You may have always heard the old adage that first impressions are the ones that count most – and this is all too true when it comes to curb appeal and your home. If you are designing a new home, or revamping your existing home (perhaps to put it on the market), then you must add some curb appeal in order to make your home a stand out in the neighborhood. Landscaping choices can go a long way towards adding curb appeal – which means that lawn maintenance and lawn care has taken on a whole new importance.
Go For a Healthy Lawn
Just like a bright smile is a sign of health, a beautiful, healthy, green lawn that is lush and full, yet manicured, is a sign of a well kept home. Whip your lawn into shape by using fertilizer, weed eliminator, and good techniques with edging to add maximum curb appeal.
Choose Contrasting Plants
The plants around your lawn can make or break the appearance of the lawn, and give it an inviting look. Choose plants that contrast with the mulch you are using for maximum visual impact; as an example, if your plants are dark and rich, then choose light mulch and dark mulch for light colored plants.
Curb Appeal Tip: Choose Plants by Foliage, Not Flowers
While flowers are beautiful and can add some nice curb appeal, they don t last very long. To get the most for your money, choose plants and landscaping that have beautiful, dark foliage instead.
Keep it Manicured
When we want to make a good impression, we make sure our appearances are manicured. The same is true for your lawn. Mow it, trim it, edge it, and clip it – including your lawn, trees and plants – to get the most curb appeal.
Don t Go Over the Top
Keep your landscaping simple and clean, don t overdo it. One of the obvious disadvantages to too much landscaping is that it is harder to maintain properly. Likewise, it creates visual clutter that may detract from your home. You want your home and your property to be inviting, but too much landscaping can actually be intimidating – especially if you re trying to sell your house. Who wants to trim two acres of hedge? That might be an exaggeration, but never do more landscaping than you are comfortable with maintaining regularly.
Other Exterior Concerns
Besides your landscaping, there are other concerns for the outside of your property that you should take into consideration when it comes to adding curb appeal. Obviously, you want a great walk way to the front exterior. Make sure the walk way is uncluttered and laid out well. The driveway to the home should be in excellent shape (no pot holes or cracks). The exterior lighting should be clean and in good working order as well.
When you take these considerations and put them into action, you ll find that enhancing your home s curb appeal is easier than ever.
Author Resource:
James Smithstone is a home design enthusiast and loves to checkout new home designs at http://www.HousePlanGallery.com , a residential design firm specializing in award-winning home designs with flexible floor plans & layouts and the most-popular home designs & features. Shop online with confidence!
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