How to Make Your Home Look More Expensive with Uplighting

Lighting is one of the most powerful elements in design. It can change the way paint colors look, effect the mood of a space, and even make a space feel larger or smaller. It has just as much impact on the exterior of a home. It’s important not to underestimate the role lighting can play in your curb appeal or backyard. Even simple lighting can enhance the ambiance and transform the space.

There are many ways to light an outdoor space, but one of my favorites is uplighting. This simply means lighting an area or element from below, as opposed to from the side or above. Uplighting creates a stunning effect that adds drama and ambiance. You see it a lot at upscale resorts and establishments because of the luxurious mood it adds to a space.

Take a look at the many ways you can take advantage of uplighting in an outdoor space to make your home instantly look more expensive…

How to Make Your Home Look Expensive with Uplighting | HomeandEventStyling.comUplighting on these house numbers spotlights them in an understated, elegant way.

How to Make Your Home Look Expensive with Uplighting | HomeandEventStyling.comUplighting on the trees creates a stunning glow around this seating area.

How to Make Your Home Look Expensive with Uplighting | HomeandEventStyling.comUplighting is very subtle, so it’s perfect for a minimalist space like this. Here, it was used on the trees and even beneath the seating.

How to Make Your Home Look Expensive with Uplighting | HomeandEventStyling.comAreas of the garden were highlighted by uplighting to draw your eye to the landscaping and bring depth to this space.

How to Make Your Home Look Expensive with Uplighting | HomeandEventStyling.comUplighting on the fountain creates a romantic mood and shows off the beautiful architecture.

How to Make Your Home Look Expensive with Uplighting | HomeandEventStyling.comBring depth to your curb appeal by positioning uplighting under a beautiful tree.

How to Make Your Home Look Expensive with Uplighting | HomeandEventStyling.comLights in the walls are subtle and out of the way while supplying a beautiful glow to this contemporary space. Even the trees have a bit of uplighting to pull it all together.

How to Make Your Home Look Expensive with Uplighting | HomeandEventStyling.comUplighting throughout this space creates dimension. They even switched it up with a bit of red lighting by the deck.

How to Make Your Home Look Expensive with Uplighting | HomeandEventStyling.comIf you have a stone facade or feature, uplighting enhances the look and highlights the great texture.

How to Make Your Home Look Expensive with Uplighting | HomeandEventStyling.comThis curves of this cool seating area are enhanced the subtle lights inviting you into the space.

If your outdoor space, front or back, is lacking some drama or ambiance, consider some areas that could be enhanced with a bit of uplighting. You’ll be surprised by how much of a difference this simple effect can make.

Warm regards,
Megan

Images { 1 – Southern Living / 2 – Janet Rosenberg & Studio / 3 – Achica Living / 4 – HGTV / 5 – HGTV / 6 – Better Homes & Gardens / 7 – Todhunter Earle Interiors / 8 – Design Hunter / 9 – DIY Network / 10 – HGTV }

Hillside Landscaping: Ideas for a Sloped Backyard

Sloped backyards pose an interesting challenge for homeowners that still want to take advantage of their outdoor space. For many slopes, it’s not impossible to still have a fantastic outdoor area for entertaining. You just have to be a little more creative in how you use the area. There are several ways you can do this, depending on your needs, budget and style. Whether you want a space for relaxing, entertaining, eating, playing, or even just a beautiful garden, a sloped backyard can often be just as accommodating (and beautiful) as a flat outdoor space. Here are 10 ideas for hillside landscaping to inspire you.

Hillside Landscaping: Ideas for a Sloped Backyard | HomeandEventStyling.comThis deck feels like a cozy nook, nestled into the side of this hill. It offers plenty of room for a dining table and chairs. Steps lead to the top of the hill and continue to the base for easy access.

Hillside Landscaping: Ideas for a Sloped Backyard | HomeandEventStyling.comThe pool deck extends to the next level of the slope, secured by stilts to give you more area around the pool.

