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Point of Interest Curb Appeal
Point of Interest - Curb Appeal Building Tips
For Front Yards
With a few sleights of hand - the gardener's hand, you can incorporate a point of interest in your landscape plan. When you create a point of interest, you create instant curb appeal as if by magic!
The idea behind creating a point of interest is to lure the eyes of potential homebuyers. And beyond drawing the eye, it can help break up a rectangular yard, make a small yard appear larger, or even add an element of elevation to a flat yard. Following are some ideas for how to incorporate a focal point into your front yard for maximum curb appeal.
Probably the most irresistible point of interest is a water feature! People are naturally drawn to water. This feature works well in a secluded, courtyard setting. You can use a birdbath with a fountain, a freestanding fountain or a small pond as a focal point of interest. You can even find solar-powered birdbaths, fountains and water pumps so you won’t have to pay another dime on your electric bill! Water pumps and all-natural water additives will help keep your water feature free of algae.
After all, you want a point of interest, not a headache! A water feature will attract some birds, which will lend your yard a Garden of Eden aura of peacefulness. The trickling water sound will also be soothing and relaxing to prospective homebuyers--and what more important factor is there for a home other than being a refuge for relaxation?
Of course, you’ll want to enhance your water feature point of interest by highlighting it with landscaping elements. This can include mulch or landscaping gravel, along with flowers, larger rocks or even outdoor lighting.
And speaking of flowers, rocks and shrubs, they are an effective focal points in and of themselves! Just place them within a landscaping bed composed of mulch or smaller landscaping rocks to create that special look. Be careful not to choose perennial flowers that will only bloom during one time of the year; you want to draw eyes to your point of interest during the entire home selling season. So you should choose low-maintenance annuals that provide a splash of bright color. Better yet, that splash of bright color should harmonize with or offset the colors of your house.
You can even incorporate small ornamental trees in such a point of interest. You don’t want to add a hardwood sapling, as it will just look like a twig with a few leaves jutting out. But for established trees, where grass won't grow, adding a raised bed and planting an attractive ground cover like Pachysandra, you can transform an unsightly spot. Consider small ornamental trees, such as Japanese maple,they look full grown although they’re compact. And the richly colored foliage will be attractive all season long.
Another highly effective point of interest, although clichéd, is a picket fence! Nothing stirs a prospective homebuyer’s nostalgic sense of “home sweet home” like a picket fence! If it fits the style of your house consider this classic.
Another trick for creating a point of interest is to place a trellis or arbor over your walkway. Not only does this create a visual point of interest for the eye, but it creates a doorway that beckons potential buyers to discover what lies beyond. And if you have with ornamental vines or flowers cascading along your trellis or arbor, it will emphasis the cottage look.
Creating a point of interest to enhance your curb appeal is like waving your magic wand to mesmerize buyers!
