Whether you're staying in your home awhile or are about to put it on the market and want it to stand out positively from other Lafayette homes for sale, improving your landscaping can have an important impact on your curb appeal. You might think of spring as the time to make changes, but late summer also works well, especially for new plantings that can grow before having to endure the heat of an entire summer.

Our real estate agents share the following late summer landscaping ideas you'll want to try before the season is over:

• Spruce up your beds and borders
  Boxwoods can help add structure to your yard's appearance, and they make great additions to beds and borders in front of your home as well around trees and near pathways. Add in some annuals and other plants that bring some late summer color, and you'll have the makings of an eye-catching yard.
  
  
• Use mulch in your garden beds
  If you haven't put down mulch in your garden beds or need to replace some old mulch, late summer is a great time to do it. You'll help keep weeds from growing and give your garden beds a finished look. Consider different colors, such as a darker brown or black, to make elements like your flowers and walkways stand out.
  
  
• Add planters to your entryway
  Adding some attractive planters filled with colorful plants creates a welcoming appearance and helps spruce up this all-important area. Choose your plants by keeping in mind how much sun and shade they'll get throughout the day so they'll continue to flourish.
  
  
• Replace your mailbox if needed and improve its surroundings
  If your mailbox has seen better days, replace it with a nice new one. And dress up its surrounding area with evergreens, perennials, and annuals to add some visual interest and give it a polished look. Since your mailbox probably isn't close to a faucet, it's usually best to choose plants that don't require a lot of water to thrive.
  
  
• Paint your front door
  For a minimal investment of time, money, and effort, repainting your front door can greatly enhance your home's exterior. Experts generally agree that when it comes time to sell your home, colors like black, slate blue, navy blue, and forest green tend to be popular with most prospective buyers, while pale pink, cement gray, red, and teal turn off most buyers. While you may find a bright door color appealing, it's usually best to keep it toned down.
  
  
• Upgrade your house numbers
  Choose a new set of house numbers to complement your freshly painted door. To make sure they're easily visible from the street - which is especially important if you're selling your home - choose ones that are six inches or larger, particularly if your house is a good distance from the street.
  
  
• Add lighting
  Add lighting to make traversing walkways safer at night and improve your home's nighttime curb appeal. You'll have plenty of options to choose from to give the area a warm glow, including in-ground pathway lighting or small lanterns.
  
  
• Keep your lawn mowed and edged
  Mow your lawn regularly, but don't cut it too short. Generally, you should only cut one-third of the grass blade each time you mow to keep it growing and looking its best. Also, make sure to edge around your driveway, walkways, and curbs to give your lawn a neat appearance.

Contact us if you're interested in buying or selling a home in Lafayette. We'll show you Lafayette open houses and make appointments to see homes that meet your criteria and are a great fit for your goals and lifestyle.