Easy Design

Easy Curb Appeal On A Budget

Adding some new life to an existing front yard that has no curb appeal is often worth more than the time and effort spent on it. If you plan to give your existing front yard landscaping a facelift,  the same rules of designing a new front yard apply. All access areas should be set and then the rest of the landscape is sometimes a simple matter of creating some borders and beds around them. But still, even a basic plan like this requires some thought to make the landscape look professional and appealing. Here are a few ideas to help give your yard that edge.

First thing to do is assess what the problems are. By taking some pictures of the landscaping and entryway from different angles, you’ll get a whole different perspective. The pictures should give you a better idea of how your property really looks so you can make note of the problem areas you want to change. Make note of even the smallest details. Are the sidewalks cracked or coming apart? Is the lawn area overtaken by weeds? Does your front entryway look tired and neglected?

Get rid of any dead and unwanted shrubs. Replace them with new ones if you want to. However, to create an entirely different look in both new and old front yard landscaping ideas, try using ornamental grasses instead of shrubs. Prune healthy trees and shrubs to restore and keep their beauty. When they’re allowed to grow unchecked, they can make your yard look out of sorts and uncared for.

You can add color and interest by placing large planting containers on either side of your front steps, walkway, or sidewalks. Fill the pots with a combination of ornamentals plants, vines, and colorful flowers. This will do a lot to make your front entry welcoming and inviting. Also, containers can add even more interest because you can change plants throughout the different seasons.

Keep in mind when planting your front landscape and entry, that a lot of the time less is more. Don’t try to add too many plants and colors to your front yard landscaping ideas, but focus on a simple color scheme. Repeat two or three colors and maybe a few evergreens throughout the landscaping and front entry. This helps create unity and retain balance.

To make the entire yard look clean and manicured, edge all walkways, driveways, and sidewalks. Make sure that your front steps, driveways, and walkways are clean and in good repair. Repair anything that needs it. Concrete, stone,  or block walkways that have cracks or serious damage should be repaired or replaced.

If landscaping styles are too restricted and uninteresting, a few curved planting beds will help add a softer tone. An island bed is also a great addition to add interest to a front yard.

Consider investing in some nice solar walkway and foundation lighting. Installation is generally easy enough to be a do it yourself job or you can hire a pro do it. As well as the safety factor they provide, they also add elegance to the house and landscaping at night.

One final consideration. What does the outside of the home itself look like? A fresh coat of paint if needed and repair broken boards, hanging gutters, and anything else in need of repair will do wonders for the home as well as the curb appeal of the front yard landscaping. No matter how wonderful the landscaping and curb appeal is, a home in bad repair will take away from its beauty.

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