If You’re Going to be Home More, You might as Well Love It!
by William Rogers
Whether you dream about sitting around a fire pit on a beautiful stone wall or trying to decide which tree will help protect your house from Iowa’s winter winds, the very best landscape designers and installers can help you make smart choices to meet your needs.
A survey of hundreds of real estate agents across the U.S. has concluded that 97% recommend landscaping as a top 5 home improvement, and that a homeowner can expect up to a 215% return on investment. That’s good news whether you’re staying put or looking to sell.
A Patio in Front of the House?
Most of us think of outdoor space in terms of patios, decks and fire pits in our back yard, as some private space to retreat from the day. But one of the surging trends across the country is the addition of patios and extended porches at the front of the house. This trend has come from an increase in resident’s desire to connect with neighbors as they stroll the neighborhood.
You see it every summer after dinner, in those wonderful hours before the sun goes down. Parents in driveways chatting and connecting, while the young ones play up and down the street until the sun finally gives way to the evening.
Whether you’re thinking of a patio or extended courtyard, an outdoor seating area can soften the aesthetic look at the front of your house, increasing curb appeal and providing another place to relax when if the sun is baking your back yard.
Add Lighting to Extend Your Outdoor Time
Now that LED lighting has become long lasting, nearly maintenance-free and programmable, adding lighting to your patio, walkway or simply to create dramatic lighting has become a key feature to include in your design plan.
Is summer ever long enough? Adding LED lighting to your landscape project can extend the number of hours you can enjoy being out there.
Lighted pathways, seating areas and key lighting on home or garden features not only improve the value of your home, but increase safety, extend the hours you can enjoy being outdoors and encourages a secure environment. Add the ability to control your lighting from your phone and you could color your patio with your team colors when the neighbors are over to watch a game.
Outdoor Kitchens = More Time With Guests
Several years ago, outdoor kitchens were a common and very popular amenity in landscaping, but fell out of favor with home buyers in 2016. Fast-forward to 2018, and the National Association of Realtors reported a resurgence in demand with buyers willing to pay a premium for a well-appointed outdoor kitchen. With all the technological advances now, you could have full automated control on your phone to open and start your grill, extend your awning and adjust your outdoor lighting before you leave work.
And now that technology has improved the serviceable life and look of appliances dedicated to the outdoor lifestyle, you can put together a fully functional meal prep, serving and seating area. No more missing host during meal prep, you’ll be surrounded by your guests keeping everyone in the party and sharing the same good times.
Raised Flower/Herb/Veggie Beds
Raised flowerbeds, herb gardens or vegetable beds are becoming very popular as landscape additions. They can be incorporated into stone or block seating to add décor to your fire pit or as a regular feature to the top of a stone or block wall.
The benefits are no small thing. Ask any gardener what is the hardest part of tending flowers and veggies and they might just say all the bending and kneeling required to maintain them. Imagine being able to sit in a chair while weeding, amending soil or harvesting fresh-cut flowers, herbs or veggies.
Experiential Landscaping
Beyond seating/socializing areas of your yard, a walk among raised flower planters or a ground garden on a path of beautiful pavers adds value and appeal to being outdoors. Incorporating seating areas, walking paths and water features into a courtyard project, whether at the front or back of your home, effectively expands the living area of your home.
Choosing a Landscaper for Your Project
Experience is the best indicator of a quality result. But the number of years someone has been in business doesn’t necessarily say anything about how well your project will turn out.
Look for someone with a history of satisfied clients doing projects like the one you have in mind. Ask for references and a chance to look at their book of previous work. A well-respected landscaper will be happy to know you’ve done some homework and know which questions to ask.
As you make the design choices you have in mind, it can be difficult to visualize how it will really look at your house.
A good landscaper can help there. One important question to ask these days is whether they use any of the landscape design software that can make visualization of your project a simpler task.
The best landscapers now use 3D software to show you what your actual property will look like with the project completed. They upload photos of your property to the app which places the features you specify anywhere you’d like them.
Thinking of adding that outdoor kitchen space but can’t decide if it should be on the east side or the west? You can see it both ways as you finalize your plan. Landscape design software allows for a quick turn-around of plans and designs and any changes throughout the process. And, customers know that what they have approved is what they’ll get in the final result.
Finally, make sure you understand exactly which products will be used to build your dream. Whether you choose natural stone or a block system for your walls, or what kind of pavers and lighting you’ll want for your pathway, quality matters. Quality will last and give you the experience you’re looking for.