Two percent of the U.S. is covered in grass. That may not seem like a lot, but look at it this way: Americans spend $30 billion per year to maintain this green space. It’s more land than what the entire country uses to grow corn.
So, chances are, your house has a bit of grass out front, too. You could maintain it and keep it as green as possible. Or, you could make your front yard stand out from the grassy pack with these four landscaping ideas to maximize curb appeal — and minimize that cookie-cutter feel.
Best Tips to Make Your Front Yard
1. Start With the Front Door
Before we even get to the foliage, let’s cover a surefire way to refresh your front yard and add interest, too. All you need is a can of paint, preferably in a bright or otherwise unexpected color. Brush it onto your front door and voila: you’ve got a house that looks and feels completely fresh.
You can take this a step further if you have wooden shutters. You can re-paint those in a color that contrasts with your front door. That’ll set off the entire facade of your abode.
2. Delineate Your Features
Garden beds that blend right into the surrounding grass won’t grab anyone’s attention. Neither will a walkway surrounded by unkempt grass or wildly growing flowers.
So, grab some pavers — or get creative with edging plants — to outline your flower beds, walkways, the edges of your driveway, etc. This simple addition will make everything look crisp and put together.
One final tip: use this as a chance to break up your box-shaped front yard. Make walkways and garden beds curved to create curb appeal — how many people on your block have added curvy flowerbeds?
3. Light It Up
Your front yard doesn’t have to stand out during the day only. Install some outdoor landscape lighting to draw interest to your yard at night, too. Choose a mixture of spotlights and small pathway lights to create the perfect ambiance.
Aside from outlining the walkway, consider light in your flowerbed near your best buds. You can use spotlights to highlight the trees in your yard. The same lighting can shine on your home, keeping it bright and eye-catching even in the dark.
4. Don’t Forget the Grass
Whether you do it yourself or hire a pro like Heartland Turf & Landscape, you’ll want to make sure the grass in your front yard is lush and healthy. You can do this in a plethora of ways.
Start by re-seeding any sparse areas so that they fill in and keep your front-yard canvas green. Consider setting up a regular watering schedule to keep your emerald blades that way. Just keep in mind local regulations — your watering may have to wait if there’s a water shortage.
Fix Up Your Front Yard
These four tips are just the beginning. There are so many ways to spruce up your front yard and boost your home’s curb appeal. So, grab your gloves and get started — you can only find out how wonderful your home can look by finishing the job.
Need more lifestyle and home maintenance advice? Be sure to check back with us for more.
