Increase Your Curb Appeal
Scott Parker of landscape architecture firm DesignWorks offers easy, can’t-miss tips for enlivening your exterior one step at a time
Suit Yourself:
Consider what you want to see when you pull into the drive, not what others want to see,” says Parker. Much of this depends on how you plan to use your outdoor space. “If you’ve got kids, leave a wide-open area for them to play,” he suggests. Like to entertain? Focus on creating a comfortable place to gather. For inspiration, take a stroll through your favorite neighborhoods, noting which elements of a house’s façade speak to you.
Organize the View:
Before you begin adding a colorful pot here, a birdbath there, look at the bigger picture: “You want to create a sense of structure for the front of your home,” advises Parker. This might mean installing a low fence around the lawn’s perimeter, adding a pathway to the porch, or creating a seating area. “These elements offer a place for the eye to rest and convey a clear sense of how the space is meant to be used.” Tip: “In creating visual organization, a little yard work can go a long way. Prune greenery that’s grown into walkways, add mulch at the base of plantings, and define flower beds.”
Make a Grand Entrance:
Your front door should convey a warm welcome. “It’s one of the first things people notice,” says Parker. Brush on new paint, prune away overgrown plants, then flank the entrance with a pair of garden urns or topiaries. “And a path leading to the door is a must.” To add one, choose a material that complements the style of your house. “Brick and bluestone are popular for traditional homes, while regular or tabby concrete works well with modern styles.” Tip: Plants can add emphasis to an existing pathway or create one of their own. Try mondo grass for a come-as-you-will look or stick to formalities with a boxwood hedge.
Brighten Up:
A crisp coat of paint is the quickest way to gussy up your home’s exterior. Ideally, you should repaint every three to five years—hiring professionals and using a premium paint from a manufacturer like Valspar or Olympic can help ensure a longer-lasting job. Tip: Can’t decide on a color palette? “A color combination that is widely appealing is yellow with white trim,” says Parker.
Landscape Lightly:
Don’t go overboard with “foundation gardens,” says Parker. “The house ends up looking like it is floating on a cloud and has no relationship to the ground.” Instead, think less is more: “One tree in the right location could be better than three in different spots.” Tip: Grass is another habit worth breaking, notes Parker, who prefers trees, shrubs, and ground covers like ivy. “They are attractive and don’t require as much maintenance.”
Go Undercover:
“When viewing a house from the street, the garage is often the least appealing thing to look at,” says Parker, who suggests using a trellis to soften the structure’s appearance. Fashion one around garage doors with brackets and cable, then add an evergreen vine, or pair a store-bought wooden version with climbing roses. Tip: Use fast-growing shrubs like wax myrtle, privet, and ligustrum to hide eyesores like recycling storage.
—Amanda Munn
 Can’t Get Enough Design Inspiration?
Log onto editor Ellen McGauley’s “On the House” blog.
Find Ellen’s notes on designer Eric Cohler’s Antiques Week lecture, favorite grasses and flowering plants, and hot new items hitting the market. Click here! |
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