In landscape design, a focal point draws attention and adds depth. It can be anything from a striking plant specimen to a water feature or sculpture.
Plants, hardscapes and pathways should be proportionate to each other. They should also work together to direct the flow of movement through your landscape. Contact Landscaping Hamilton for professional help.
Whether you’re planning to sell your home or simply want it to look its best, landscaping offers an easy way to enhance your property’s curb appeal. In fact, studies show that homes with attractive exteriors have higher resale values than those without. A good first impression on prospective buyers can be made in just seconds, so making the outside of your home as attractive as possible is an important step in boosting your property’s value.
Curb appeal is defined as the visual attractiveness of a house from the street. It includes factors such as a well-manicured lawn, trimmed bushes, colorful flower beds, decorative outdoor lighting and other landscape features that make a property stand out amongst the rest of the neighborhood. Adding these elements is an inexpensive way to instantly increase your home’s visual appeal and give it a facelift that will impress anyone who sees it.
In addition, keeping the yard tidy and free of clutter like hoses, trash cans, bicycles and other outdoor equipment is an effective curb appeal strategy. Even simple things such as moving parked cars, hiding garbage cans or building covers for bike storage can make a difference in how your home looks from the street.
As a result, the impact of curb appeal on your home’s value is significant and enduring. Many realtors endorse the idea of updating your landscaping before listing your house for sale, as it’s a low-cost way to make a positive impression on prospective buyers and improve your home’s resale value.
In addition to a well-manicured lawn, other important elements of curb appeal include updating your house’s exterior paint and replacing dated fixtures such as light fixtures and mailboxes. Depending on your taste, you can even choose a new stylish address plaque or mailbox that matches your home’s design and color scheme. The more your curb appeal reflects the overall look of your home, the better the chances are that it will attract a potential buyer and help you get top dollar when selling. This is why it’s so important to invest time in creating and maintaining a beautiful and inviting front yard.
Increased Property Value
A well-managed landscape increases property value without requiring pricey interior renovations. In fact, landscaping offers one of the best returns on investment of any home improvement project. Regular lawn services, trimming, and weed control provide a return of up to 267 percent at the time of resale. In addition, adding shrubs, trees, and flowerbeds creates an attractive, welcoming ambiance to any space, increasing your property’s overall value.
Professional landscaping enhances your curb appeal, which in turn draws more serious buyers to your home. Buyers are willing to pay more for a well-maintained home, and a beautifully landscaped property signals that it has been cared for. This is particularly true in competitive housing markets, where a property’s aesthetics can be the difference between an offer and no offer.
Survey results show that a home’s perceived value is influenced by its landscape, with design sophistication and plant size being the factors that most affect value. Additionally, incorporating trees into the landscape creates shade, reduces noise pollution, and improves air quality. Moreover, outdoor living spaces such as patios and decks are increasingly sought after by buyers, extending your livable space and providing the ideal setting for entertaining and relaxation.
When choosing a landscape contractor, consider the company’s experience and ability to work with your home and budget. A qualified company will be able to provide you with a detailed plan, which can also be adjusted at any stage to accommodate changing needs and preferences.
A landscaping company that specializes in eco-friendly projects is likely to have more expertise and experience working with native plants, organic fertilizers, and water conservation techniques. This type of landscaping will be more appealing to environmentally conscious buyers and can help you sell your home faster. It’s also worth considering a landscaping company that specializes in seasonal planting, which will add interest to your yard throughout the year and keep it looking vibrant and healthy. Incorporating flowers that bloom in spring, summer, fall, and winter will ensure your yard looks beautiful and inviting all year round.
Reduced Energy Bills
If you want to relax in a beautiful outdoor space without having to leave your home, consider investing in a well-designed backyard. This outdoor oasis can be a place for your family to unwind, spend time together and entertain friends. It can also improve your health and happiness. Research shows that spending time in green spaces can reduce stress and boost your mood.
A properly maintained landscape can also reduce energy bills. Trees and plants help filter the air and provide shade, lowering your cooling costs during the hot St. Louis summers. They can also help lower your heating costs during the cold winter months by blocking wind and funneling it toward your home.
In addition, landscaping can increase the energy efficiency of your home. By planting trees and shrubs that are native to the area, you can help reduce water runoff and soil erosion. This means less energy is used to maintain your property, reducing your energy bill and your carbon footprint.
Landscaping can make a big difference in your property’s curb appeal, and it can increase its value and functionality. However, it is important to work with a professional who understands the environmental impact of your landscape and can create a thriving green space that benefits the ecosystem and local flora and fauna.
Many homeowners put landscaping at the bottom of their to-do lists, but it is vital for the health and beauty of your property. Proper landscaping can help you achieve a healthier, happier life by adding value to your home, promoting sustainability and biodiversity, and reducing energy costs. It can also make your home safer by creating natural privacy screens and deterring unwanted intruders. For businesses, a professionally-designed landscaping can improve brand image and attract customers. It can also improve employee morale and productivity by providing an outdoor workspace and boosting the overall appearance of the business.
Environmentally Friendly
In addition to saving energy, environmentally friendly landscaping also benefits the ecosystem. It reduces carbon dioxide and other air pollutants, creates more oxygen, and slows soil erosion. It can even attract beneficial insects and birds to the yard. Incorporating eco-friendly landscaping into your home can be as simple as planting a few trees, shrubs, and flowers or adding a water structure to your backyard like a pond or fountain. The possibilities are endless!
Sustainable landscaping practices are based on four pillars: water conservation, soil management, material resource conservation, and preservation of existing ecosystems. Water conservation includes addressing soil compaction, selecting plants that are adapted to local climates, and using efficient irrigation systems. Soil management focuses on improving soil health through the use of compost and mulches, which retain moisture and stifle weeds. Material resource conservation aims to reduce waste by utilizing recycled materials and choosing locally-sourced products to cut down on transportation energy. And preservation of existing ecosystems is accomplished by removing invasive species, establishing habitat corridors, and encouraging native plant species.
Another way to improve your eco-friendly landscape is by installing a rainwater harvesting system. This conserves water and allows you to use rainwater to irrigate your garden. It also helps to prevent pollution from runoff and stormwater flooding. Similarly, reducing the amount of paved areas in your landscape allows for groundwater recharge and minimizes soil erosion. This also reduces microclimate heating, increases site permeability, and supports plant health by promoting root growth.
Lastly, incorporating pollinator-friendly plants into your landscaping can increase biodiversity and help you to avoid the use of harsh chemicals and pesticides. Some examples include adding native weeds, wildflowers, and berries to your property to attract bees, butterflies, and birds to your yard. Some modern gardeners are even using “fedge fences” made from repurposed tree trimmings to provide shelter for these important garden critters.
Ultimately, integrating eco-friendly landscaping into your home can be a great way to show off your green thumb and make your house more attractive. It can add value to your property, save money on your electricity bills, and provide a beautiful outdoor environment for entertaining friends and family.
