Want maximum ROI?
Increase property values and boost curb appeal with seven simple landscape upgrades every homeowner should know.
Everyone knows that first impressions are everything. When a potential buyer arrives at your home, they’re already making judgments before they’ve even gotten out of the vehicle. You could have an award-winning kitchen remodel waiting for them inside, but if the landscape looks like an old, poorly done ‘builder’s special’, buyers may already be discounting your asking price.
The good news is that you don’t need a full-scale landscape renovation to boost your property’s value. A few strategic, affordable upgrades can transform your yard from regrettable to irresistible.
As a landscape architect, I’ve seen modest improvements add real dollars to a home’s selling price, often exceeding the cost of the work. Let’s look at seven upgrades that can make your home the prettiest on the block.
1. REFRESH THE FRONT ENTRY WITH PLANTINGS IS AN EASY WAY TO INCREASE PROPERTY VALUE
Your front yard and entry are the public face of your property. A warm, well-maintained entry makes buyers fall in love with a home before they even step inside.
Simple, impactful ideas
- Foundation plantings: plant shrubs that will stay low, flowering perennials, and small ornamental trees to soften the hard lines of your house, but plant them far enough away from the house so that they don’t scrape it.
- Seasonal flowers: Containers of annuals on either side of the front door create a burst of color and charm. For less than $200, you can plant two pots with a mix of annual flowers and cascading vines to dress up an entrance.
- Mulch refresh: A fresh layer of mulch instantly makes beds look tidy and cared for, but don’t forget to deep edge the beds for that crisp, professional look.
I recently worked with a homeowner in Bethesda, Maryland, whose property had great bones but a dull entry. We added a simple mix of dwarf hollies, long-blooming perennials, and seasonal pots by the door. The house sold within a month.
2. ADD OUTDOOR LIGHTING FOR STYLE AND SAFETY
Buyers prefer homes that feel both stylish and safe, and outdoor lighting delivers both when done correctly. It not only showcases your home’s best features at night but also reassures potential buyers that walkways and entry points are well-lit. Lighting is an inexpensive way to increase property values.
Best approaches
- Path lights: Low-level fixtures guide guests to the front door. Just remember that less is more.
- Uplighting architecture: Dramatic effect that gives your home a magazine-worthy glow. A gentle wash of light on a fine brick detail is one of my favorite things to do.
- LED options: Energy-efficient and low-maintenance.
Don’t just line the walkway with classic “runway lights.” Layer your lighting—accent trees, highlight architectural features, and softly illuminate walkways for a balanced look.
When buyers see well-placed lighting, they often assume that the entire property is thoughtfully designed and well-maintained. That’s a powerful message that increases property values.
3. UPGRADE THE LAWN (OR REPLACE IT WISELY)
A vibrant, green, healthy lawn is a detail like a fresh haircut; it signals that someone is paying attention. On the other hand, a patchy or brown lawn makes buyers wonder what else has been neglected by the owner, as it doesn’t take a lot of effort or money to maintain a decent lawn.
Options to consider
- Re-seed or sod: Quick ways to refresh worn patches. Lawn seed is the easiest way to increase property value.
- A little fertilizer goes a long way: A simple application of an inexpensive 12-12-12 fertilizer can green up a lawn quickly. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions, as overapplication can be harmful to the environment.
- Alternatives: Try native groundcovers or meadow-style plantings for a modern, eco-friendly appeal. I was driving through Takoma Park, Maryland, the other day, and I noticed quite a few native meadow planted front yards with no lawns.
I have clients who own multiple acres with frontage on the Chesapeake Bay. The backyard was basically a field of roughly mowed weeds that looked like crap for most of the summer. There was very little organic material in the sandy soil, so that it would dry out quickly after a rain, and the homeowner never fertilized it.
It was December when they informed me that they were hosting a large cookout in the backyard and had finally decided to renovate the landscape. We removed old, overgrown plantings and planted a few trees, but the most significant impact was the lawn rehabilitation.
I suggested that they start a compost pile with their tree trimmings and other yard waste, and purchase a 12-cubic-yard load of horse manure from one of the nearby stables. They were able to get the manure for free; they just had to pay their landscape contractor a little extra to load and deliver it.
