Published on July 11th 2026

Most homeowners think of landscaping as decoration — something you do after the real value has already been built into a property. But the data tells a different story. A thoughtfully designed outdoor space isn't just a nice-to-have; it's one of the highest-leverage investments a property owner can make.

The Numbers Behind the Curb Appeal

Industry research consistently points in the same direction. The American Society of Landscape Architects estimates that quality landscaping can raise a home's value by 15 to 20 percent, and appraisal research from the University of Alabama and University of Texas at Arlington found that curb appeal alone can account for 7 percent or more of a home's total value. A Michigan State University study found that homes with high-quality landscaping sold for 5 to 11 percent more than comparable homes with average landscaping.

Realtors see this pattern play out constantly. In a survey of 350 real estate professionals, nearly all agreed that good landscaping raises a home's value by at least 5 percent, and more than half believed the boost could reach 15 percent or higher. The flip side is just as telling: neglected, unappealing landscaping can drag a home's value down by as much as 30 percent. In other words, the cost of doing nothing is often greater than the cost of doing it well.

It's Not Just About Selling

It's tempting to file all of this under "resale value," but that undersells what good design actually does. A well-composed landscape changes how a property feels to live in every single day — before a For Sale sign ever goes up.

Thoughtful grading and hardscape solve drainage headaches. A well-placed shade tree cuts summer cooling costs. A defined outdoor living space — a patio, a fire pit, a shaded dining area — effectively adds square footage to a home without adding square footage to the structure. Buyers and homeowners alike respond to these spaces emotionally, picturing themselves relaxing there, entertaining there, living there. That emotional response is exactly what drives both perceived value and sale price.

Why Design Matters More Than Plants

Not all landscaping delivers equal returns, and this is where design expertise separates a good investment from a wasted one. Research and appraisers alike point to a few consistent principles:

Cohesion over accumulation. A yard with a clear design language — consistent materials, a considered plant palette, a logical flow from street to entry to backyard — reads as intentional. A yard that's simply accumulated plants and features over the years, however lovely each piece is individually, tends to read as cluttered.

Scale and proportion. Landscaping should complement a home's architecture, not compete with it or disappear into it. Foundation plantings sized to the house, pathways proportioned to the approach, and structures scaled to the lot are what make a property look like it was designed rather than decorated.

Sustainable, mature-friendly choices. Landscapes that improve with age — mature trees, established perennial beds, durable hardscape — build value over time rather than requiring constant reinvestment. Buyers and appraisers increasingly favor low-maintenance, drought-tolerant designs that look intentional without demanding constant upkeep.

Functional outdoor rooms. The highest-value additions tend to be ones that expand how a property can be used: a patio that functions as an outdoor living room, a path that makes a side yard usable, lighting that extends the day into evening. These aren't just pretty — they're functional square footage.

This is the core of what separates landscaping from landscape architecture. Anyone can add plants to a yard. Good design considers the whole property as a system — sightlines, circulation, materials, seasonality, and how the space will actually be used — and that systemic thinking is exactly what shows up in the ROI numbers above.

The Takeaway

Aesthetics and value aren't competing priorities in outdoor design — they're the same priority, viewed from two angles. A property that's been thoughtfully designed doesn't just look better in photos or feel better to live in; it's measurably worth more, sells faster, and holds its value longer than one where landscaping was an afterthought.

If you're planning a renovation, a sale, or simply want your property to work harder for you, the return on good design starts well before the first plant goes in the ground — it starts with a plan.