Landscaping Upgrades That Make the Biggest Impact
KIMBERLY QUEVEDO
The first impression of your home is often set by the health and style of your yard. With the right landscaping upgrades, you can improve everyday life while boosting long-term appeal. Thoughtful design, better flow and intentional details can enhance the outdoor space to feel welcoming –and memorable.
Refresh the Basics
Some of the most effective landscaping upgrades start with simple refinements. Clean lines, clear edges and intentional shapes create a professional, polished look with ease. Edge walkways and paths to help separate the lawn, flowerbeds and hard surfaces while naturally guiding movement through the space. Replace faded mulch with a rich brown or black organic option to add contrast and depth.
Together, these small changes improve visual flow and texture. Your yard will feel crisp, intentional and cared for – an understated signal of quality that buyers and guests notice immediately.
Add Style and Character
Once the foundation is in place, landscaping upgrades can begin to add personality and visual depth, helping outdoor areas clearly communicate how they are meant to be enjoyed. Layer plants by height and texture to create a layered dimension effect. Taller plantings anchor the back of beds, mid-sized flowering perennials add color and movement and lowgrowing ground covers soften the edges.
To take the experience further, create a wellness or relaxation nook. A small water feature, fragrant herbs like lavender or rosemary, and comfortable seating can transform unused space into a daily retreat. And you can extend livability through the whole yard with strategically placed benches, solar lights dotting walkways or textured walls. Carefully chosen yearround plants (like evergreen shrubs and ornamental grasses) elevate your everyday living while boosting the home’s perceived value.
Prioritize Low-Maintenance Landscaping Upgrades
While style and character set the tone, the most successful landscaping upgrades balance beauty with
practicality. Reduce lawn-heavy areas to significantly lower maintenance while elevating design. Side yards, narrow strips and awkward corners can be reimagined with permeable pavers, decomposed granite paths or intentional planting beds. These will feel purposeful rather than overlooked.
To add structure and long-term impact, plant a semi-mature statement tree – such as a Japanese maple or flowering dogwood. They introduce privacy, shade and architectural interest without requiring constant upkeep. For a modern, functional twist, foodscaping blends edible plants like blueberry bushes or dwarf fruit trees into ornamental beds, offering beauty and utility in equal measure.
Well-designed landscaping signals care and quality, shaping how the entire home is perceived. The most impactful landscaping upgrades create outdoor spaces that feel livable, intentional and easy to maintain – while quietly supporting long-term appreciation.
The Best Indoor Plants for Your Home
KIMBERLY QUEVEDO
Indoor plants add elements of charm and personality to a home. When you match greenery to each room’s light and humidity, plants thrive naturally and require less effort. Let’s explore the best indoor plants for every space and how they can transform your living areas.
Entryway Indoor Plants Set the Tone
First impressions matter, and entryways set the tone for the entire home. These areas can be challenging for plants due to low light and drafts, so hardy greenery is ideal. The Cast Iron plant thrives in dim corners and narrow hallways. Its upright shape fits small spaces without blocking pathways and requires very little care. Snake plants are another reliable option. They tolerate average indoor light and bring structure to smaller entryways, making the space feel polished and inviting. Both plants add lush greenery with minimal maintenance, instantly enhancing the foyer.
Living Room Greenery Ground the Space
Living rooms benefit from plants that stand out without overwhelming furniture. Parlor Palms add height and scale to larger rooms. Their feathery fronds soften sharp edges and bring a natural flow to corners or high-ceilinged spaces. Areca palms add movement and texture, balancing clean-lined furniture and darker finishes. For smaller areas or
shelves, Spider Plants are ideal. Its long, arching leaves bring life and motion, giving a curated, professional look with minimal effort. Together, these plants create a vibrant yet harmonious living area.
Dining Room Plants Elevate the Mood
Dining rooms need greenery that complements the space without interfering with meals. Money Trees, with their braided trunks and leafy canopies, make a striking statement in corners or on sideboards. A Monstera plant brings sculptural interest with large, relaxed leaves that pair beautifully with wood tables and layered lighting. Peace Lilies add quiet elegance. Placed on a console, they brighten the room without clutter and are simple to maintain. These plants enhance ambiance while remaining functional for everyday living and entertaining.
Kitchen Spruce That Brings Fresh Energy
Kitchens are active spaces with temperature changes, moisture and daily movement. Adaptable, low-maintenance plants work best. The Chinese Money Plant (Pilea) thrives on windowsills or floating shelves. Its coin-shaped leaves and rapid growth make it a fun, interactive addition. You can even propagate baby plants to start new pots or share with friends, creating a playful and living décor element in your kitchen.
Bathroom Greenery Adds Tropical Flair
Bathrooms naturally provide the moisture many plants crave. Bird’s Nest Ferns flourish in steam-filled spaces. Their bright, wavy leaves look beautiful on a vanity or tub edge, turning a simple bathroom into a relaxing, green retreat. Boston Ferns are another excellent choice. Their full fronds soften tile, glass and stone surfaces, adding lush texture and a sense of calm.
