An inviting outdoor space can completely transform the whole vibe of your property. Making smart landscape additions that are low maintenance yet enhance the curb appeal can be a way to turn your yard into a peaceful extension of your home. But does this mean spending your weekends mowing, pruning, or replanting?
In this guide, we will quickly walk through some stunning yet hassle-free yard beautification tips that can instantly boost the appeal and aesthetic of your home space.
Focus on Low-Maintenance Lawns
Even though you are an empty nester, the transformation and maintenance of your outdoor space should not feel like a second job. Activities like mowing, pruning, fertilizing, and irrigation consume a lot of time and energy. If you are looking for ways to improve the vibe of your garden without wasting much time, making the following changes can be beneficial.
- Drought-Tolerant Sod or Grass Varieties: Adding drought-tolerant grasses like Bermuda grass and Bahiagrass, which can tolerate the extreme climatic conditions, can be beneficial as they do not need much care and provide excellent curb appeal.
- Artificial Turf: For empty nesters, artificial turf offers year-round greenery, reducing the need for mowing, irrigation, and watering. For shady areas where normal grass won’t grow, and homeowners wish to make low-maintenance additions, this can be a suitable option.
- Reduced Lawn Areas: Reducing the grass area altogether can be another exceptional way to eliminate the stress of taking care of it. You can simply widen the walkway, add stone flooring to improve the aesthetics of the space, or simply use decorative gravel.
Plant Native and Drought-Tolerant Flowers
Though garden beds can bring charm and instantly elevate the whole look of the space, they also demand care and attention. For empty nesters, substituting annual flowers with native and drought-tolerant species can be beneficial.
Native plants tend to adapt to the climatic conditions of the place, and once fully established, can be easily taken care of. Mexican feather grass, Coneflowers, and Salvia are some examples of the native plants that you can incorporate into your outdoor space.
You can also add hardy perennial shrubs that do not require much maintenance, but can still improve the aura of the space and make your garden look more lively.
Add Hardscaping for Structure and Style
Hardscaping can be one of the best low-maintenance additions an empty nester can make to enhance the curb appeal of the property. This basically refers to adding non-living elements to the garden area, which are visually appealing as well.
- Adding decorative gravels and light colored pavers with ground cover can be an excellent option to incorporate a soft touch to the outdoor settings.
- If you have a sloppy garden, retaining walls can be a brilliant addition to elevate the vibe of the garden. It not only prevents soil erosion but also adds a design to the space.
Gravel patio, wood deck, brick paver patio, or stone fireplace are some hardscaping options that can bring structure and style to your garden and do not require much maintenance.
Choose Trees and Shrubs That Work for You
For empty nesters, plant selection can be a major decision. Large flowering trees may bring shade and color to the front lawn, but beauty comes with maintenance. Messy leaves, extreme flower shedding, or even aggressive root structure can cause a lot of problems.
It is best to choose low-growing, evergreen varieties that require little maintenance and don’t make much mess. Some smart choices include Crêpe Myrtle, Redbud Evergreen Shrubs, and other ornamental grasses.
Build Outdoor Living Spaces for Relaxation
Enhancing your outdoor living area into a functional, comfortable, and relaxing environment can be the best transformation for your garden. A space where you can host friends and have leisure time is best for empty nesters.
Installing fire pits, fountains, or simply adding lounge chairs for relaxation allows you to blend comfort with style while having to worry about upkeep. You can also build an entertainment space by adding a solar-powered music deck or outdoor kitchen for party nights.
Invest in Smart Irrigation and Drainage
Water management can make or break the whole vibe of the outdoor space. Too much watering will eventually turn the ground soggy and mushy, while too little can dry it out. Investing in smart irrigation and drainage can eliminate the guesswork and make maintenance easy while conserving water.
- In turf areas, smart sprinklers work best as they can adjust the frequency of watering depending on the climate, which will eventually keep the plants healthy and save water too.
- Drip lines and water emitters can also be a perfect addition, as they directly water the roots of the plant, reducing evaporation, which saves 30-50% of water.
- Improving the soil quality, raising the garden beds, or simply investing in gravel channels can fix problems like waterlogging or soggy ground covers.
Smart irrigation and drainage can save you from excessive yard work, which will ultimately give empty nesters peace of mind and a visually appealing property.
Incorporate Decorative Gravel, Lighting, and Mulch
To define your outdoor space, incorporate decorative gravel, lighting, and mulch. Try using contrasting colors and textures to elevate the look of your garden area. Not every part of the front lawn needs to be green!
- Make stunning walkways using decorative gravel, crushed granite, or river stones. To brighten a shady spot, use a striking backdrop to highlight the plant or other aspects of the garden.
- Try adding a mulch ring around the trees to retain the moisture, regulate the temperature of the soil, and suppress weed formation. It not only saves important nutrients but also enhances the aesthetic of the garden.
- Consider adding pathway lights to make the space more welcoming and lively, especially at night. Use embedded LED strip lights to highlight the walkway, or simply add light behind plants or trees to create a silhouette effect.
Simplify With Maintenance Plans
Even after making smart landscaping additions, every yard needs little maintenance. For empty nesters, it is beneficial to outsource regular care for their outdoor space. Seasonal cleanups and professional maintenance ensures your landscape always exhibits calmness and positive energy.
Taking smart landscaping steps is necessary, but it shouldn’t be tiring. By planning carefully and including the right features, you can create a space that reflects your lifestyle and allows you time to relax and enjoy.
