How Landscaping Can Increase Your Property Value
- Lilly
- Jan 27
- 7 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Did you know that landscaping could raise your property’s value by 77%?
"While 77% may sound ambitious, these figures are mirrored by insights from RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), which consistently highlight that high-quality external environments are primary drivers for property valuations." While most people believe there is no magic formula to increase a home’s worth, recent studies say otherwise. Believe it or not, upgrades like landscaping can dramatically boost your property's value.
Homeowners who are planning to sell their house must consider upgrades to get the maximum out of their property. While there are several other home improvement ideas, such as a swimming pool or a kitchen update, none can give you as much return as landscaping.
A garden, even without landscaping, can increase a property’s value by around 20%.
Unlike the general perception, landscaping is much more than enhancing the outlook of your garden or home. In fact, it’s a strategic investment that can improve your home's functionality while making it look more attractive.
Before we look at how landscaping can increase your property’s value, let us first examine its importance, types, and benefits.
The Importance of Landscaping
Landscaping does not just mean adding pretty plants and flowers to your garden. In fact, it has a broad scope and covers several designs, maintenance modifications, and upgrades.
The purpose of landscaping is to improve the beauty of your home. However, that is not all. It also aims to make the outdoor space more functional. It can provide you with a much-needed space to relax, have fun, eat, or just be close to nature. No other place within or outside a home can offer such opportunities.
Proper landscaping contributes to quicker sales and wider market appeal
Without doubt, landscaping has several advantages. That is why it is considered the most important upgrade you can choose to increase your property’s worth.
Here are some of the noteworthy benefits of landscaping that make it the best choice for homeowners looking for the most profitable improvement for their home:
Quicker Sale
Statistics show that homes with well-designed landscaping sell faster than those without such improvement. A well-maintained exterior attracts the buyers at once. It also signals that the entire property is well-maintained and worth buying. A house with a well-maintained exterior will have a perfect interior as well! That’s the impression it helps create in potential buyers' minds.
Curb Appeal
As they rightly say, first impressions are the last impressions. It is true when it comes to landscaping. A well-designed lawn with effective landscaping helps create a powerful first impression, instantly attracting buyers. It establishes immediate visual appeal, which is essential for winning over potential customers.
Functionality
To make your outdoor space more practical, landscaping can be an excellent idea. Options such as hardscaping with seating areas, patios, and decks enhance your exterior's value and functionality. Such changes will help increase the worth of your property. Potential buyers would love to have additional areas where they can sit, unwind, or entertain themselves, compared to homes without such options. Such spaces are perfect places for families to sit together and have a great time. They can also be ideal for guests, as they allow you to entertain them close to nature.
Environmental Benefits
People who are health-conscious love to live close to plants and trees. Not only do these landscaping elements provide shade and shelter, but they also help to improve air quality, which is essential for healthy living. In the same way, landscaping helps reduce noise and support local wildlife, allowing you and the buyers to play a vital role in helping the nation achieve its net-zero goals.
This acts as a summary of the benefits discussed and prepares the reader for the technical breakdown of Hardscaping vs. Softscaping.
Types of Landscaping
While there are various types to choose from, landscaping is broadly divided into two categories: softscaping and hardscaping. The landscaping option you choose depends on your personal preferences, the space you have, your budget, your goals, and how much time you are willing to spend.
Softscaping. This type of landscaping refers to plants, lawns, shrubs, trees, and flowers. In other words, softscaping includes elements that add colour, texture, and life to your exterior. From plants and flowers to lawns and shrubs, these landscaping options can add character and aesthetic appeal to your lawn. (Note: Ensure your lawn remains an asset; fixing brown patches is essential to maintaining this value). You can also add visual interest with plants. Likewise, flowers are indispensable to any lawn, helping the outdoor space look vibrant and appealing. Adding shrubs and hedges will help you introduce structure, while trees can improve air quality. However, always ensure mature trees are structurally sound by checking for emergency hazard signs.
Choosing the right trees, plants, and flowers is essential to ensure the right look for your garden. Make sure you select plants that suit the local climate. The soil type is also crucial when choosing the plants and flowers for your garden.
Hardscaping
Hardscaping is an equally important aspect of landscaping. It includes patios, seating walls, and lighting. The non-living elements come under this type of landscaping, helping add structure and functionality to your exterior. An effective landscaping will include all these elements of hardscaping, from paths and seating to lighting to patios.
