Bang For Your Buck – Landscaping That Pays Off

Landscaping that pays off? Should you invest in your home landscaping? Let's find out. Surveying the tangled wilderness that was once a lawn, eyebrows could easily be raised at the thought of diving head-first into professional landscaping.

Doubts might swirl, pondering if such an investment–in terms of time, sweat, and dollars–could ever offer a substantial return. But let's halt that line of thought with a startling interruption–any such doubts are drastically off the mark.

Why, you ask? Because landscaping doesn't just add worth, it's emphatically indispensable.

This isn't a whimsical exaggeration; real estate moguls and economists have studied the impact of well-planned landscaping on property value.

In a study published by the American Society of Landscape Architects, it's been accredited that a well-landscaped home has a significant price advantage over a home with no landscaping. 

The advantage ranges from a notable 5.5 percent to a whopping 12.7 percent. That translates to an extra $16,500 to $38,100 in value on a $300,000 home.  This isn't just important–no–it's crucial. The measurable economic impact, the demonstrated boost in curb appeal, and the soothing psychological effect of being closer to nature–all these factors elevate landscaping beyond simple aesthetics. It's not a mere yard but an investment portfolio that grows greener with time.

The Ins and Outs 

To understand this fully, we have to dive into the nitty-gritty, the nomenclature, the proverbial backstage, and see what the fuss is all about. According to a report by the National Association of Realtors, landscaping can increase a home's value by up to 10%! 

Regardless of whether selling your home is on the horizon or in the far-off future, who wouldn’t want their property bubble to stretch a little further? The real secret— the “open sesame” to this prospect, is deciding what type of landscaping will give you the most bang for your buck.

Landscaping That Adds The Most Value

So, you want your yard to be the toast of the town? Step right this way and follow the yellow brick road of native plants. This isn't any old wizardry but a bona fide way to turn your garden into an oasis. Native plants are often lower maintenance and resilient, a quality that appeals to people who don't see themselves as possessing green thumbs. 

These local plant species have acclimated to their specific regions over eons, making them the perfect fit for your natural landscape. These species require less watering and fewer fertilizers and are more equipped to fend off local pests. 

But how do you get your hands on these climate-friendly gems? Check with your local university's extension program or look up native plant resources online. They'll set you on a track faster than you can say “habitat restoration.” 

Cultivating the Perfect Outdoor Living Space

Now, we are turning our attention to the domain that lies beyond your backdoor— the outdoor living space. This trend is all the rage, and with good reason. It's about setting the stage for entertainment and leisure, making your home the social epicenter.

Consider your outdoor space as an extension of your indoor living space. Think about your patio as your outdoor lounge room with comfortable seating. Investing in high-quality, weather-resistant furniture and fixtures will pay dividends in aesthetics and durability. 

And here’s another great (and fun) addition: roll out the welcome mat for a fire pit; it's like adding a cherry on top. This focal point paves the way for those cozy nights under the stars, roasting marshmallows and not forgetting the comforting allure it brings during colder seasons.

Also, have you thought about an outdoor kitchen? It may sound ostentatious to some, but it can be as simple or as lavish as you desire. A barbecue station with a counter for prep work and a minibar can whip up a shindig in practically no time. 

Just think of the amazing memories you’d make over good food with your family and friends. Alternatively, even a brick or stone oven can make those fresh summer pizzas an event to look forward to. 

Don’t Forget Greenery

The crown jewel of landscaping, the pièce de résistance, is the proper integration of lush, thriving greenery. Thoughtfully chosen and well-placed plantings can transform an open yard into a private oasis, offering a tranquil reprieve from prying eyes. 

Creating a sensory garden full of aromatic herbs, vibrantly colored flowers that visually enchant, and plants with varying textures can tap into nature's transformative, therapeutic power.

This carefully curated garden can engage all your senses; imagine the scent of fresh lavender wafting through your windows, the hum of bees busy at work, the visual spectacle of blooming roses, and the tactile delight of fuzzy lamb's ear leaves. 

Don't merely stick to the tried and tested favorites; walk on the wild side. Experiment with plants like Chocolate Cosmos, an enchanting bloom that boasts the aroma of chocolate, or the playful snapdragons that can amuse and entertain both young and old. However, this is the type of project that may require tree stump removal so other smaller plants can thrive. 

According to industry professionals at 72tree.com, taking the necessary steps and carefully removing stumps to make way for other plant life is important. So, if you happen to have these, make sure you don’t treat it as a DIY project, as it can be quite dangerous.  

Needless to say, if you were actually to decide to sell your home, this (lush greenery) is one great feature that many buyers look for as more and more people realize the amazing benefits of having a lush garden in their backyard. 

Expensive Looks For A Fraction Of The Price

If the thought of hiring professionals to jazz up your yard gives you palpitations, don't worry. Planting deciduous trees can lower your home's cooling costs in the summer and allow warming sunshine in the winter– the very definition of killing two birds with one stone.

But crafting an impressive landscape is more than just a matter of haphazardly filling the space with greenery. Be strategic with placing shrubs and trees to introduce depth and complexity to your garden view. Think of your yard as a canvas and the plants as your palette. 

Use taller trees as a framework to draw the eye upward, while medium-sized shrubs can fill the mid-ground, and flowers and ground covers make up the front. This approach to layering can transform a flat-lawned yawn-inducer into a riot of greenery that engages the eye from every angle.

But why stop there? Breathe new life into otherwise discarded items by transforming them into unique flower beds or intriguing stepping stones. Old tires, eccentrically shaped branches, quirky metal containers, and even retired furniture can all discover a second life in the garden. 

This approach is not only environment-friendly but adds a personal touch, weaving stories into the very fabric of your landscape.

What To Do If You’re Not A Fan Of DIY

If DIY is not your forte or your jam-packed schedule has left you breathless, don't fret. Calling a professional landscape designer could be the perfect solution. Craftsmen in their own right, they can translate your wildest dreams into feasible, step-by-step plans, taking into account the nuances of your yard, the local climate, and soil conditions. 

You get the advantage of their expertise, yet maintain control to implement the plan on your own timeline and as your budget allows. Piece by piece, like a jigsaw puzzle slowly revealing its grand picture, you can continue chipping away at this plan until your dream garden forms right before you.

In the grand scheme, landscaping is a marathon, not a sprint. Rome wasn’t built in a day, remember? The subtle shifts and changes in your yard or garden will feel like an adventure you embark on instead of a loathsome chore.

So, is it worth spending money on landscaping? In the immortal words of Shakespeare, “One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” And there's your answer: landscaping isn’t just worth it. It’s an investment–and a smart one at that.