5 Backyard Features That a Landscape Designer Says Are Devaluing Your Property — And What to Do Instead

Outdoor living spaces are essentially an extension of the home, it's a space that provides peace as you get closer with nature and al-fresco dining during moments of entertainment. But when you're looking to spruce up your backyard, it's important to know what may affect your home's resale prospects.

The backyard ideas you've come up with for your outdoor space may follow the latest trends, but that might not be the best thing for your property. 'It is helpful for homeowners to consider how long they plan to live in their home when planning their landscaping,' avid McCary, landscaper and owner of Seattle Sustainable Landscapes tells us. 'Different landscaping elements will lose their value at different rates over time or get harder to remove over time. So when considering the value of the home long term various features will be impacted by the timeline of ownership'.

So, what backyard features can devalue your home? We're here to answer all your questions. Here's everything you need to know — according to a landscaper.

1. Artificial turf

Though you might be tempted by the near-zero lawn care, it's best to stay far away from synthetic turf, according to professional landscaper and owner of Seattle Sustainable Landscapes, David McCary.

'The most egregious is synthetic turf, do not go with the cheapest bid. I've seen way too many installs with weeds growing in the turf, with the turf folding in on itself and poorly installed turf that is very unattractive. It is also expensive to remove and very expensive to reinstall correctly'.

If you want lower maintenance, instead of artificial grass, why not opt for unique grass alternative such as meadow flowers or a Corsican mint lawn. Even hard landscaping is preferable for your home's value.

2. Water features

A lot of people may add water features as an easy way to turn a patio into a calm oasis, but David tells us this might actually devalue your home. Your water fountain may just turn into a means of stress, rather than a means of relaxation, it seems.

That's because it's another thing to worry about looking after, when you really want as low maintenance garden as possible. He says it can also easily fail and be on the pricey side when it comes down to repairs. 'The future homeowner may not want this element. It is quite common for us to review a property with a homeowner and have them point out a water feature that no longer works,' David explains.

David McCary

Seattle Sustainable Landscapes is a full-service landscaping company dedicated to bringing sustainable practices to the landscaping industry. Owned and Operated by David & Nicolette McCary.

3. The wrong decking materials

For a backyard that looks expensive, and doesn't detract from your home's value, then investing in the right decking materials and a good installer is essential.

'Decking is another one of those elements that is easy to do a poor job on,' says David. The landscaping expert 'strongly recommends against the lowest bidder for a deck'. He says natural wood decking is not ideal for low maintenance yards as it can take a lot of time and upkeep.

Instead he notes, 'composite options are expensive but much more long-lasting'. Like this Trex Enhance Basics Composite Deck Board from Lowe's — priced at $16 for 1 pack.

4. Concrete

Although some may argue that this hardscaping material might boost your home's curb appeal and market value, if it's not been done correctly — your backyard may be at risk of cracks and looking a bit rough on the edges.

'Poured concrete is very difficult to repair so if it cracks or crumbles it can be quite expensive to repair or replace,' David shares. Cracks and crumbling can reduce the visual attraction of your home and can actually lead to more damage if it is not taken care of properly.

5. Trees in the wrong place

Whether you're planting trees for privacy or adding trees for a fence line, there may be certain rules and regulations in place you need to be aware of if you don't want to cause problems for future owners — according to David.

'Trees are lovely and I highly recommend adding them to a landscape,' he says. 'For many, they will make the property more valuable, but depending on your city regulations it can be difficult to have them removed if the future homeowner wants to do something different with the space'.

David says depending on the circumstance it can add a positive value to the home, but explains that 'some buyers may see it as a negative depending on their goals for the space'.

What backyard features will improve my property value?

I asked the landscaping expert to highlight a few things that may add value into a modern home. David highlights 4 things and these are:

Irrigation - The expert says 'having an automatic smart irrigation system is a huge convenience, but it is also the difference from the plants just getting by and having a thriving and lush landscape'.

Leveling and retaining walls - Terrace garden ideas seem to be the best way to elevate your urban space. David says: 'Usability of a space is very important and slopes can often make a landscape less usable. By terracing an area and adding retaining walls it increases the usability of the space which is a huge benefit'.

Native/Naturalized Plantings - 'Adding a garden that is native to the area is always a good idea, they thrive are more pest-resistant and drought-tolerant for that area,' David explains. 'There are also naturalized plants that will do well in your area and even if they are not native, they are not invasive and instead are eco-friendly'.

Outdoor Lighting - There are many tricks for modern garden lighting you can use to illuminate your yard. 'Outdoor lighting package makes a huge difference to the aesthetic of a landscape and also increases safety as people are less likely to vandalize a property if they are in lighting,' David adds.