Your home’s exterior may be overlooked, but it doesn’t have to stay that way! We all want a lawn where we can entertain guests and enjoy a little downtime when we’re not working. To many, this may seem like a lofty and impossible goal, but it isn’t.

By working with these ideas, you can create a property that’s inviting and exciting from the inside out.

1. Remember to Visualize Ahead of Time

When you start planning your yard, it’s a good idea to draw out a guide for yourself. Using tools like Google Earth or Maps, you can take a screenshot of what your home and yard look like from above. From here, either print the photo or use a free app to draw your plans onto it.

Consider things like adding height variance to plants, and consider what you want your yard to be for yourself and your loved ones.

2. Invest in Native Plantlife

Although you may love the look of a lush rainforest, if you’re in a dry area, it’s not always a possibility. The best way to get a yard that looks beautiful while being low-maintenance is to invest in native plants. These plants evolved to be healthy and thrive in your local environment!

Although some HOAs have regulations against native-plant lawns, you can still use a few species that speak to you. This is also a great way to save money.

3. Consider Artificial Turf

The bright green grass most of us have in our lawns isn’t native to North America! Most of these are plants that originate from Europe, which means they struggle in most environments here. Unfortunately, that can ruin any hopes you have of a green lawn unless you spend hundreds per month on watering it.

Thankfully, artificial turf is incredible. This natural-looking turf has been able to look amazing for decades and comes with low maintenance and no watering required. Artificial grass suppliers are able to go over what will look best for your lawn and area, and you can get a bespoke fit to your needs.

4. Add Shade for Comfort

One of the largest things that stop people from spending more time outside is the heat in summer. We like the idea of being outside, but once that sun and warmth hit us, we can quickly find ourselves back inside. 

Adding shade is a must! If you’re struggling to decide on pergola vs trellis, you’re not alone! The important thing is that you add a cool area where you can lounge out of the sun.

5. Break Up Usable Spaces

There’s nothing wrong with a large and empty lawn, but that’s not always the best way to get used out of an area. Instead, break areas up with pavers. There’s a big debate about porcelain vs concrete pavers, but both have their perks and flaws. The important thing is how you use them.

Pavers allow you to set aside specific lounging space or can help level and area to build an outdoor kitchen. Pay attention to what areas of your lawn might gather the most water if it rains a lot because you can use these pavers to disguise an in-ground drainage system.

6. Consider Every Season

Don’t forget the cold! Although it’s a good idea to create a lawn that invites you out in the summer, cold seasons need some love, too! If you live somewhere that gathers snow in the cold, consider putting in heated concrete or patios. These will be exciting when the temperature drops and can happily stay off during the warm months. 

7. Make Outdoor Entertainment Exciting

Everyone loves a great gathering, so it’s a good idea to stop and think about what you can do to make an awesome party. Think about adding an outdoor kitchen, a fire pit, a nice conversational area, or even a food garden where you can serve food that you grew in the summer!

There are awesome televisions, projectors, and screens that work year-round outside, so if you want to bring the party into the great outdoors, this is a fantastic option.

8. Bring the Inside Out

When you’re planning your home’s exterior, consider your personal design tastes. What colors, wood stains, structural points, and details speak to you? What visual information do you dislike? Many people stain their deck the same color as the wood of whatever room it steps out of, and others get pillows and cushions for the outdoors that match common prints, colors, or patterns they have on the interior.

Following this step will make your home feel more cohesive instead of divided into two different spaces.

Your Home’s Exterior Can Be a Showstopper

Whether you’re working to update your home before you sell or you’re excited to create an oasis for your loved ones, following these tips can make it happen! Consider checking out Archer’s Homes to make this process easier!