The spring is the most popular time of year to undertake a home landscaping project, as winter storms fade and the weather gets warmer. And while the backyard remains the most popular location for outdoor renovation products, most homeowners who are tackling front-yard jobs want to make sure that their property stands out from the crowd.
In its 2017 U.S. Landscape Trends Survey, Houzz found that 69 percent of homeowners who have recently completed or are planning outdoor-space improvements focused on the backyard, similar to previous year’s poll results. Almost half of all outdoor projects begin from March to June, coinciding with one of real estate’s busiest seasons.
Forty-four percent of homeowners are taking on front-yard improvements, down from 54 percent last year. Before the project, 36 percent of homeowners reported that their front yards were nearly identical to neighboring properties, but after the work is done, only 6 percent feel that way. Forty-one percent of those surveyed say that their front yards are very or extremely different from other properties in the neighborhood once the overhaul is complete.
Upgraded flower beds and borders are the most popular front-yard improvement, cited by 47 percent of homeowners. New shrubs and perennial plants also rank high on the list, appearing in nearly one-third of projects. More than three-quarters of respondents choose low-maintenance plants, reflecting the fact that only 19 percent are planning to regularly hire a professional landscaper once the project is complete.
The majority of homeowners involved in an outdoor remodeling job are making changes to structures and systems, a respective 74 percent and 77 percent. A new patio or terrace is the most popular structural upgrade, while lighting systems appear in nearly half of outdoor projects. One in five homeowners are opting for smart lighting systems that they can control via Internet-connected devices.
Regardless of whether they’re focused on the front yard or the backyard, homeowners are going big, with 85 percent reporting major renovations or complete overhauls. More than half of all homeowners who are totally overhauling outdoor spaces spend more than $15,000, compared with about one-third of those doing major renovations.
Looking for some outdoor remodeling and landscaping inspiration? Houzz has more than half a million photos on its website that can be filtered by criteria such as yard size, project location, and budget. DIY Network dedicates a section of its website to landscaping and includes photos, videos, and tutorials. And for a look at some dramatic backyard transformations, check out this HGTV article. HGTV also has a similar before-and-after article on curb-appeal makeovers.