The Top Things a Homeowner Can Do to Improve Their Home's Landscape

A well designed and constructed landscape adds value to your life and home

As a landscape architect with decades of experience, I’ve had the privilege of transforming countless properties into outdoor spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful. Whether you’re aiming to boost curb appeal, create a backyard oasis, or maximize your property’s value, a thoughtful landscape improvement plan can make all the difference. Here are the top strategies any homeowner can implement to enhance their home’s landscape.

1. Start with a Master Plan

Before picking up a shovel or heading to the garden center, take a step back and develop a master plan for your landscape. A successful landscape begins with clear intentions—what do you want your outdoor spaces to achieve? A master plan helps ensure every element works cohesively rather than feeling piecemeal.

Identify Priorities: Do you need a space for entertaining, a safe play area for children, or a low-maintenance garden?
Evaluate Existing Conditions: Take stock of your property’s strengths and weaknesses—sun exposure, drainage issues, views, or privacy concerns.
Set a Budget: Allocate 7% to 12% of your home’s appraised value for a well-designed landscape. Done right, a thoughtful investment can yield a 15% or more return on your home’s value.

If a master plan feels overwhelming, consider working with a landscape architect to guide the process. Even small properties benefit immensely from this level of planning.

2. Focus on Curb Appeal: First Impressions Matter

The front yard is often the first thing people see, and its impact is significant—whether you’re welcoming guests or potential buyers. Improving curb appeal doesn’t require an overhaul but thoughtful enhancements.

Refresh the Lawn: A healthy, green lawn makes an immediate difference. Reseed bare spots, aerate compacted soil, and maintain a consistent watering and fertilization schedule.
Define Walkways: Upgrade existing pathways or install a new one using pavers, flagstone, or gravel. A defined entry path is inviting and adds structure.
Frame the Entry: Use colorful annuals, evergreen shrubs, or flowering perennials to frame your front door. Think symmetry—it provides balance and draws the eye.
Lighting: Landscape lighting along walkways, around trees, or near architectural features creates visual drama and improves safety at night.

Simple touches like a fresh layer of mulch, neatly edged beds, and container gardens on the porch can elevate curb appeal without breaking the bank.

3. Invest in Quality Hardscaping

Hardscaping forms the backbone of a landscape, providing structure and utility. Patios, walkways, retaining walls, and decks are investments that offer functionality and long-term value.

Create Gathering Spaces: A well-placed patio or deck can serve as an outdoor living room. Choose materials that complement your home’s style—flagstone for a classic look, pavers for a contemporary feel, or wood for warmth.
Install Retaining Walls: If you have a sloped property, retaining walls can prevent erosion while creating level spaces for planting or entertaining.
Add a Fire Feature: Fire pits or outdoor fireplaces are increasingly popular and extend the use of your yard into cooler seasons.

Quality hardscaping lasts for decades, so work with skilled professionals to ensure proper installation.

4. Incorporate Functional Plantings

A strategic plant palette not only beautifies your landscape but also serves essential functions, like providing shade, improving privacy, and enhancing ecological health.

Plant for Privacy: Trees, hedges, and tall ornamental grasses can screen unsightly views or create private outdoor rooms. Fast-growing evergreens like holly or arborvitae work well for year-round screening.
Use Native Plants: Native plants thrive in your local conditions, require less water and maintenance, and attract pollinators like butterflies and bees.
Layer Plantings: Use a mix of trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcovers to create depth and visual interest. Layering plants from tall (back) to short (front) adds texture and dimension.
Seasonal Interest: Choose plants that bloom at different times of the year to ensure year-round beauty—spring bulbs, summer perennials, fall foliage, and evergreen structure.

5. Upgrade Outdoor Living Spaces

Your yard can be an extension of your home’s interior, offering space for relaxation, dining, and recreation. By thoughtfully designing outdoor living spaces, you’ll increase your enjoyment of the property.

Dining Areas: Create a dedicated space for outdoor meals with comfortable furniture, lighting, and a durable surface like stone or concrete.
Outdoor Kitchens: For the avid entertainer, an outdoor kitchen with a grill, prep area, and storage can be a game-changer.
Seating Nooks: Add benches, built-in seating, or hammocks in shaded areas to encourage quiet relaxation.
Pergolas and Shade Structures: These not only provide relief from the sun but also act as attractive architectural features.

6. Think Sustainability

Incorporating sustainable practices into your landscape not only benefits the environment but can save time and money.

Rainwater Harvesting: Collect rainwater in barrels to irrigate your garden.
Drip Irrigation: Efficiently water plants at their roots, reducing waste.
Permeable Surfaces: Use permeable pavers or gravel to allow water to infiltrate rather than run off.
Drought-Tolerant Landscaping: Replace thirsty grass with low-water alternatives like clover, sedges, or groundcovers.
Composting: Start a compost bin to recycle kitchen and garden waste into nutrient-rich soil.

7. Add Water Features

Water features bring sound, movement, and a sense of tranquility to your landscape. Even small additions can have a big impact.

Fountains: Compact and low-maintenance, fountains add ambiance to patios or garden beds.
Ponds or Water Gardens: For larger properties, a pond with aquatic plants and fish creates a focal point.
Streams: A recirculating stream can add a natural, soothing element to sloped landscapes.

The sound of water has a calming effect, making your outdoor space feel like a peaceful retreat.

8. Maintain with Care

No matter how beautiful a landscape design is, neglecting maintenance can quickly diminish its appeal. Regular upkeep ensures your landscape looks polished year-round.

Pruning and Trimming: Keep plants tidy, encourage healthy growth, and prevent overgrowth.
Mulching: Refresh mulch annually to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and add a finished look to beds.
Seasonal Cleanups: Clear leaves, repair winter damage, and prepare beds for new growth in spring.
Consistent Lawn Care: Mow, edge, and fertilize your lawn regularly to keep it healthy and lush.

Final Thoughts

Improving your home’s landscape doesn’t have to happen all at once. Start with a solid plan, tackle projects in phases, and invest in quality where it matters most. Whether your focus is aesthetics, functionality, or sustainability, these strategies will help you create a landscape that enhances your lifestyle, boosts your home’s value, and provides lasting enjoyment.

And if you find yourself needing professional guidance to bring your vision to life, don’t hesitate to reach out to a trusted landscape architect. Together, we can create an outdoor space that not only meets your needs but exceeds your expectations.