Front and center: Homeowners increasingly focused on curb appeal

Although landscaping is an important to a home’s aesthetic year-round, spring and summer tend to draw particular attention to landscaping as trees green and plants grow and bloom. And while back yards are still more popular when it comes to upgrades and remodeling projects, recent trends show front yards are garnering increased attention from homeowners.

According to the 2017 U.S. Houzz Landscaping Trends Survey, “homeowners are making significant changes to their front yards, creating landscapes that are distinctly different from neighboring properties.”

Houzz, an internet platform that boasts connecting millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals, also conducts annual research on design and remodeling trends.

(You can check out recent Tracy Tesmer Design/Remodeling projects on Houzz here.)

An increase in home renovation projects in 2016 and 2017 has extended to landscaping. Top motivations for launching a new landscaping project are new homeowners who want to personalize their yards, along with those who are moved to act by something breaking down or finally finding the money to make upgrades.

And it’s no surprise – Two thirds of homeowners say they use their outdoor spaces for relaxing by gardening, entertaining or spending time with their families.

Additional findings from the recent survey of homeowners include:

• Beds or borders, shrubs and perennials are most important to improving curb appeal.
• Low maintenance plants are the most popular, with those that attract birds or butterflies gaining popularity.
• Two out of five say their lawns are significantly different from neighboring yards.
• Three quarters of respondents made upgrades to their lawns when undertaking a landscaping project.
• Lighting is the most common outdoor system upgrade, with one in five installing lights that can be controlled by a mobile device. LEDs, low voltage and solar lights lead the way.
• Three-quarters of homeowners hired a professional for an outdoor project completed last year.
• One in five homeowners say they interact more with their neighbors after a landscaping update.
• More than half of all front yard renovations begin during a window from March to June.

Other projects such as siding replacement and entryway remodeling not only provide additional curb appeal but can add value to your home. Click here to read more.

Have a home design or renovation project on your mind? Contact us today to find out how we can turn your dreams into reality.