7 Landscaping Habits That Make the House Look Older
Your house might be in great shape, but the yard can age it fast. Some of these habits are so common we don’t even think twice—but they drag down curb appeal and make the whole place feel dated.
Letting Shrubs Take Over
When the bushes start covering windows or creeping past the porch, it makes everything feel overgrown.
It doesn’t mean you need to rip them out, but trimming them back can make your whole house feel refreshed. Don’t let the plants boss the house around.
Hanging on to Old Edging
Those scalloped plastic borders or faded concrete curbs were popular once, but now they just scream “it’s been a while.”
Swap them for clean stone, steel, or a natural edge. It’s one of those small changes that makes a big difference.
Overdoing Symmetry
Perfectly matched plants on either side of the walkway used to be the go-to. These days, it can look stiff and dated unless it’s done really well.
Loosening things up with some staggered heights or mixing plant textures gives the space a fresher, more natural look.
Keeping Dated Plants
Things like red tips, nandinas, or Bradford pears might’ve been everywhere back in the day, but now they feel tired.
They also come with problems—disease, breakage, mess. Swapping them out for something cleaner and easier to maintain makes the yard feel current again.
Skipping Mulch
Bare dirt or old faded mulch can make even healthy plants look sad. Mulch helps everything look tidier and more put together.
It’s not about fancy colors. Even basic wood chips can pull the whole space together if it’s fresh and clean.
Letting Trees Hang Too Low
Big limbs covering your house can make it feel small, dark, or even kind of spooky.
Trimming trees to open up the roofline makes the place feel taller and more inviting. You don’t have to cut them down—just lift them up a little.
Ignoring Cracks and Weeds
Cracks in the walkway, weeds in the driveway—none of it’s a huge deal on its own, but it adds up.
People notice the little things. Cleaning up the front path or power washing the sidewalk can go a long way toward making things feel maintained.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
