Sellers: Which Landscaping Trends to Try—And What to Skip

Now is a great time to start planning your landscaping projects. As you ponder the plethora of options you can add to your landscape, the following are some that our REALTORS®  recommend and some that you should leave for someone else's lawn. 

Trends to Follow

• Trend #1 - Kept It Low-Maintenance
  21st-century life is moving faster and faster. With more to do, that means less time to take care of the landscape. If there's one overarching trend, low-maintenance is the bedrock you want to build your landscape upon. Think simple, classy, and minimal maintenance with your decorative elements, plants, grass, etc.

• Trend #2 - What Was Inside, Is Now Outside, too
  Outdoor living areas are growing in popularity. Outdoor sitting areas complete with fully automated surround sound audio and video systems are ideal for entertaining. Better still, upgrade the backyard grill to a backyard kitchen outfitted with refrigerators, sinks, cutting tables, and everything you need to host a backyard bash that will have the neighbors begging for an invite. 

• Trend #3 - Lay Porcelain Tile
  Concrete, wood, and other outdoor building elements tend to suffer the effects of weather as time passes. Porcelain flooring does not. It is resilient and designed to last. Most importantly, it won't absorb moisture (thus, it won't expand and crack), plus it's highly resistant to scratches and damage, so it will look new for many years to come.

• Trend #4 - Light It Up
  Homeowners want to enjoy their landscape long after the sun goes down for the day. The right combination of downlight, bullet, garden, well, and wash light can create a stunning ambiance for you to enjoy. When you get the mix just right, you'll see just how fast the lights attract interested buyers to your door. 

• Trend #5 - Xeriscaping is Still in Vogue
  Xeriscaping is geared toward creating the most eco-friendly landscape possible. Its primary purpose is to minimize water consumption. As a bonus, it also reduces maintenance. While there's typically plenty of moisture in New York, it never hurts to shave a few more dollars off the water bill.

• Trend #6 - Climb the Walls with Your Garden
  Vertical gardening is ideal for small landscapes where space is at a premium. However, it's also popular in larger landscapes because it frees up space for more substantial patios, outdoor seating areas, swimming pools, etc. A well-positioned vertical garden can also create privacy or be used to create an aromatic backdrop when filled with herbs and spices. 

Things to Skip

• #1 - Don't Make It Too Eclectic
  Ornate designs look great in photographs, but not so much in real-life. When in doubt, opt for simple elegance rather than a creative pattern that may not match the home.

• #2 - Don't Mismatch the Front and Backyard
  What you have upfront for the neighbors to see, should match what you have in the back for your enjoyment. Make sure the front yard and backyard have a cohesive design and layout.

• #3 - Planting Any Tree
  The right trees add value to a property; the wrong trees do just the opposite. Pick low-maintenance, hearty growth trees that do well in New York's climate as opposed to exotic species that may wither and die. 

Contact us for more information about the landscaping ideas we recommend to clients preparing to settle into their new home or preparing to sell their current home soon. It's our pleasure to answer your questions and tell you more about what we see in Nassau County and Suffolk County homes for sale.