Great curb appeal will make your home sell faster and for more money. It is estimated that good landscaping can increase the value of your home by up to 20%. That makes landscaping one of the best ways to add value to your home, but it’s also one of the ways that you add personal value. You can create your dream home by choosing outdoor living enhancements that meet your and your family’s needs.
So, how do you get better curb appeal? One of the first steps you should take is to decide what hardscaping features to include in your overall landscape design. Here are five hardscaping projects that will help you improve your curb appeal and increase your home value to get you started.
Fences
If you live in the city, the chances are pretty good that your home already has a fence. Fences help mark property boundaries and keep pets and children safe, so many consider them a must-have.
Some fences create privacy, and others keep unwanted visitors out. Fences can serve multiple purposes. If you are looking for a fence that will add value to your home, consider a high return type of fence, like metal or stone.
Consider a living fence, like a privacy hedge of closely planted American arborvitae, if you are looking for privacy only. You can also create a living wall, and there are even some living green fences that are pre-grown and ready to install.
Water Features
There are many different ways to add water to your landscape. If you are looking to get the most out of your money, consider a water feature that is easy to maintain and won’t be dangerous for small children.
Water features can incorporate other hardscaping projects, such as lighting and connecting pathways, to create a backyard sanctuary for both you and the local wildlife. Even a small water feature will attract birds, dragonflies, and amphibians.
Water features are also popular with people who want to use Feng Shui principles to design their yards. Running water is associated with good health, and water fountains correspond to wisdom. According to Feng Shui philosophy, if you want to increase cash flow and wealth, put your water fountain near the entrance to your home.
Patios and Decks
One of the best-selling improvements you can add to your home is a patio that extends the family room. A patio or deck that increases living space and lets you comfortably relax and entertain outdoors can provide an ROI of up to 80% or more, depending on the material you use.
More expensive materials like wood or stone can add significantly to an outdoor living space’s ROI and will increase your home value considerably. Before you plan your patio or deck, it is a good idea to see what kinds of options are available. Professional deck builders in Delaware County, PA will be able to offer ideas and insights to help you build your dream outdoor living space.
Outdoor Kitchens and Fire Pits
A space to cook outdoors can bring the most ROI of any hardscaping investment. There are numerous options here, but if you are adding an outdoor kitchen to increase the value of your home, you will probably want to consider a kitchen area with a barbecue and fire pit, as well as a refrigerator and sink. These types of outdoor kitchens can bring up to 200% return on your investment when they are planned and built properly.
You can also achieve some value by adding a fire pit or barbecue area that is convenient to your indoor kitchen. Whatever you decide, don’t forget to obtain permits if you add structures, electricity, or water lines.
Steps and Pathways
Tying everything together with steps and pathways is one of the crucial steps you need to take in your design process. Don’t overlook this step because connecting the new features in your yard to your home in a way that provides flow and balance is important to creating great curb appeal.
There are many different types of paths and different materials to make them from. Be sure to choose materials that you will be able to incorporate throughout the entire design of your yard.
If you add features like ponds, patios, and outdoor kitchens without considering how they will connect with steps and pathways, you are missing an opportunity to create even more value. And if your design is disjointed because you added a little bit here and a little bit there, you are making one of the biggest design mistakes there is.
Have a Master Plan
Decide what features you want and how you are going to connect them and develop your master plan before you start on any of these projects. By contacting professionals, especially for the most expensive parts of your landscaping renovations, you will create a plan that will optimize your space, your budget, and your ROI.
