When potential buyers first arrive at your home, the exterior and landscaping are the first things they notice. These initial impressions, often referred to as “curb appeal,” are crucial in shaping how buyers perceive your home’s value and the care you’ve put into maintaining it. The look and condition of your landscaping can either enhance or diminish your home’s appeal. As buyers move through your home, they expect the backyard to be just as inviting and well-kept as the front, offering spaces for relaxation and entertainment.
The Value of Landscaping
Landscaping is more than just aesthetics; it’s an investment that can significantly increase your home’s market value. According to the American Society of Landscape Architects, good landscaping can add as much as 15% to its value over comparable houses. This increase depends on various factors, such as the quality of hardscaping (like patios and walkways), the types of trees and plants, garden designs, water features, and even eco-friendly elements like reducing your carbon footprint. Given its potential impact, experts recommend allocating 10% to 20% of your home’s value to outdoor projects.
What Landscaping Involves
Landscaping is a comprehensive process that goes beyond simply planting trees, grass, and flowers. It involves the thoughtful planning, layout, and construction of both softscapes (the living elements like plants) and hardscapes (the non-living elements like patios and walkways). The goal is to enhance both the visual appeal and functionality of your outdoor spaces, making them suitable for socializing, recreation, and relaxation.
But landscaping isn’t just about what you see; it also includes critical behind-the-scenes work. This can involve leveling the ground, adding topsoil, removing unwanted trees or bushes, and installing essential systems like drainage and sprinklers. Proper placement and selection of trees and gardens are also key, which is why many homeowners turn to professionals for help.
Professional Help: Landscape Architects vs. Designers
If your landscaping project is complex, involving significant changes to your property, it’s often wise to hire a professional. There are two main types of experts you might consider: landscape architects and landscape designers.
Landscape Architects:
These professionals must be licensed by the state. They typically have a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, practical internship experience, and have passed the Landscape Architect Registration Examination. Their expertise includes project planning, site design, and managing large-scale aspects like grading, drainage, and stormwater management, which are particularly important for commercial projects.
Landscape Designers:
While they also have significant training and experience, landscape designers focus more on the aesthetic and functional aspects of residential projects. They are skilled in creating beautiful, practical, and sustainable outdoor spaces, but they do not require a state license.
Enhancing Curb Appeal 
Curb appeal is not just a buzzword; it’s a critical factor in selling your home. A 2023 survey conducted by the National Association of REALTORS® revealed that 92% of real estate professionals recommend improving curb appeal before listing a home. The survey highlighted that the most valued aspects of outdoor remodeling are beauty and aesthetics (cited by 37% of respondents), functionality and livability (29%), and durability with long-lasting materials (11%).
Beauty: The Aesthetic Appeal
Investing in your home’s landscaping can offer substantial returns, especially when it comes to lawn care. According to Angi.com, homeowners typically spend between $1,300 and $6,000 on landscaping, but it’s routine lawn care and maintenance that often provide the highest return on investment. The National Association of REALTORS® notes that lawn maintenance can yield an ROI of up to 217%, making it one of the most cost-effective ways to enhance your home’s value.
Proper landscape maintenance includes regular tasks like annual mulch application, mowing, pruning shrubs, and planting a variety of flowers. Fertilizing and weed control are also crucial for keeping your lawn in top shape.
Trees are another important element of landscaping. The USDA Forest Service found that healthy, mature trees can add an average of 10% to a property’s value. The care and placement of trees are vital, as they not only add beauty but also provide shade and act as windbreaks. Tree care, which includes trimming, pruning, and fertilization, offers an 87% ROI, making it a worthwhile investment.
For a more comprehensive landscape upgrade, you might consider adding a natural flagstone walkway, stone planters, and strategically placed trees and shrubs. A project like this, which costs around $9,000, can offer a 100% return on your investment.
Functionality: Expanding Outdoor Living Spaces
The more you invest in expanding or enhancing outdoor living spaces, the greater your potential return on investment. Features like patios, decks, pergolas, and gazebos not only increase your home’s functionality but also add significant value. These spaces allow you to enjoy your yard for activities like dining, socializing, or simply relaxing.
Patios and Decks:
Redoing a backyard patio with concrete pavers, for example, might cost about $10,500 but can yield a 95% ROI. Similarly, building a new deck with cedar lumber can cost around $16,900, with an expected ROI of 89%.
Landscape Lighting:
Installing landscape lighting is another excellent way to highlight features like gardens, pathways, and seating areas. While the installation of a standard lighting system might cost $6,800, it offers a homeowner satisfaction score, or “Joy Score,” of 100%, though the ROI is a more modest 59%.
Swimming Pools and Firepits:
For those who love outdoor activities, features like swimming pools and firepits can add to the enjoyment of your home. However, these features often have lower financial returns. A swimming pool, for example, might cost $90,000 to install but only has a 56% ROI. A firepit, while much less expensive at $9,000, also has a similar ROI of 56%, though both features provide high satisfaction for homeowners.
Sustainability: Water Conservation and Xeriscaping
With growing concerns about water usage and environmental impact, sustainable landscaping practices are becoming increasingly popular. One of the most effective strategies is xeriscaping, which involves using drought-resistant plants that require minimal watering. This approach not only conserves water but also reduces maintenance and the need for fertilizers, making it an eco-friendly option.
Irrigation Systems:
Installing an irrigation system costs about $6,000 and offers an 83% ROI, though you’ll need to consider the ongoing cost of water. In regions with water restrictions or high costs, a well-designed irrigation system can be both a practical and valuable investment.
Xeriscaping:
This method of landscaping, which uses native plants suited to drought conditions, can save water and reduce maintenance needs. Costs range from $5 to $17 per square foot, depending on the size of your yard. For example, xeriscaping a 1,200 sq. ft. yard might cost around $17,000, while a smaller 500 sq. ft. yard could be done for about $6,000.
Environmental Benefits:
Beyond water conservation, sustainable landscaping has other positive effects. It can improve soil health, reduce the need for mowing (and thus lower fossil fuel use), prevent erosion, reduce waste, and create habitats that support native wildlife.
Key Takeaways for Landscaping Success
Investing in landscaping is about more than just beautifying your home—it’s about increasing its value, enhancing your living spaces, and contributing to sustainability. Whether you focus on improving curb appeal, expanding outdoor functionality, or implementing eco-friendly practices, the right landscaping can make your home more appealing to buyers and more enjoyable for you.