How to Improve the Value of Your Home With Front Yard Landscaping

Define an area to be landscaped, ideally extending it at least 10 feet past the left and right edges of the home, as seen from the street. This helps connect the home to the land more than limiting landscaping to the area directly in front of the home. Creating curved boundaries around the landscaped areas creates a contrast to the angularity of the home.

Design your landscape either symmetrically or asymmetrically. If the door to your home is in the center, a symmetric approach looks very clean and is easy to execute because you only have to design a plan for half of the yard. An asymmetric approach may lend more visual interest, but you have to be careful to balance the visual weight of landscaping on either side of the house.

Plant a large tree on each side of your home to frame it. These trees also help define the edges of the property, according to the University of Missouri Extension, and draw the viewer's eye in toward the front door.

Plant shrubs at the front corners of your home to soften the corners and blend the home into the surrounding landscape.

Plant smaller shrubs as you get closer to the front door. Having large plants close to the front door can cause confusion because they hide the door.

Purchase two large pots and place one on each side of the front door or the path near the front door. Plant seasonal flowers in these pots to add color and make the property look more inviting.

Replace a concrete front walk with a walkway made of stone, brick or wood, depending on the style and materials used in your home. The University of Missouri Extension recommends making the path at least 4 feet wide to accommodate wheelchairs or two people walking side by side.