Bedroom Plants Support Restful Spaces
Bedrooms call for soothing, understated greenery. Calatheas, or Prayer Plants, make excellent bedside companions. Their leaves fold at night and open in the morning, creating a subtle, living rhythm. With filtered water and light care, they add life to a nightstand while keeping the space serene. Chinese Evergreens are a quieter alternative, offering patterned leaves and slow growth that bring texture without demanding attention.
A well-placed plant is the finishing touch that transforms a house into a curated home. When greenery aligns with each room’s light, humidity and purpose, it thrives naturally and enhances how a home feels and functions. Start with one carefully chosen plant, and you’ll see how simple greenery can make every space inviting and alive.
NOTES
Sweet, creamy, and extra crackly. Crème brûlée infused with warming, citrusy earl grey tea and sweet vanilla bean for a deliciously cozy twist on the classic French dessert.
Easy Vanilla Earl Grey Crème Brûlée
INGREDIENTS
• 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3-4 bags earl grey tea
INSTRUCTIONS
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 5 large egg yolks
• 1/3 cup plus 4 tablespoon granulated sugar
1. Bring the cream and salt to a low boil in a small saucepan until steaming. Remove from the heat. Add the tea bags, cover, and steep for 10-15 minutes. Remove the tea bags, gently squeezing the bags to release a bit more tea into the cream. Discard the tea bags.
2. Arrange an oven rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325 F. Bring 4-6 cups of water to a boil. Whisk together the egg yolks and 1/3 cup sugar (use 1/2 cup for a sweeter palate) in a medium bowl until combined. Place the steeped cream over medium heat and gently warm until steaming. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. In a slow stream, whisk about 1/2 cup of the cream into the egg yolks, whisking constantly so they don’t scramble. Whisk in the remaining cream.
3. Place the ramekins inside a large lasagna-style baking dish. Divide the batter between 4 (6 ounce) ramekins or 3 (8-ounce). Fill the dish with boiling water halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 30 (smaller ramekins) to 40 minutes (larger ramekins), until centers are barely set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 4 hours and up to a couple of days.
4. When ready to eat, top each with 1-2 teaspoons of sugar. Place the ramekins under the broiler and broil until the sugar melts, browns, and then blackens a little, about 5 minutes.
HOME TRENDS: THE ‘SOFT MODERN’ LOOK THAT IS DOMINATING SPRING LISTINGS
This spring, one design style is standing out across listings: Soft Modern. Blending clean lines with warm, organic touches, this look strikes the perfect balance between contemporary sophistication and everyday comfort. For sellers preparing to list, and buyers browsing the market, Soft Modern feels fresh, livable, and right on trend for 2026.
At its core, Soft Modern builds on a neutral foundation. Think warm whites, creamy beiges, and
soft greiges instead of stark gray or ultra-minimal palettes. These tones reflect natural light beautifully— an important feature during bright spring showings— while creating a calm, welcoming atmosphere. What sets this trend apart is its warmth. Natural wood cabinetry, oak flooring, and woven accents soften sleek architectural lines. Matte black or brushed brass hardware adds subtle contrast without overwhelming a space. The result is a home
that feels polished but not cold.
Texture also plays a starring role. Bouclé chairs, linen drapery, and lightly veined stone countertops introduce depth and dimension. Rather than heavy décor, Soft Modern relies on a few thoughtfully chosen pieces to create visual interest. This keeps rooms feeling open and airy—something buyers consistently respond to.
Lighting is another key element. Sculptural pendants, minimalist sconces, and layered lighting plans enhance functionality while adding style. Clean silhouettes paired with warm bulbs help maintain the cozy, elevated feel.
For sellers, embracing Soft Modern doesn’t require a full renovation. Simple updates—like swapping out dated light fixtures, incorporating neutral textiles, or refinishing wood tones—can dramatically shift the overall aesthetic.
In a competitive spring market, Soft Modern offers broad appeal. It photographs beautifully, feels move-in ready, and allows buyers to envision their own style layered in—making it a smart design choice for homes looking to sell quickly and confidently.
$766,570 1,016 827 23 108
$404,998 $558,042 336 211 635 423
Market Insights
Spokane Countyexperienced a slight decrease in the average sale price, lowering to $427,766 marking a 3.9% decrease compared to February 2025. The median sales price saw a slight decrease of 1.8%, settling at $404,998. The current inventory rose in a big way to 1,016 listings, an notable increase of 23.5% from the previous year. This represents a 3.0-month supply, an increase from February 2025, still indicating a seller's market. Residential closed sales also decreased by 5.1%, totaling 336 transactions. Additionally, the median days on the market increased to 23 days. Annual residential sales is down from year’s level, down 4.5%, totaling 635 sales.
In contrasting fashion, Kootenai Countyshowed increased price performance, with the average sale price raising to $766,570 reflecting a 16.9% increase from the previous year. The median sales price had an decrease of 0.9%, reaching $558,042. Inventory in the area decreased by 12.0% to 827 listings. Residential closed sales saw a decrease of 5.8%, with 211 transactions recorded. The average days on the market increased to 108 days. Annual residential sales in Kootenai County are down 0.7%, totaling 423 transactions so far this year.
As interest rates fluctuate and the market anticipates changes throughout the year, it's crucial to consult with your