This One Yard Detail Could Increase Your Home Value (And It's Not Your Garden)

Whether you're looking for ways to improve your equity, upscale your living space, or prepare to sell your property, there are several details you can add to your yard to increase your home's value. Some options seem fairly obvious, such as improving your landscape by adding shrubs or a flower garden in the front yard. There are even some front yard layouts that can instantly boost your curb appeal. But gardening and landscaping aren't the only ways to increase your home value. 

You may be surprised to learn that you can add value to your home by simply adding movable, temporary features in your yard, and it all starts on your front porch. One affordable, and stunningly simple feature in particular, has proven to boost curb appeal and increase home value, and it's not your garden — it's your seating area. By adding front yard seating to your home, you can instantly make it a more desirable place for prospective buyers with families or social interests.

Front yard seating is a simple, affordable, and low-maintenance way to create an eye-catching front yard, as well as being a popular porch trend you won't be able to avoid in 2025. You may be wondering how something so simple and temporary could add any notable value to your home. The simple answer is, people want a desirable front porch. In 2024, the National Association of Home Builders surveyed potential home buyers and discovered that the front porch is among the top features buyers look for in a home. 

A quality porch or patio can offer a 95% return on investment for homeowners, and front yard seating is one of the number one ways to accentuate the value by emphasizing it as an area to relax or entertain. Overall, you can expect to see an increase in value of 5% to 15% when you combine front yard seating with front yard lawn maintenance. The National Association of Realtors found that this increase is due to the fact that 48% of potential homeowners define outdoor seating areas like a patio or porch to be the most desirable aspect of a home.

Making a functional front lawn with selective seating that improves your equity or attracts buyers, is not only becoming increasingly popular, but it is also possible for both large and small spaces. In general, you will want to avoid adding large seating arrangements, like patio sets, in the front yard, even if you have a big enough space. Patio sets are ideal for dining arrangements and private social parties in the backyard. Instead, the front yard should focus on creating a family setting where parents can sit to watch their kids play or a social setting where homeowners can casually converse with their neighbors or enjoy their morning coffee. As such, there are a few common designs that are perfect for creating a social space without creating clutter.

First, you could consider small bistro-style seating, which is ideal for small spaces. The tiny table is perfect for creating a social environment catered to small two or three-person groups to enjoy refreshments. Alternatively, you could add a bench or porch swing for a more relaxed vibe. Or, you could keep it simple with Adirondack chairs. The idea is to provide enough seating to make the area an attractive space for small groups to enjoy at their leisure.