The Importance of Curb Appeal: Our Tips and Tricks for Designing the Outside as well as the Inside of your Home

When planning a new home build, most of the attention tends to focus on the interior: floor plans, kitchen finishes, bathroom tiles, and lighting choices. However, it is just as important (and sometimes even more impactful) to focus on the exterior design and landscaping. 

First impressions matter. A well-designed facade with complementary landscaping instantly elevates the home’s visual appeal and can boost its value significantly. Creating a welcoming exterior to the home creates a positive impact and a cohesive feel and design for the property. It not only looks good upon arrival. But it also sets the tone for the interior of the home. In this post we are going to focus on the importance of curb appeal. Here are our tips and tricks for designing the outside as well as the inside of your home

Combining Hardscape and Landscape 

Hardscaping refers to the non-living, man-made elements of an outdoor space like patios, walkways, retaining walls, and decks. These are made from materials such as stone, concrete, or wood providing structure, function, and permanence with minimal maintenance. Landscaping involves components like plants, trees, grass, and flowers. It adds natural beauty, color, and texture but requires ongoing care. Together, they create a balanced, functional, and visually appealing outdoor design.

Hardscaping

• Plan for function. Think about how the space will be used; entertaining, gardening, relaxing and design traffic flow accordingly.

• Ensure proper drainage. Hardscaping can cause water runoff issues if not designed correctly. Make sure patios, driveways, and retaining walls are sloped or graded away from the home.

• Work with the natural landscape. Let nature and the natural surroundings dictate your layout. Let the existing grade and surroundings inform your layout. A great hardscape looks like it has always belonged. You want it to look like it's always existed and that it's not man made. A successful hardscape creates a feeling that it always was there and that is natural beauty in front of us. 

• Maintain Aesthetic Unity. Match your hardscape materials and color palette to the architecture of your home for a cohesive, intentional look.

  

Landscape

• Use layered planting. Plant 3 heights of plantings in an area. Think Low height or ground cover, medium height like bushes and flowers, and then tall or large plants and bushes. 

• Choose native plants. They’re more sustainable, require less water, and are naturally suited to local conditions suited to your climate for lower water use and fewer pest problems.

• Plan for year round appeal with a mix of evergreens, flowering plants, and ornamental grasses.

• Design for the future by leaving space for plants to mature as well as room for future additions, or seasonal decor. Continue yearly upkeep by applying fresh mulch every year and a good weed control program.

Keep in Mind the Design of the Home

• Not all houses are the same, so not all exteriors should be the same. It is important to know that a modern home will not necessarily have the same stylings from an 18th century English garden all throughout the exterior. Instead it will have a more modern, brutalist style composed of hardscape and natural materials. Modern homes tend to be more minimal and have a lot of hardscape. 

Designing with Symmetry and Balance

• You should find a designer or team that matches your aesthetics and understands what kind of home you have and how that should be designed. 

• Draw it out. Draw out your plants, your hardscape, everything. Try to visualize as much as possible initially so you can see it come to life before you start working.

Create a Budget

• Create a budget. Knowing what you will spend upfront will help you make decisions for your exterior design. If you can't do everything you want at once, then work towards that goal/design and create a phased plan. 

An intentional exterior design does more than look good, it shapes the way your home is experienced and perceived. A mismatched or poorly thought-out exterior can disrupt the harmony of a home, while a cohesive design enhances everything about it.

By designing with purpose and blending structure, nature, and style, you’re not just building curb appeal. You're adding long-term value, beauty, and livability to your home.