Each element has its own set of benefits. For example, paths and walkways are ideal to guide movement through outdoor spaces. They help to enhance accessibility and safety while connecting different areas within a lawn. Paved patios and regions, on the other hand, help create functional exteriors. They are best for dining, relaxing or entertaining.
Due to the functional aspects of hardscaping, they help you improve the value of your property much more than you can imagine. They extend the usable area of your home, providing additional space for relaxation and dining that other upgrades cannot.
Another critical aspect of hardscaping is walls and raised borders. They have several paybacks, including managing changes in level and creating boundaries within your lawn. Lighting is a critical part of landscaping that enhances aesthetics and provides safety.
Take time to design your hardscaping. A well-designed hardscape can help you add value to your property, enhance its appearance, and provide unmatched functionality that instantly attracts potential buyers.
Landscaping Ideas to Add Value
While there are several elements you can include in landscaping, here are some of the most exciting and practical ideas that can help you add value to your property without much difficulty:
Add Patios
Certain elements, such as patios, decking, and seating areas, can help extend living space. Adding these hardscaping options will significantly enhance your property's value. These are not only aesthetically appealing but also highly useful, enabling buyers to enjoy a better lifestyle.
Go for Low-Maintenance Gardens
It is always recommended to make use of eco-friendly features. Using rainwater harvesting (The stored rainwater can be used for many tasks around the house, from washing clothes and toilet flushing to outdoor activities like cleaning cars and watering the garden), native plant gardens, etc., can be excellent.
Pay Attention to the Front
Pay maximum attention to the front lawn, as this is the area that anyone will see as they enter your home. Before you make any other changes, it is essential to start with the front area. Making minor landscaping improvements, such as well-defined pathways and trimmed hedges, can significantly increase your home's value. Add plants and flowers to create a lasting impression.
Use Lighting
The importance of lighting cannot be overstressed. Lighting not only improves safety but also creates a dramatic effect that enhances visual appeal. Make sure you pick and place the lights appropriately, maximising aesthetics and functionality. There are plenty of options to choose from. Do not rush and do some research before you make a decision.
Landscaping: Common Pitfalls
While the idea of landscaping for boosting property value is exciting, many people fail to make the most of it. Homeowners often make mistakes that undermine the value of landscaping, preventing them from achieving the desired results.
Here are some common pitfalls to avoid while you plan your landscape to improve the outlook of your home and increase its worth:
Overlooking functionality. Many homeowners are carried away with the idea of visual appeal and do not consider the usefulness. It is a mistake that you must avoid. A garden should not only look beautiful, but it must also be functional. If the paths are not correctly placed and the seating area is insufficient and untidy, it will not only affect the practical aspects but also the aesthetic appeal of your garden. Make sure you balance beauty with everyday practicality, as this is what will make an ideal lawn.
Poor drainage. Since the UK experiences regular rainfall, it is critical to focus on proper drainage. If you don’t have adequate drainage, it will cause several problems, including plant loss, damaged patio, and waterlogged lawns. Make sure you include proper drainage solutions from the start.
"Beyond simple runoff, 2026 standards prioritize Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). Integrating permeable paving or rain gardens ensures your property remains compliant with local environmental regulations while protecting your patio from water damage."
Ignoring the climate. Make sure you always pick plants, trees, and flowers that suit the UK climate. Many people choose plants without considering the environment that suits them. It is essential to choose plants and trees that can withstand heavy rainfall, frost, and summer heat. If you pick options at random, you will see plants struggling. So it is best to select species suited to local conditions.
Overcrowding plants. While the idea of having many plants and trees seems excellent, overcrowding your lawn is not recommended. The reason is that plants need space to grow. You must avoid overcrowding, as it restricts airflow and increases the risk of disease.
Neglecting maintenance. Proper care and maintenance are essential for any beautiful garden. It is best to go for landscaping that is easy to maintain. Select low-maintenance options so that you do not have to spend too much on care.
Well-Planned Landscaping: A Simple Step to Maximise Your Property’s Value
Whether you are planning to upgrade your home for general maintenance or planning to sell soon, well-planned landscaping can be the best way to enjoy several lifestyle and financial benefits.
The idea of landscaping, without doubt, can take the value of your property beyond your imagination. It is not only about pretty flowers and lush green grass; it is a long-term investment that will help you make the most of your outdoor spaces.
Not only will it make your home more functional and beautiful, but a well-designed landscape is a strategic move to enhance curb appeal and significantly increase property value.
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