So, you’ve got a house in a neighborhood with an HOA. You love your home, and you even like most of your neighbors, but there’s one thing that’s really getting to you—your lawn. It’s not that you hate mowing the grass or even that you dread the sprinklers’ inevitable betrayal when you’re walking by. It’s that your lawn looks like everyone else’s.
And to be honest, it’s kind of boring. Now, HOAs have their benefits, but they have their downsides, too; one of them is the lack of options that you have for your home. Some HOAs are so strict that you’re not even allowed to install solar panels because they’re deemed “an eyesore,” which is really ridiculous if you think about it. But with that said, you could still play by the rules; granted, it might just be a little bit tough. So, with that all said, here’s exactly what you need to know!
Understanding the Rules Without Losing Your Cool
So, before you do anything wild, like installing a giant fountain or a mini jungle in your front yard, you need to get cozy with your HOA’s rules. The goal is to understand what’s allowed and what’s not so that you can work within those boundaries. Seriously, the last thing you want is to pour your heart (and wallet) into an epic lawn design only to get slapped with a fine or, worse, an order to remove it all. Typically, HOAs will have guidelines about what kind of plants you can use, how high they can be, and even what colors are acceptable.
You can usually trist that landscape design company can help you out with this, especially one from your locality, because there’s a high chance they’ve had past clients that’s in that same HOA that you’re in. Actually, you’re better off not DIYing this, but instead letting a professional do this for you. but not everyone has the money for that (which is understandable).
There’s the Power of Native Plants
HOAs usually allow for native plants to be put on lawns, and if you think about it, this is pretty eco-friendly, too. These are plants that naturally grow in your region, so they’re already adapted to the local climate, meaning less maintenance for you. Plus, many HOAs encourage or even require the use of native plants, so you’re more likely to get the green light. For example, if you’re from New Mexico, it makes no sense to add Kentucky blue grass to your lawn.
Get Creative With Hardscaping
Plants aren’t the only way to add personality to your yard. Sure, they’re one of the best, but it’s not the number one way. Instead, you might want to look into hardscaping—using materials like stone, wood, and concrete. So, you might want to think of stone pathways, rock gardens, or even a tasteful bench surrounded by well-manicured plants. But again, these need to be done in such a way that HOA will approve.
Adding Personality With Color and Form
Finally, don’t be afraid to play with color and form. Sure, you might not be able to be as creative as you might want to be, which is understandable, but there are still some options out there for you to look into. Sure, there are some HOAs that might have rules about the kinds of flowers you can plant or the colors you can use, but there’s usually still plenty of room to get creative. For example, you might be able to go for subtle pops of color that comply with HOA guidelines but still draw the eye.
