Landscaping may not be at the forefront of your mind when you're dreaming of your new home. Most people tend to think more about selecting the interior finishes like countertops, tile, and floor coverings.
While landscaping may not be as exciting as a spa-like bathroom, ensuring your home's exterior is just as beautiful as the interior is important. After all, the exterior is the first thing people will notice about your home. So, it goes without saying you want your home's curb appeal to be on-point!
If you're not sure where to start with your home's landscaping or are looking for ways to give it a boost, you're in the right place. We teamed up with Hackmann Lawn and Landscape to create a list of five of the best landscaping tips for your home. Check them out below!
1. Use Natural Stone Instead of Cement
Natural stone is a beautiful alternative to using basic cement in entertaining areas, walkways, and driveways. One of the easiest ways to utilize natural stone is with stone pavers. Not only can you create an eye-catching design, but they are also low-maintenance, long-lasting, and easy to repair. Stone pavers also come in a wide range of colors and textures, so finding a style that complements your home's design is easy.
Our friends at Hackmann Lawn and Landscape recommend Belgard stone pavers. Belgard offers a variety of styles ranging from classic to contemporary. In addition, Belgard has various types of pavers including traditional stone pavers, permeable pavers, and outdoor porcelain pavers.
Photo Credit: Hackmann Lawn & Landscape
2. Don't Forget About Mulch
The aesthetic appeal of your landscaping is just as important as the health of your plants. Using mulch and stone edging in your landscaping is a simple way to give your overall design a clean, polished look. Mulch can also be used to highlight certain aspects of your landscaping like sculptures and other lawn decor. The best part? Mulch is low-maintenance, prevents weeds, retains moisture, and regulates soil temperature so your landscaping looks its best at all times.
3. Create Stone Walkways
If your home has a large front yard, take advantage of the space with a stone walkway. Using natural stone leading up to the house is a great way to enhance the entrance of your home. In addition to looking sophisticated, a stone walkway creates visual interest while welcoming guests to your home.
To really make a stone walkway pop and boost your home's curb appeal, line the sides with flowers. Perennial blooms are always an excellent option, as they will come back year after year.
4. Opt for Low-Maintenance Flowers & Shrubs
Maintaining your home's landscaping can be a time-consuming process. If you're not thrilled by the idea of spending weekends weeding, pruning, and watering then low-maintenance plants are your best bet. Some of the best options include ground cover plants like Lamb's Ears and perennial flowers such as Black-eyed Susans. While seasonal flower varieties are beautiful, they don't last as long and will need to be planted year after year. Aside from being low-maintenance, there are many benefits to using ground cover plants in your landscape design.
Ground cover plants will:
- cover a large area
- prevent soil erosion and nutrient loss
- protect from drought
5. Get Creative with Hardscaping
While hardscaping like retaining walls are a practical element to add to your home's landscape design, they can also be multi-functional. Retaining walls can be used to create a tiered patio or additional flower bed and can even be used for additional seating. You can even use natural stone blocks to create a bench or a built-in fire pit on the patio.
For more landscaping tips, be sure to check out Hackmann Lawn and Landscape’s blog.
