9 Garden Features That Will Increase the Value of Your Home, From Pergolas to Brick Pavers

Solar Powered Lighting

Lighting can instantly add a heightened level of sophistication to your outdoor space, but electric wiring is often labor-intensive and expensive. Should something go awry, it can also be costly and difficult to fix. As an alternative, consider solar-powered lighting. "Solar power lighting has grown in popularity, so you can find a wide variety of styles," says Danielle Nash, project director and designer at Freemodel. "For a more minimalistic look, you can find solar lighting that is smaller in size and can easily be placed out of sight while still serving purpose."

Bring solar lighting to your walking paths (they should be out of the way of foot traffic) or place fixtures around your yard to strategically show off garden features. Make sure to routinely clean the surface of your solar lights to ensure they capture enough sunlight during the day.

Front Entry Courtyard

An enclosed courtyard at your front entry creates an extension of your interior living space while offering an inviting, intimate outdoor reprieve. It sounds intimidating, but it's possible to pull it off with little trouble. "You can create a private courtyard to your entry by making a little fenced-in area with pea gravel and plantings," says Amy Hovis, principal of Eden Garden Design, an Austin-based landscape design company. "Within the enclosure, a simple steel arbor creates an outdoor room."

Beautiful Planters

Whether your exterior space has a limited amount of space to work with or you're seeking a simple way to add color and vibrancy, planters filled with native plants are an easy go-to. "Apart from bringing color to your yard, these flowering plants will also give local bees and other insects food in the form of nectar and pollen, which grass doesn't do," says Anton Ledin, an in-house plant expert with Planta.

A Statement Tree

Along with flower beds and potted plants, incorporate one or two larger feature plants into your yard if space allows. Sticking to just one or two larger plants naturally spotlights each—plus it doesn't create a burden of maintenance.

"Sometimes, one single tree or big plant can be enough to make a big difference in an otherwise rather blank space," says Ledin. Some options include Japanese maples with their golden, variegated, or red leaves, flowering trees such as magnolias or dogwoods, and trees that put on a spectacle of color in the fall such as oaks, aspens, sassafras, and hawthorns.

A Wood Deck

Building a deck is another way to add to the square footage of your home. It doesn't have to be a grand space or huge project, either. "A small deck with a trellis—that will soon be covered with vines—offers a comfortable space to coexist with the natural world," says Hovis. Once your deck is built, decorate it with native plants that require minimal maintenance and attract birds, bees, and butterflies.

Mulch

Laying mulch gives your garden a tidy look. Best of all, this DIY project is easy to pull off and can help minimize yard upkeep. "First, it helps to lock in moisture while also blocking out the sunlight. This helps keep weeds from coming to the surface," says Nash. "Second, it creates a clean and cohesive look, making the overall landscaping look uniform. This will appeal to potential buyers because it is a low-maintenance alternative to grass."

You can lay mulch in key areas, like within garden beds, around pathways, and against fences. Mulch should remain somewhat moist and can attract bugs and termites in arid climates where it tends to dry out. It is best utilized in areas that receive consistent precipitation.

A Pergola

A pergola extends your living space, effectively creating an outdoor room in your backyard. "It offers a degree of shade with the option for more coverage, extending the amount of time you can spend outdoors through the hottest months of the year," says Amanda Pendleton, home trends expert for Zillow.

Turf

Rising water costs and water restrictions have incentivized many homeowners to consider drought-resistant landscaping options, like turf, says Pendleton. Although it's expensive to install, artificial is a low-maintenance alternative to sod.

Brick Pavers

Brick is a classic and durable paving option that's well-suited to the patio or walkway. "It’s an elegant look without the price tag that comes with pricier stone options," says Pendleton. "It can be installed in different patterns, and brick now comes in a variety of colors."