROI. Sometimes your comfort is what’s most important. Your yard can be more than just your yard. With the right landscaping, you can transform your outdoor living space into your own oasis.

Supports Local Ecosystem

A landscape lush with greenery—especially native plants—not only looks great, but can be a haven for local wildlife, including pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Smart Landscape Design Choices that Improve Home Value

Not all design choices are equal. Investing in the following options are some of the smartest ways to boost your home’s value.

Flower Beds

Planting flowers and other greenery is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to increase curb appeal. Drought-tolerant perennials like coneflowers are particularly good investments as they are low-maintenance plants that can live for up to 10 years with proper care, slashing upkeep costs while still looking great.

Installing irrigation systems can also improve home value and reduce maintenance work, a win-win for busy homeowners. Hiding unsightly drip lines with fresh mulch can also improve aesthetic value without sacrificing functionality.

Water Features

There is perhaps no hardscaping project that enhances curb appeal quite like the installation of a water feature. Pools are classic installations for a reason: they look great, provide a cool place to relax in warmer seasons, and invite social connections. Pools don’t just look great, though; they can also substantially boost property value. According to the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors, houses with well-maintained pools can boast up to 8% higher listing prices than similar homes without one.

Pools aren’t the only option when considering water features, though. Ponds, bird baths, rain curtains, bubblers, and fountains are all eye-catching features that can add tranquility to your space.

Walkways

Well-designed and maintained walkways can look great while protecting a manicured yard from foot traffic. Pavers, especially, add a unique look that can make a space more appealing to homeowners and potential buyers alike.

One factor to keep in mind with walkway installation is accessibility, as homes with ADA-compliant accessibility features can substantially increase the value of a home. Choosing wider pavers and having them professionally installed can ensure the walkway remains accessible.

Fire Pits

A fire pit adds warmth to your space, both literally and figuratively. It creates a focal point for social gatherings and adds an ambiance that’s tough to beat. While a fire pit may not necessarily have the highest ROI among home improvement projects, it does have an incredibly high satisfaction rate among those who install them.

Outdoor Kitchens

Take mealtimes outdoors with a properly designed outdoor kitchen. These installations are perfect for creating memories as well as increasing your home’s resale value. Some realtors estimate that a well-designed outside kitchen “can add anywhere from 55% to 200% of its cost to your home’s value.”

Outdoor Lighting

Why go through the effort of crafting a dazzling outdoor space if you can’t see it? The right landscape lighting can highlight key features of your space, enhancing its overall looks and extending the hours you can enjoy it.

Professional Services

From hardscape installation to seasonal upkeep services, professional landscaping can do wonders for your yard. Even just professional lawncare services can make a big difference. One survey from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), for example, found that professional standard lawn care services on a 2,835-square foot lawn yielded a whopping 267% return on investment.

Don’t leave the looks of your home to chance with a DIY project. Put the trust in the experts.

When you want to boost curb appeal and the value of your home, contact the team at Poynter Landscape Architecture & Construction. Our team of construction specialists, carpenters, landscape architects, and landscape maintenance experts are ready to deliver high-end professional landscaping services that bring even the most elevated landscaping ideas to life, wedding aesthetics with functionality.