When picturing our dream homes, we often leave the yard out of the picture. But as most homeowners know, your yard is an important part of your overall home aesthetic, and without a yard you can be proud of, your home may not feel complete. There are a few ways you can transform your yard, like adding flowers or bushes or a stone or rock path. But sometimes, the best thing you can do is create a clean slate and get rid of the landscaping you currently have.
HGTV’s Ben and Erin Napier, who have an arsenal of must-know home tips, worked on a home that had a lot to be desired when it came to the yard. While the house had a ton of greenery, it was all overgrown and made the home feel messy, taking away from the beauty of the actual home. Erin was quick to lend the advice that often, when it comes to your yard, less is more.
How to take the less-is-more advice for your yard
Greenery is a beautiful thing, and while many of us look for a home that is surrounded by gorgeous trees, towering bushes, and wooded vistas, sometimes it just doesn’t quite work. Erin and Ben Napier are no strangers to a yard renovation, but when it comes to landscaping, the Napiers hold true to a clean aesthetic. After clearing out all the overgrown landscaping during the home renovation, Erin advised the homeowners to start small when it came to plants. “You can finally see the house, and that is nice,” Erin said after the landscaping was finished. “We’re starting fresh, with just the good stuff, and now we can begin to plant more.”
So while it may be hard to cut down all the greenery outside your home, it can be the start of a gorgeous yard. If you do want to take the Napiers’ advice, make sure you are clearing your greenery safely. If you have large trees or bushes, consult an expert before cutting them down. The same is true for any invasive plants or weeds you may not be too sure about. You will also need a way to dispose of the unwanted landscaping, like a dump trailer.
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Pros of having less greenery in your yard
Not only does a minimal yard showcase your home and make everything feel cleaner, but it can also lead to a variety of other positive things. Overgrown trees can lead to falling branches, which can damage your roof or break windows during a storm. They also have the potential to fall and hurt those walking or playing under them and can lead to a fire if not maintained properly.
In addition to the dangers during natural disasters that overgrown landscaping can pose, it is also a breeding ground for unwanted pests, like bugs and rodents. If you are sad about cutting down greenery, consider that getting rid of weeds and overgrown plants can actually allow your yard to grow more, healthier greenery. Plus, at the end of the day, you are the one who has to maintain a yard, and the more greenery, the more work you have in front of you. If you want to spend less weekend time mowing the lawn and more time relaxing, a clean, minimal yard is the way to go.
