You have a lot of options when it comes to improving your landscaping and increasing your home’s value. Depending on your goals and needs as a homeowner, you may just need to clean up the yard, repaint the front door and add a few aesthetic details like outdoor lighting before listing your home for sale. If you decide to invest in larger projects to boost the value of your home and attract more buyers, you’ll want to consider the following factors first:

Purpose
Before making any changes to your home’s landscaping, consider who uses the yard currently, and also try to envision how buyers may want to use the yard. For example, do you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors entertaining friends or family? If so, consider incorporating a patio or outdoor kitchen into your landscape design. Think of ways you can make your outdoor space more functional, comfortable and appealing.

Maintenance Requirements
Consider how much time you’re willing to put into your landscaping project, and also think about maintenance requirements once the project is complete. As a general rule, aim to make your landscaping as low-maintenance as possible. This means using native plants and low-maintenance hardscape materials like brick or stone that do not require paints or sealants. Also, consider installing an efficient irrigation system to simplify lawn care. Buyers appreciate low-maintenance landscaping that won’t take up their time or demand too much effort.

Style
Consider how elements such as color, shape and texture can be used to complement the style of your home. You’ll want to view your landscaping as an extension of your home rather than something separate. For example, look at your home’s architecture. If you wish to soften the sharp angles of your home, you might add rounded flower beds or a curvy walkway. Consider discussing your options with a landscape designer who can help you make the right choices, or explore books or magazines for inspiration.

If you plan well and design your landscape carefully, you’ll find it to be a worthwhile investment. In general, landscaping is composed of two parts — softscapes and hardscapes. We’ll explore ways to use softscapes and hardscapes to improve your property value and make it more appealing to potential buyers.