5 Affordable Ways to Increase Curb Appeal - Without a Landscape Renovation

Introduction

Maintaining a home can add up. Many homeowners easily assume that improving curb appeal requires an entire landscape makeover. However, in reality, evident improvements can come from simple maintenance tasks that would charge far less. Landscaping can increase a home’s perceived value by 5.5% to 12.7%, according to a Virginia Tech study.

Whether you’re wanting to elevate your curb appeal this summer, are preparing to sell your home, or just want to have a smile when you drive up to your property, in this post, we will cover five easy ways to improve your home's curb appeal:

1. Refresh landscape beds with new mulch

2. Prune overgrown trees and shrubs

3. Maintain trim lawn edges

4. Integrate local flowers for a summer burst of color

5. Make the walkway the focal point

1. Refresh Landscape Beds with New Mulch

Mulch makes such a difference in a landscape that is both calming and inviting. The mulch allows the plants to stand out, while also giving your landscape a professionally maintained appearance. 

Here are more benefits of mulching:

1. Mulch provides moisture retention. Especially during the warmer Bay Area months when you don’t want to break the bank to water your plants, mulch can increase moisture retention (especially if it is organic).

2. Mulch suppresses weeds. Less weeding for you, which is a big win!

3. Mulch keeps topsoil from eroding during the rainy season. 

2. Prune Overgrown Trees and Shrubs

Did you know that trees are usually a key factor during a property appraisal? Having more trees can also save energy and lower bills. However, if there are dying trees on your property (or trees that can cause a hazard), it is important to prune them. Doing so can actually incrase property value.

Not only is it valuable to remove unhealthy trees, but pruning trees can also:

• Reveal the beautiful architectural features of your home

• Make your property appear larger and more organized

• Keep walkways clear

3. Create Crisp Edges Along Lawn and Flower Beds

A cleanly defined lawn makes a statement. If you want to make your lawn look tidy on a budget, this is the way to do it. One of the fastest and most affordable ways to make your landscape look professionally maintained is with your lawn edging. 

To show meticulous care with your lawn edging, it is important to take care of the edging every 1-2 weeks during peak spring and summer growth seasons. 

4. Add seasonal florals near entry points (preferably local flowers)

When you add local flowers to the entry points of your home, it brightens the area up and can completely refresh the look of your property. 

Here are some ways to do that:

• Have porch containers filled with local florals

• Mailbox areas are another great location for flowers

• Add flowers along your walkway

If you are wondering what plants in the Bay Area you should consider, read this blog post. Native plants tend to adapt better to the local environment, require less maintenance, and also support native wildlife. 

5. Make the walkway and driveway the focal point

Whether the front of your home has a driveway only or also has a designated walkway, focusing on sprucing up that area will make your curb appeal less of an eyesore. 

• Pressure wash your driveway and walkway to clear away dirt and debris

• Remove those pesky weeds 

• If your walkway is overrun or broken, it may be time to get it updated

• If your driveway near the street is starting to break down, consider getting several quotes to get it fixed (over time, a cracked driveway can cause damage to your car tires)

These simple maintenance tasks can dramatically improve your home’s appearance, making your entire property feel more cared for, while also increasing the value of your home.

Conclusion

In summary, in this post, we covered 5 ways to increase your curb appeal (and also increase the value of your property). 

1. Refresh landscape beds with new mulch

2. Prune overgrown trees and shrubs

3. Maintain trim lawn edges

4. Integrate local flowers for a summer burst of color

5. Make the walkway the focal point

These simple yard maintenance tasks make a big difference for your home, whether you want to prepare to sell your home or you want to enjoy your property more. If you live in the Bay Area, contact Quality for help with your landscaping maintenance needs.