Summer provides the perfect opportunity to showcase the beauty of your home’s exterior.
Maintaining an outdoor space during this season holds numerous benefits for homeowners, such as enhancing curb appeal to create a serene summer paradise.
What's in this article?
Grab your gardening gloves, and let’s explore our top 10 landscaping and exterior tips so that your home can have its best-looking summer.
Get inspired
If you want to revitalize your landscaping for the summer, start gathering ideas early. A clear end goal can help inspire your creativity.
For instance, if you envision an elegant backyard retreat, specific landscaping ideas can bring that vision to life.
Searching for inspiration, such as on Pinterest, is a valuable starting point. Save the best pins to a board for inspiration and insight into how to practically implement these ideas in your own space.
Ready To Take Your Next Step?
Set your budget
When envisioning your ideal landscaping project, getting carried away and overspending is easy. Walking into a greenhouse or nursery without a plan can be tempting and detrimental to your finances.
Setting a budget is crucial: factor in any necessary tools, especially for larger projects (“hardscaping”) or extensive digging. If you plan on planting flowers or a garden, map out where they’ll go so you know how many you’ll need.
Although a budget serves as a guide, it helps to keep your spending in check and focus on acquiring what you truly need for your landscaping plans.
If you need extra funds to complete this project, consider a cash-out refinance. Tap into your home’s equity and use the funds for any project you want!
Consider your house style
When creating a stunning landscape around your home, it’s important to consider the design and architecture of your house. While many people focus on the size of the lawn or the shape and slope of the front yard, they often overlook a critical piece of the puzzle: the house itself.
The style of your home can be a deciding factor in the overall look and feel of your garden.
Is your home a charming cottage with a country or farmhouse vibe? Does it boast a sleek and modern design? Understanding your home’s unique character can help you craft a landscape that complements its style and enhances its visual appeal.
For instance, for cottage-style homes, consider creating gardens that evoke a rustic and cozy atmosphere. Choose plants and flowers that exude a natural and slightly wild feel, like colorful cottage perennials and climbers.
Incorporate winding paths or picket fences to add to the charm. These elements will harmonize beautifully with your cottage’s country or farmhouse look and create a cohesive and inviting space.
If your home is more modern and minimalist, a spare and sleek garden will complement it best. Opt for clean lines and geometric shapes in your landscape design. Incorporate minimalist plantings that showcase their architectural features, such as ornamental grasses or succulents.
Embrace simplicity and let the clean lines of your home’s architecture take center stage.
Outdoor maintenance
Maintaining a beautiful exterior goes beyond just landscaping—it also involves proper maintenance. You’ll ensure your home looks its best throughout the summer by taking care of the essential upkeep tasks.
Clean the exterior surfaces of your home, including windows, siding and decks. A quick wash can make a significant difference in enhancing the overall appearance of your home.
Remove debris from the landscape, such as fallen leaves or branches. Don’t forget to clean your outdoor furniture and accessories.
Use a pressure washer to remove stubborn dirt, mildew and stains from your driveway, patio or walkways. Clean out any water features, such as fountains or ponds.
Consider a color palette
When selecting plants for your front yard, consider your house’s color. The color wheel can be a valuable tool in this regard.
For instance, if you have a blue house, complement it with purple, pink, yellow and white flowers to create a calm and collected ambiance. If your house has red trim, opt for orange, bright yellow and red flowers to make them stand out.
Plant bright flowers
Summer comes with a plethora of hues! When looking at any home, color is one of the first things that captures someone’s eye.
Flowers may help your landscape stand out from the rest of the houses on the block. If you plan to sell, they’ll make a favorable first impression on potential buyers.
Instead of digging up the earth to plant flowers, use large flower pots. Fill them with flowers and arrange them strategically throughout your yard. Choose colors that complement the colors of your home.
Choose new lighting
Have you ever considered how your home looks at dusk or during the night? If it appears dark and lacks exterior lighting, it may be unappealing. Lighting plays a significant role in transforming your home’s exterior and also enhances its safety and security.
One option is low-voltage or solar-powered lights that automatically turn on as darkness falls. You can use these lights to line your walkways or string them around your porch, creating a cozy and secure space for your guests.
Maintain well-trimmed grass, shrubs, and trees
Trimming your grass, shrubs and trees is another landscaping tip that can greatly improve your home’s appearance, especially during summer.
Regularly mow and water the lawn; apply fertilizer to revive any dead patches if necessary. Well-groomed shrubs and trees give the impression of a well-maintained and spacious property, while unkempt vegetation may deter potential buyers.
Refresh the mulch
Mulch is a fantastic addition to any landscaping project. Like icing on a cake, mulch covers imperfections in your yard, creating a well-maintained and tidy appearance.
Besides its aesthetic benefits, mulch also provides advantages for your plants and the environment, especially if you opt for organic mulch. It helps suppress weed growth and retains moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering.
Plan for year-round appeal
A landscape that looks inviting throughout the year is crucial for curb appeal.
Incorporate elements that remain attractive even during the winter months. Choose trees, shrubs and materials that provide visual interest and attraction in every season. Plant flowers and other greenery that will return annually.
Looking to get a new home this summer?
Is your family seeking to buy a new home or refinance a mortgage loan this summer?
Don’t miss the opportunity to save money and secure better terms. Let Compass Mortgage be your trusted partner to achieve your financial goals.
Take advantage of our competitive rates, flexible terms and exceptional customer care.
Don’t wait—start your journey toward a better financial future today!
Photo by Get Lost Mike