Boost Your Curb Appeal This Summer with These Simple Landscaping Updates

Summer is the perfect time to refresh your outdoor space—and there's no better place to start than with your home’s curb appeal. Whether you're looking to impress guests, attract buyers, or simply take pride in your property, a few strategic landscaping updates can make a big impact without a major renovation.

At Skyline Exteriors Landscaping, we believe great curb appeal doesn't have to break the bank or take all summer to achieve. Here are some simple yet effective updates you can make this season to elevate the look of your front yard.

1. Add a Fresh Layer of Mulch

Nothing gives a landscape an instant facelift like fresh mulch. It enhances color contrast around flower beds, trees, and walkways while also helping your plants retain moisture and suppress weeds—especially useful during hot Western Chicago summers. Go for a dark brown or black mulch for a rich, clean look, or opt for natural wood tones for a more rustic aesthetic.

2. Define Your Borders

Clean edges make your yard look polished and intentional. Use edging stones, metal landscape borders, or even a crisp spade-cut edge between your lawn and garden beds. Not only does this create visual structure, but it also helps prevent grass from creeping into flower beds.

3. Upgrade Your Entryway

Your front door area sets the tone for the entire home. Flank the entry with large potted plants or decorative containers filled with seasonal blooms like petunias, salvia, or coleus. Consider updating your welcome mat, painting your door a bold summer color, or adding a small bench or outdoor lanterns to increase charm and personality.

4. Refresh or Replace Overgrown Plants

Summer is a great time to reassess what’s working in your front yard—and what’s not. Trim overgrown shrubs that block windows or walkways. If a plant has seen better days, replace it with heat-tolerant perennials like black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, or daylilies. These plants thrive in Illinois summers and add long-lasting color.

5. Enhance Your Lawn’s Appearance

A healthy green lawn is the foundation of good curb appeal. Mow regularly (but don’t cut too short), water deeply a couple of times per week, and consider a slow-release fertilizer to maintain its vigor. For patchy areas, reseed and apply compost to encourage new growth. If you're ready to upgrade further, consider lawn edging or a border of low-growing ground cover plants.

6. Install Landscape Lighting

Simple solar-powered or low-voltage lighting can make a dramatic difference, especially in the evening. Illuminate pathways, highlight garden beds, or place uplights under trees and around the entryway. It not only adds beauty but also improves safety and security around your property.

7. Power Wash and Clean Up

Not every update needs to involve planting. Power wash your walkway, driveway, siding, or porch to instantly brighten up your exterior. Clean out gutters, remove any yard clutter, and touch up peeling paint or worn trim. These little maintenance tasks go a long way in making your landscape look clean and well-cared for.

8. Plant with Symmetry in Mind

If you’re not sure where to begin, symmetry is a safe and stylish bet. Plant matching shrubs on either side of your front steps or install identical flower pots at the ends of your porch. Symmetry creates visual balance and a more professionally landscaped feel, even if your space is small.

Let Skyline Help You Make a Strong First Impression

A beautiful front yard doesn’t require a full overhaul. With the right updates, you can enjoy a stunning summer landscape that adds value and pride to your home. At Skyline Exteriors Landscaping, we specialize in curb appeal transformations—from simple seasonal cleanups to full-scale design makeovers.

Need help with a summer refresh? Contact us today and let’s make your home the standout of the block.