Elaborate lawns and high-maintenance outdoor furniture enjoyed their day in the sun. The times have changed, and this change is visible in many houses across the US. More homeowners are adopting minimalist curb ideas for various reasons, predominantly a desire for simplicity and an easier day-to-day life.
Ocean City has always enjoyed a vibrant reputation, living up to its image of a holiday-friendly, beachy city. The houses are expensive, actually, some of the priciest in the US. Many people gravitate toward the fun things the city has to offer, from outdoor ones like jet skiing to quiet, historical excursions. Maintaining an intricate curb for your house can be simply too demanding.
Besides lower effort involved, what else is driving Americans toward simpler curb designs for their homes? Does it make sense for your preferred aesthetic and lifestyle? Here are a few reasons you should consider minimalist curb ideas.
Many homeowners admire their landscaping and take their morning cup of coffee out into the lawn. Indeed, elaborate lawns have a distinct Victorian exuberance that is hard to overlook. However, things look very different when the months pass and fall comes rolling in.
Maintaining landscaping can be challenging in the latter half of the year, when constant leaf shedding and, eventually, snow, dampen your spirits. Flowers hardly appear, but the barrenness is everywhere. All the associated upkeep can take a toll on households that don’t seek professional help.
It gets worse if you plan to (or need to) sell your house when your curb isn’t looking its best. Potential buyers are unlikely to be pleased with the natural litter: dried leaves, twigs, seed pods… They might also worry about keeping up with these tasks if they become future homeowners. Subsequently, you might end up discouraging prospects.
Landscaping becomes more evergreen when it is kept to a minimum and uses strategic choices. For example, petunias don’t shed much, making them good picks for keeping your garden tidy. Country Living has some excellent recommendations on evergreen shrubs, like azalea and inkberry. Hardscaping is also a good choice for all-year-round curb appeal.
Another bonus drawing US homeowners to minimalist curbs and yards is the lower probability of pest infestation and weed growth. Ick-inducing as they may be when considered in the same thought as lawns, pests, and weeds are an undeniable reality. A garden’s risk of suffering from these challenges depends directly on how hard it is to maintain.
For example, aphids and snails often appear in gardens. Besides damaging your plants, they can also spread diseases. A few years ago, an insect called Crape Myrtle Bark Scale appeared in South Carolina. The invasive species causes visual damage to trees in the form of discoloration. If left untreated, this infestation can kill the trees.
Sometimes, such infestations could lurk in hidden crevices in your curb or unsuspecting places, like an old tree stump. Expert local arborists now recommend stump grinding in Simpsonville, SC, and other neighboring areas to limit the possibility of pests and diseases.
Swamp Rabbit Tree Co notes that maintenance activities, such as stump grinding, can also improve the overall curb appeal by preventing it from looking unkempt. It also eliminates a tripping hazard, which is a perpetual worry for parents with small children.
Finally, let’s not overlook the underlying sentiment that rules many aesthetic decisions pertaining to real estate. Modernity. And a perception that minimalism is synonymous with it.
Truth be told, it holds true across many sectors, from fashion to art. The minimalist revolution dictated thousands of smartphone wallpapers and home interior designs. Phone screens and walls with overdone colors and choc-a-bloc patterns have slunk away, reemerging as alternatives only sparingly.
Many people who joined the bandwagon back when it first started now find it difficult to shake off. After all, there can be comfort and reassurance in finding joy in simple, minimal styles.
Psychology Today agrees: People in modern spaces increasingly prefer a minimal aesthetic in architecture, home decor, and other related areas. In fact, the broad themes that emerge in many urban settings are utilitarian, functional, and reductive.
In curb design, this aesthetic has led to clean lines and excellent utilization of space. Geometric shapes are a core element, with many people focusing on basic concepts, such as a rectangular assortment of planters. Cleanliness is another overarching theme, with an emphasis on neat layouts, without too many items on display.
Given the clear benefits of minimalism in curb upkeep, it seems probable that more homes will embrace the trend in the near future. With cultural and economic battles to wage every day, and a hundred tasks on to-do lists, it makes perfect sense to keep some things simple.
It works out even better when these simple choices also benefit us in the long run, keeping us healthier from the inside out.
