Curb Appeal Advice

Create a bold statement in a front yard by accenting plantings with garden rocks or boulders.

It's the first thing people see when they drive up to your home. But often it's the most neglected. Home decorators call it "curb appeal."

Outdoor decorating may be one of the best ways to improve the value of your home while maintaining a firm grip on your wallet.

Here are some tips from the experts:

Lighting:

"You can really make your yard look nice with low voltage lighting," says Pat Simpson, host of HGTV's Before and After and Fix It Up how-to series.

With lights ranging from $6 to $45, Simpson suggests lighting walkways or planting the lights directly beneath a tree and shining them upward. "Uplighting" accents the tree's height and is one of Simpson' s favorite techniques.

Solar-panel lights are also a good option for homeowners who don't want to hassle with electric cords. The sun restores the batteries during the day and at night the lamps are activated automatically. They last about 100,000 hours and require no cords.

Solar panel lights can be found nearly anywhere now--from the web to Home Depot. They cost about $15 to $39.

Landscaping:

Who says landscaping is just for flowers? Spruce up the outside of your home with decorative grasses or Japanese maples. Then accent them with garden rocks or boulders, says Brad Staggs, a Do It Yourself Network host. "That really creates a nice bold statement in a front yard."

Start by visiting a tree nursery or garden center and ask the experts what kind of greenery would be most appropriate for your climate.

Rocks, from pebbles to boulder-size, can be found at any Home Depot or garden store. Stones usually are bought by the ton or the pallet and can cost up to $400. Stones also can be used to define the perimeter of gardens. Stack river rock about four inches to one foot high to create a centerpiece in your yard.

Using pre-manufactured borders is also an option. Fountains can be added to the center of a yard garden for a strong focal point. What that does is define that (flower) bed from the street or driveway and sets it off," says Pat Simpson.

Having a focal point in your yard adds to the viewer appeal, Simpson says. Berms also are a good option for gardeners who don't mind getting their hands dirty. All it takes is a shovel and some soil.

Berms are raised mounds of dirt that create a bed. They are typically a foot or so higher than the grass. Plant shrubs, hollies or trees on them. "Rather than being a flat flower bed, it's almost a monument in the yard," says Simpson. Berms also are useful in climates where it rains a lot. The raised bed helps to route water the correct way instead of drowning out other plants or settling to create puddles.

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners intent on improving their lawn is taking on too much at one time. Whether it's time or money, make sure your project is within your means.

"I see more frustration and failure (caused by homeowners) trying to tackle more than they have the time or budget to do," says Paul James, writer and host of Gardening by the Yard. "Start small," he advises. For instance, plant shrubs or flowers one month. The next, decide whether to repaint shutters or pressure clean the outside of your home.

Developing a plan may be helpful as well. Plan out each month's activities, both how much they will cost and the amount of time they will take to complete.

Why not try several new looks? At least in a virtual sense. Take a picture of your home with a digital camera and scan it in to a computer. Then buy home design software ($50 would be reasonable) and go to town exploring your options. Blue shutters? A garden island? Fountains? In the digital world the sky's the limit.

For more information on making your home attractive on the outside, see Adding Curb Appeal.