Hillside Landscaping: Ideas for a Sloped Backyard | HomeandEventStyling.comStacked stone blends with a beautiful array of foliage as you follow the steps up this hill. The flowers give you plenty to admire as you make your way to a charming gate. The trellis is a nice touch, bringing character to the landscaping.

Hillside Landscaping: Ideas for a Sloped Backyard | HomeandEventStyling.comLights follow the path up this winding hill, allowing you to enjoy a stroll through it at night, too. Wind chimes and bird feeders are subtle touches to this sloped backyard concentrated on nature.

Hillside Landscaping: Ideas for a Sloped Backyard | HomeandEventStyling.comWood siding along the slope gives this terrace a rustic appeal. Stairs lead to a second level for a relaxing seating area with an amazing view of below.

Hillside Landscaping: Ideas for a Sloped Backyard | HomeandEventStyling.comA stunning fountain takes advantage of the entire slope of this hill, creating an eye-catching focal point. Well-kept hedges provide a polished look around it.

Hillside Landscaping: Ideas for a Sloped Backyard | HomeandEventStyling.comThis hillside was given a contemporary treatment with concrete installations that make the slope look like a piece of art.

Hillside Landscaping: Ideas for a Sloped Backyard | HomeandEventStyling.comFlower boxes, stone, and trees create a lush garden up this slope. A beautiful wooden fence provides plenty of privacy from the street or neighbors.

Hillside Landscaping: Ideas for a Sloped Backyard | HomeandEventStyling.comIf you have kids, you can use the slope as the perfect place for a built-in slide. There are a number of ways you can do this, from matching the material to the rest of the yard to installing a regular plastic slide, depending on your style and budget.

Hillside Landscaping: Ideas for a Sloped Backyard | HomeandEventStyling.comThis hillside backyard looks like beautiful ruins with a breathtaking design of stone and rock mixed with lush greenery and pots.

Instead of looking at a sloped backyard as a downfall to a property, try thinking of it as an opportunity to create a truly unique outdoor space.

Warm regards,
Megans

Images {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}

First Impressions: The Importance of the Front Door

The front door is one of the most important parts of your home’s curb appeal. It is the first impression that guests or buyers will get when they arrive so the front of your home deserves a lot of attention. Start by making sure everything is clean and clutter-free, trim the hedges, remove any weeds and pressure wash if necessary. If you have weathered wooden doors, you can probably refinish them yourself with this step-by-step tutorial.  The next step is to add some beauty to appeal to the eye in the form of foliage, decor and maybe even a little paint. I have gathered some examples of beautiful front doors and accompanied them with some tips that you can apply to your own front door.

Landscaping plays a huge part in beautiful curb appeal. This home certainly took advantage of that with all the incredible foliage and shrubbery surrounding the otherwise humble entrance.

To make your home stand out, consider painting the front door an inviting color like this beautiful turquoise door. It will make your home memorable.

The lack of a garden is well made up for with the beautiful pink flowers that extend the length of the door and a little beyond. Such a beautiful way to frame the entrance.

If you have a front porch or patio, place a couple of chairs and table to show off the space and give it a sense of home.

Creating an inviting entry space can be as easy as placing some pretty potted plants and a cozy bench by the front door.

Landscape lighting can make a world of difference in your curb appeal. Leave the lights on for a while in the evening in case buyers decide to drive by.

A red front door can always be counted on to catch someone’s eye and make a great first impression. If a red door will fit with the color scheme of your home, it’s a good idea to consider painting it while it’s on the market.

If you have intricate detailing on your front door such as these forged iron doors, it’s best to keep any foliage simple and let the doors speak for themselves.

If you have a small space by the front door, let the landscaping be your foliage and add a welcome mat and some lanterns to add interest to the front door.

As you can see, creating a beautiful front door space is very easy. There are lots of cost-effective ways to spruce it up so your home makes a great first impression from the moment someone drives up. If you are trying to sell your home, these tips are especially important to implement.*

Warm regards,
Megan

* To learn more about staging your home for sale in a competitive market, check out my book Stageology: How to Stage to Sell at all major booksellers. See the trailer below:

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