In this country, a gorgeous, well-kept, and manicured front yard is more than just a sign of excellent maintenance—it’s a representation of the American dream. As exaggerated as that may sound, consider the fact that fully landscaped front lawns can add significant value to the price of your home should you ever decide to sell. Furthermore, a nice front yard will help to enhance the curb appeal of your entire neighborhood—which could be something worth considering if keeping the peace with your neighbors is important to you.

Ready to start your landscaping project for your front yard? Not so fast! As beneficial as landscaping can be for your home’s value (and your social status in the neighborhood), poor landscaping choices can and will work against you. To avoid a potential landscaping disaster, steer clear of making these five common mistakes for your home’s front yard makeover in 2018. 

Hiring an Amateur for Discounted Landscaping Work

Make sure that the landscaping contractor you choose is fully licensed and insured for the best possible outcome. Avoid hiring amateurs at all costs, as the money you save isn’t likely to be worth the headache, hassle, and heartache of a bad landscaping job.

Landscaping is more complicated than it may seem, and licensed professionals will come equipped with the horticultural expertise, manpower, and state-of-the-art gardening and landscaping tools necessary to get the job done right. Needless to say, we can’t guarantee that an unlicensed, amateur landscaper will deliver the same results. 

Planting Without a Plan

One of the fastest ways to move towards a landscaping disaster is to start digging without a proper plan. A well-manicured, beautifully landscaped yard requires plenty of research and organization—just as any home renovation project will. A professional landscaper can help you create a design layout that makes sense and avoids costly mistakes. 

Garden Gnomes, Plastic Flamingos, and Statues, Oh My!

From garden gnomes and stone amphibians to lawn jockeys and pink flamingos, when it comes to lawn ornaments, you either hate them or love them. If you happen to love them, keep in mind that many of your neighbors may not, and overloading your front yard with your whimsical creatures might get you kicked off the list of invites to the next block party.

All kidding aside, if you happen to love lawn ornaments, try keeping them to a minimum. Too many can come across as tacky, which is never a good look for a home. 

Improper Care and Over-Pruning of Shrubs


While shrubs can be a wonderful addition to any landscaping project, make sure that they’re trimmed properly. Shrubs that grow too high can quickly overtake the yard or your home’s exterior, while over-trimmed shrubs will look unsightly and unkempt. 

Improper pruning methods can ruin your shrubs, and letting them grow out of control won’t deliver the look that you want either. Ask your landscaping contractor to give you tips on pruning your shrubs and how to allow them to grow to reach an ideal size and shape.

Knowing When to Quit 

Landscaping a yard can be a long, drawn-out process that can last for years. In fact, some homeowners become so used to cultivating their landscaped yards over the years, that they’re not sure what to do when there’s nothing left to add, remove, or change. Once you’re satisfied with the way your lawn looks, stop enhancing and start maintaining to allow yourself to enjoy the fruits of your garden. 

For some homeowners, it’s easy to fall in love with the process of landscaping—even once everything looks perfect. If you’re looking for more ways to enhance your home’s value while spending more time in your beautiful yard, consider adding a sunroom. A beautifully constructed sunroom addition can dramatically enhance the curbside appeal of your home while allowing you to bring more of the outdoors inside with you.

Since 2004, Palmetto Porches has been a trusted Savannah sunroom company, helping area residents spend more time enjoying the outdoors with beautiful four-season sunrooms, patio enclosures, and more. If you’re interested in a sunroom installation for your property, give us a call to find out more now. You can also fill out our online form, and one of our friendly sunroom installers will contact you to schedule your free, in-home pricing estimate.