Posts tagged curb appeal

Adding curb appeal to an existing front yard that has none is often a very inexpensive and easy landscaping project. If you have plans to refurbish your own front yard landscape,  it follows the same rules as designing and landscaping a new front yard. Parking areas, walkways, and paths should be placed where they will go and then the rest of the plan can be designed around them. But still, even a basic plan like this requires some thought to make the landscape look professional and appealing. Here are a few tips and ideas that will help set your landscaping apart.

The first thing you need to do is to assess what the problems are. Take a few pictures of the landscaping and entryway from different angles. This will give you a whole different perspective. Looking at the pictures will sometimes give you a better idea of what your property really looks like. Make note of any changes you want to make. Sometimes the smallest things can make a difference so write everything down. Is the walkway chipped and cracked? Have weeds overgrown the front of your yard? Has the entry lost its sense of invitation?

Remove any dead or unwanted shrubs from the view. If you wish, you can replace them with new shrubs. However, to create an entirely different look in both new and old front yard landscaping ideas, try using ornamental grasses instead of shrubs. Prune and shape healthy trees and shrubs to keep them looking good. When they’re allowed to grow unchecked, they can make your yard look out of sorts and uncared for.

To add a little color and interest, place some large planting containers on either side of your front steps or your walkway. Fill these with a combination of vining plants, spiky grasses and colorful flowers. This will make your front entry welcoming and inviting. And planters are also great for rotating different seasonal plants throughout different times of the year.

When choosing your plants for your front yard landscape design, remember that using less can oftentimes be more. Don’t try to add too many plants and colors to your front yard landscaping ideas, but focus on a simple color scheme. Pick two or three plant colors and repeat them all through the landscaping. This will give the design some balance and unity.

To make the entire yard look clean and manicured, edge all walkways, driveways, and sidewalks. Make sure that your front steps, driveways, and walkways are clean and in good repair. Repair anything that needs it. Totally cracked concrete, block, or rock walkways should either be repaired to good condition or completely replaced.

If the landscaping design styles need a little softening because of being too restricted and uninteresting, try adding a few curved planting beds. Island plant beds placed in lawn areas will accent a front yard landscape as well as make it more interesting.

Consider investing in some nice solar walkway and foundation lighting. Installation is generally easy enough to do yourself or if you prefer,  you can have a professional do it. Not only do they provide a safety factor, but also create a sense of elegance on the home at night.

One final consideration. What shape is the outside of the home in? A fresh coat of paint if needed and repair broken boards, hanging gutters, and anything else in need of repair will do wonders for the home as well as the curb appeal of the front yard landscaping. No matter how wonderful the landscaping and curb appeal is, a home in bad repair will take away from its beauty.