An Easy Curb Appeal Fixer Up
Restoring an existing front yard landscape design can be a reasonably inexpensive and easy job that is often worth more than the effort it takes to create it. If you plan to give your existing front yard landscaping a facelift, the same rules of designing a new front yard apply. Entryways, access, and parking areas should be designated and then the rest of the design could be a simple matter of designing in some plants and planting beds around them. However, even a simple approach like this requires some thought to make the landscaping look professional and appealing. Here are a few ideas to help give your yard that edge.
The first thing you need to do is to assess what the problems are. To see your landscaping in a different light and perspective, take some pictures from several different angles. Now look at what your yard really looks like and write down what you want to change. Sometimes the smallest things can make a difference so write everything down. Are the sidewalks cracked or coming apart? Are planting beds and lawn areas being overtaken by weeds? Does your front entry look worn out and run down?
Cut out dead and unwanted shrubs from the area. You can always replace them with new, healthy specimens. However, to create an entirely different look in both new and old front yard landscaping ideas, try using ornamental grasses instead of shrubs. Pruning trees and healthy shrubs will help keep them looking good. If you let them go without care for too long, they can make your yard look like its not cared for.
You can add color and interest by placing large planting containers on either side of your front steps, walkway, or sidewalks. Fill these with a combination of vining plants, spiky grasses and colorful flowers. This will give your front entryway a very inviting atmosphere. And planters are also great for rotating different seasonal plants throughout different times of the year.
Something to keep in mind when planting your front landscape is that sometimes less can be more. Don’t try to add too many plants and colors to your front yard landscaping ideas, but focus on a simple color scheme. Pick two or three plant colors and repeat them all through the landscaping. This will help create balance and unity.
To make the whole yard look clean and manicured, edge all the sidewalks, driveways, and walkways. Inspect any entry steps, driveways, or walks to see that they are in good condition. Fix any breaks, stains or cracks. Concrete, stone, or block walkways that have cracks, chips, or breaks should be repaired or replaced altogether.
If your yard, entryway, and landscaping styles are too formal and boring, soften the look by adding a few well placed, curved flower beds. Island plant beds placed in lawn areas will accent a front yard landscape as well as make it more interesting.
Consider investing in some nice solar walkway and foundation lighting. These can generally be installed yourself or you can let a professional landscaper do the job. Not only do they provide a safety factor, but also create a sense of elegance on the home at night.
One more thing. Take a look at what shape the house is in. Applying a fresh coat of paint, repairing broken boards and windows, hanging fallen gutters, and fixing anything else in need of repair will do wonders for the home as well as the front yard landscaping. No matter how beautiful the landscaping is, no one will even see it if the home is in bad repair.
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