We’ve been in the virtual redesign game for quite a while now. This means we’ve got some secret landscape ideas up our sleeves to make any home stand out…and we’ve decided to spill a few. So if you’ve hit a wall with your plans and you’re lacking inspiration, this one is for you.
5 Landscape Ideas to Make Any Home Stand Out
Use Stone Slabs to Extend a Patio Area
Investing in a patio for your front lawn is a big commitment, but who can resist adding a cute sitting area to a home without a front porch? One way to visually extend your patio without removing half the grass on your lawn is to add stone slabs in front of it. We love the look of organic stone shapes for Tudor cottages, but clean, geometric shapes really complement midcentury homes. You can also play around with color and stone types.
These stone slabs can double as a walkway to your front door as well, depending on the rest of the landscape. And if you or your future buyers get tired of the patio, it’s much less costly to remove stone slabs and a small patio than it is to remove one large patio.
Choose Native Plants–They’re Harder to Kill!
Maybe you weren’t born with a green thumb, or maybe you’re just super busy. Regardless of the reason you don’t have a good track record with plants, choosing native plants can set you up for success. Native plants are ones that grow naturally around your home’s geographical location, so they can thrive despite neglect. You might notice that most native plants have a wild and carefree look to them, so you may need to occasionally trim them to make sure they look intentional and less like a weed.
Plus, growing native plants can actually save you money. You can start many of them by seed rather than purchasing a mature plant because they grow so quickly. Native plants also require less frequent waterings. Basically, planting large, flowering native plants is a cost-effective way to make your neighbors stop and stare.
Mix Bush Styles to Add Texture
Let’s be honest, a whole row of tiny boxwood shrubs spaced evenly apart can look pretty boring. We’re all for symmetry, which is why we love neatly trimmed shrubs. But mixing in ones that aren’t as neatly trimmed adds texture, as illustrated in the redesign above. To give a new life to neatly trimmed bushes, we suggest growing a few native shrubs with organic shapes next to them. However, too many untamed native plants can start to look more like weeds, so make sure to routinely maintain them.
We are also big proponents for choosing fewer, larger bushes rather than several small ones. For one, planting small shrubs too closely together can stunt their growth. Secondly, multiple small bushes can give your lawn a cluttered look. A professional landscape designer can help you choose the right bushes to pair together.