Every year, the landscaping industry brings in approximately $77 billion in revenue. With this number in mind, it's safe to say that if you've been thinking about investing in some new landscaping or fencing for your property, you're definitely not alone.
Updating your property's fencing and landscaping is a great way to increase its appeal and make it more enticing to potential buyers. It also makes your home a nicer place for you and your loved ones to spend time.
Figuring out new landscaping ideas isn't always easy, though. If you're feeling lost about the best plans to make for your yard, keep reading. Outlined below are 10 great strategies to consider implementing today.
1. Lay Down a Stone Path
Laying down a stone path is a fun way to add character to your backyard and also make it a bit more functional.
With a path in place, you don't have to worry about stomping through wet grass in the morning to get out and water the garden. You can also maintain your grass more easily when you've laid down a path since people can walk on it instead of trampling your well-kept lawn. The pathway can help to divide your yard and separate it into different sections (a garden, a play area, a relaxation area, etc.), too.
The process of laying down a path is somewhat difficult, as the stone pavers aren't exactly lightweight. However, the project as a whole is not particularly time-consuming. Most homeowners can get it done in one day, especially if they have some extra hands assisting them.
2. Bring in Some Color
If you want to bring more life into an otherwise drab backyard, bringing in color with new flowers is a great option to consider. Whether you're working with a landscaping team or handling the project on your own, planting flowers will definitely pay off.
To ensure your flowers survive and provide the kind of vibrancy you're looking for in your yard, make sure you choose appropriate blooms for your climate. Take into account the amount of sunlight your backyard gets, too. If you have a very sunny yard with little shade, you'll want to invest in hardier flowers that can withstand the sun's rays.
Think about the amount of maintenance your flowers will require, too. Do they need to be watered daily? Can you get away with watering them every couple of days?
3. Define Spaces with Shrubs
If you want to create more privacy around your yard without installing fencing, planting shrubs along the perimeter is a good alternative to consider. You can also use shrubs to break up your yard and create more defined spaces. For example, you could plant them around the patio to give it a more secluded, secret garden-esque feeling.
When choosing shrubs for your yard, start by thinking about your size preferences. How tall do you want them to grow?
Consider, too, the shrubs' color, as well as the climate in which you live. If you're located in a hot, dry place like the south or southwest, your best pick will be something drought-tolerant like spirea or boxwoods. If you're located in a cold place, on the other hand, something like arborvitae is a better option.
4. Establish a Focal Point
Is there a certain part of your yard that you want to play up? If so, keep that in mind when you're coming up with your landscaping ideas.
If you want to make your patio the focal point of the yard, for example, you could lay down a stone path leading from the house or back gate to it. You could also plant some low shrubs or flowers around the patio to emphasize and draw the eye to it.
For those who are starting from scratch with their backyard landscaping, it helps to spend time envisioning what you want the yard to be before you get to work. Stand in the backyard and think about where your eye is naturally drawn. Perhaps that is the best place to create your focal point.
Take note of any potential obstacles in the area before you proceed, too. For example, if the area where you want to establish your patio doesn't get much sun, you might want to consider moving it somewhere else or investing in something like a pergola to make it more appealing during the hottest season of the year.
5. Plant a Vertical Garden
If you're looking for a way to level up the landscaping along a fence line in your backyard, consider planting a vertical garden. As the name suggests, a vertical garden runs up and down along a vertical surface, such as a wall or fence, rather than being planted in the ground.
Vertical gardens are a great option for folks who don't have a ton of space in their backyards, as well as those whose soil isn't particularly hospitable. You can hang flower pots or planter boxes from the fence at regular intervals (just make sure they aren't too heavy) and have an easy-to-manage garden in no time.
For those who are installing a fence in their yard and know they want to have a vertical garden as well, it's a good idea to talk to the fencing contractor about your plans before you begin. As this blog mentions, the right contractor is essential to great landscaping outcomes. They need to know what you want early on, though, so they can provide you with the best advice.
6. Add Fencing Around Your Flower Beds
To enhance the shady garden areas of your house and protect them from kids or pets, consider adding some fencing around flower beds or your garden. A low, sturdy fence can work wonders when it comes to keeping people or animals out of your garden areas, and there are plenty of options that are easy to install but don't obstruct your view.
Look for fencing that matches the existing fence around your backyard. You can also find styles that line up with the other decor in your yard. For example, if you have lots of black metal furniture, a black metal fence will help to tie the yard together.
7. Build Around Existing Plant Life
If there are existing trees or shrubs in your backyard, consider working with them and building around them rather than tearing them up.
For example, you could build a bench around a large tree and create a comfortable and shady sitting area in your yard very easily (and affordably). Some people even build patios or decks around the trees in their yard.
You can also use existing plant life to divide up your yard and establish different areas for different activities. Remember, you don't always have to rip everything out and start from scratch.
8. Create Curves
If you're planning on taking care of your landscaping yourself, consider creating curved lines of grass around your flower beds or other parts of the backyard. Curved landscaping is often easier to maintain than strong, straight lines.
Curves are more forgiving, so you don't have to worry about being 100 percent precise right from the start. They add character, too, and create a sense of whimsy that works well for lots of homeowners.
9. Play with Levels
When you're starting from scratch with new landscaping, it can be fun to play with levels and work with different heights in your backyard instead of taking the time to make everything flat. If you have an area that's higher up, consider making that your focus point with a patio or lounge space, for example.
You could also use a lower level for a spa or pool, or you could establish a children's play area that's partially secluded. Kids will love having a place in the backyard that's their own, but it won't be so well-hidden that you can't find them.
10. Make It Modern
If you're not interested in keeping a lawn mowed and fertilized, consider a more modern backyard landscape that features lots of stones and gravel. You can use these tools to create dramatic, straight lines and geometric patterns that look great all year round. This is an especially good option if you live in a very dry area that requires a lot of water to keep your lawn green.
Speaking of greenery, you can still bring in pops of green, as well as other colors, when you choose this type of backyard landscape. Sturdy potted plants (succulents, hydrangeas, snake plants, etc.) and planter boxes are great for adding in some life while still being low maintenance.
Update Your Fencing and Landscaping Today
As you can see, there are lots of ways that you can improve your property's fencing and landscaping so that it looks great, appeals to buyers, and makes your home the place to go for outdoor hangouts. Keep these landscaping tips and ideas in mind, whether you're looking to revamp an older property or work on new home landscaping.
If you're looking for more outdoor home improvement inspiration, there are plenty of other articles to check out on our site. Head over to the outdoor decor section today to keep learning.