How to Increase the Value of Your Home with Landscaping
If you’ve watched any sort of home improvement show, you know that curb appeal is crucial to home value. It’s not just a matter of a fresh coat of paint and a new front door, either—curb appeal also requires great landscaping. Working with a landscaping company can help ensure your home has that “wow” factor, inside and out.
Adding new landscaping usually nets a 100 to 200 percent return on your investment. That’s a lot of added value for something that can also increase your privacy, reduce noise and even help you save on your energy bills. Experts suggest investing about 10 to 20 percent of your home’s value in landscaping and hardscaping.
Here’s how you can increase your home’s value by working with a landscaping design company:
Use landscaping to complement your architecture: When you’re deciding on a landscape plan, make sure it complements the architecture. For example, English-style cottages look great with climbing roses and whimsical hedges, while Spanish- or Mediterranean-style homes cry out for bright bougainvillea. If you’re not sure how to make the most of your home’s architectural style, your landscape design company is sure to have some ideas.
Consider hardscaping for added utility: Don’t forget to focus on the backyard, too. Hardscaping—like patios, pathways and fire pits—add function as well as form. When your yard is as pleasant to hang out in as it is to look at, your home value will go up.
Make sure your yard will look great all year: Those springtime bulbs might look great in March and April, but what happens in the dog days of summer? Try to pick a mix of perennials and annuals, along with some evergreen selections. They’ll ensure your yard always looks beautiful, no matter the time of year.
Opt for low-maintenance plants: Living in California means homeowners deal with droughts often. With this in mind, look for low-maintenance, drought-friendly plants. Not only will you spend less time working in your garden, but you’ll spend less money on the water you need to keep them up. Plus, it’s great for the environment.
Add lighting: Your garden’s appearance at night is almost as important as how it looks during the day. Don’t neglect the lighting—it will not only highlight the best features of your yard, but improve your security at the same time. Lighting helps give the impression that someone is home, and makes it harder for anyone to hide on your property.
Don’t forget to include color: Finally, don’t forget to add some color to your yard. Brightly colored flowers will add visual interest and cheer.
Following these tips will help ensure your yard looks great, all year long and from every angle. When designing your dream landscape, working with a good landscaping company is key—they’ll help you maximize your home’s features and choose plants that work in your environment and serve your purposes.
When you’re ready to invest in your property’s landscaping, call the team at RainforestLA, Inc. to schedule an initial consultation.