By the end of January, the contractor had accumulated two eight-foot-tall piles of yard debris and manure, which were mixed by the contractor with a skid steer loader (Bobcat) and left to decompose. The pile was turned again at the beginning of March. By July, the mound of manure and yard debris had reduced to half its original size and had transformed into a fine, dark brown, nutrient-rich compost.
The manure-charged compost was top-dressed in a thin layer over most of the lawn around the house following a core aeration in the first week of August. With supplemental watering, their typically brown lawn at the end of summer was green in two weeks and has continued to stay green throughout the summer, except for the hottest part of July, for the past few years.
4. INSTALL A PATIO OR OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE
In post-COVID America, outdoor living space has become a top priority for buyers. A patio, deck, or even a small seating area expands the usable square footage of your home without adding walls. I’ve discovered that even though my clients don’t end up spending more time outdoors on their property, they had good intentions when they hired me. That said, whether people use their outdoor space or not.
What buyers want
- Patios and decks: Instant entertainment zones for family and friends. A concrete slab to put a barbecue grill on would be a minimum for most buyers.
- Pergolas or shade structures: Create a sense of outdoor rooms, as well as providing an interesting garden element to look at from the interior.
- Fire pits and outdoor kitchens: Luxury touches that buyers love, and increase property value.
Even a small stone patio with a café table and chairs can create a relaxing vibe for a potential home buyer. If you’re selling, staging your outdoor space with furniture is just as important as staging your living room.
Studies show that homeowners can recoup up to 80% of the cost of a well-designed, new patio or deck at the time of resale. That’s a better return than most interior upgrades typically offer.
5. ADD TREES FOR SHADE AND LONG-TERM VALUE
Trees are like savings accounts in which you invest now, and they pay dividends for decades. A mature tree not only makes a property more beautiful but can also cut energy costs by shading the home in summer if it’s planted in the proper location.
Why trees matter
- Immediate impact: Buyers love the look of established trees. Large trees give a property and a neighborhood a sense of character, and nothing’s better than retreating under the shade of their canopy on a hot summer day.
- Practical benefits: Lower energy bills, better air quality, and privacy.
- Resale boost: Homes with mature trees can sell for up to 15% more.
Choosing the right trees
- Go for native species, they’re easier to maintain.
- Avoid messy or invasive trees (like silver maples).
- Plant with future growth in mind. You don’t want to have to worry about a tree heaving your foundation one day.
I once advised a couple in Long Island, New York, who wanted to cut down a grove of five oaks and maples in the middle of the front yard because they couldn’t get the lawn to establish underneath them. They weren’t giant-sized trees; they were between twelve- and twenty-four-inch caliper and healthy.
I suggested that they group the trees in a planting bed, remove the sparsely growing lawn, and plant shade-loving perennials. After the plantings were established under the trees, the area became a feature in the yard. It has its own microclimate, which could only have been created by the owner with the existing trees in place.
6. INCORPORATE LOW-MAINTENANCE NATIVE PLANTINGS
Buyers have become more eco-conscious. Many home buyers are looking for landscapes planted with native plants because they know it will be cheaper and easier to maintain.
Benefits of native plants
- Require less water and fertilizer.
- Attract pollinators like butterflies and birds.
- Stay healthier with fewer pests.
Professional design tip
Think in layers—tall shrubs in the back, medium perennials in the middle, and groundcovers up front. This approach creates a lush, intentional look rather than a wild, untended one.
7. UPGRADE WALKWAYS AND DRIVEWAYS
Hardscape has the highest upfront cost of all your exterior improvements, as it may need to be replaced. Your walkway and driveway are like the red carpet to your home. Cracks, weeds, and oil stains can make even the nicest home look run-down and shabby.
Upgrade ideas
- Resealing asphalt and power washing concrete: A budget-friendly facelift.
- Stone pavers or brick: Adds charm and a sense of quality.
- Borders or edging: A simple way to add polish.
FINAL THOUGHTS: LANDSCAPING AS AN INVESTMENT
Your landscape isn’t just decoration, it’s an asset. These upgrades we discussed not only make your property more enjoyable. At the same time, living there also increases what buyers are willing to pay when it’s time to sell.
The key is not to do everything at once. Start with the project that bothers you the most or that makes the biggest first impression—such as the front entry. Then build from there. Over time, these upgrades accumulate to create a home that looks well-maintained, welcoming, and valuable.
