Warm weather is coming, and you’re ready to tackle some outdoor projects, including sprucing up your home’s exterior. Landscaping is a good place to start. Gardens and walkways are the jewels of the home and you want to make yours sparkle. We’re sharing advice from the experts on bolstering your abode’s curb appeal. Join us as we explore ideas for changing your seasonal décor, tidying up your shrubs, and adding new dimensions—maybe even a little bling.
HARMONY AND SCALE
Before you begin, do a truthful assessment of whether your home appears welcoming. “What kind of experience is created upon arriving? Is it warm? Is it inviting? Does it create layers of experience?” asks David N. Brush, whose Birmingham firm David N. Brush Landscape Architecture specializes in residential design. The materials used and scale of the gardens and walkways should complement the architecture of the house. “The house’s façade will have details that garner most of the attention,” says David. “The landscape should be organized in a way that channels focus to those areas.”
At M. Turner Landscapes in Richmond, Virginia, principal Meg Turner says a generous landing will allow space for planters or a bench to help frame the home and provide the desired layers of interest. Walkways should be comfortable and wide enough—ideally at least 5 feet across—to allow two people to walk side by side, she says.TIDY UP
Upping your curb appeal can be as simple as taking care of the beds you have. Many people create their front gardens with great care and then ignore them—sometimes for years. “So many front foundations are planted and forgotten. Laurels, hollies, or boxwoods may now be engulfing the house, covering windows, or encroaching on the entry or on other plants,” says Meg. Proper maintenance goes a long way in elevating the appearance.
Dione Lineberry of Blue Ribbon Lady Landscaping in Dallas agrees. “An easy way to increase curb appeal is simply making sure that plants are trimmed and beds are clean, free of weeds, and mulched,” she says. Evo Sadowsky, Dione’s daughter and a fellow designer who joined the family business in 2017, is quick to remind homeowners to get rid of clutter like broken yard art or a leaky hose.
A FRESH FOCUS
Once you’ve trimmed and mulched existing plants, add layers with well-thought-out changes like extending the shrubs that line your foundation beyond their current footprint. “Don’t be afraid to create more sweeping planting beds that frame your house and lawn and pull out toward the curb,” says Meg. Window boxes, with a drip irrigation system to keep flowers fresh, are another nice touch. Painting the front door or shutters will also update the exterior look.
LIGHT SHOW
If you want to go for a little more glam, lighting could be a game changer. “Quality exterior lighting is something that tends to get overlooked, but can be transformational,” says Meg. Properly sized copper or iron fixtures open up an entrance. Lighting on walkways or other passages will go far to enhance the appearance and safety of your home at night. It’s critical to make certain that the elements you use work together and are the proper size to complement the architecture of your home.
COLOR CHANGE
If you’re not ready for a complete makeover, seasonal swaps can be a fun way to add color and style, welcoming guests with panache. Carve out a portion of a bed for a stunning display of annuals, but Evo warns against a common mistake. “Homeowners buy a few flats [of flowers] and try to space them across the whole garden. It ends up looking wimpy,” she says. Instead, group them together in a few pockets for a more striking effect. Porch furnishings with pillows and cushions present another opportunity to alter the palette to reflect the time of year. For holidays, Evo urges clients to think creatively. For instance, instead of piling pumpkins on your porch for fall, you could put them in the garden. In December, a string of white lights on evergreen planters will muster holiday charm.
WOW FACTOR
While flower gardens are showstoppers, they require a good deal of attention and care. If you aren’t up to that, David suggests using pretty but durable planters, pots, and urns placed in visible areas to give your home personality with a lot less effort than maintaining a bed. “These pieces are like garden ornaments,” he says. Planting an evergreen, such as a boxwood or a Ligustrum topiary, in your container allows you to concentrate only on changing the flowers around it. Another way to create a focal point is with a specimen tree like a Japanese maple that offers fiery color or a snowball viburnum with its abundance of puffy blooms.
Whatever project you choose, improving the view for passersby and guests encourages the hospitality that Southerners are known for. “Just make sure the finished product unfolds around a central story,” says David.
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