Which Landscape Features Add the Most Value in Nashville?
Outdoor improvements are some of the most reliable ways to increase the value of your home—especially in a growing market like Nashville. But financial ROI is only half the story. The right landscape upgrades also enhance comfort, expand your livable space, and elevate how your home feels day to day.
This guide combines national research with real trends we see across Middle Tennessee to help you understand which outdoor features return the most value—and which bring the most joy.
HIGH-IMPACT ESSENTIALS
Features that boost resale and daily use, delivering broad value in almost any yard.
PATIO
A patio extends your living space and adds functional outdoor square footage—often with features like fire pits or pergolas.
Joy Index: 9.9 | ROI: 100%
OUTDOOR KITCHEN
Turns your backyard into a true gathering hub—perfect for hosting, holidays, and everyday meals.
Joy Index: 9.8 | ROI: 100%
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE
Seasonal cleanup, fresh mulch, and regular pruning are low-cost, high-impact ways to maintain curb appeal.
Joy Index: 7.7 | ROI: 105%
AESTHETIC & AMBIENCE UPGRADES
Features that dramatically enhance atmosphere, comfort, and natural beauty.
LIGHTING
Outdoor lighting adds depth and dimension—highlighting key features while creating a warm, inviting glow.
Joy Index: 10 | ROI: 60%
DECK
Comfortable and familiar, especially for elevated lots. Adds style and square footage without a major foundation.
Joy Index: 9.8 | ROI: 90%
LANDSCAPE PLANTINGS
Plants add beauty, comfort, & lasting value to your landscape. Over time, they become some of its most defining elements
Joy Index: 8.8 | ROI: 85%
LIFESTYLE GAME-CHANGERS
High Joy features chosen for personal lifestyle, entertaining, or family fun.
POOL
For many families, a pool is the ultimate lifestyle upgrade. While ROI varies by neighborhood, enjoyment value is unmatched.
Joy Index: 10 | ROI: 55%
FIREPIT
A natural gathering spot that extends your outdoor season into cool nights. High emotional value for families & entertainers.
Joy Index: 9.7 | ROI: 65%
PICKLEBALL
A popular feature for active homeowners. Best built for your own enjoyment—resale appeal depends on the buyer.
Joy Index: 9.8 | ROI: 40%
Let’s Design Your Dream Landscape!
Ready to turn insight into action? Our landscape design team works with homeowners across Nashville to create outdoor spaces that balance beauty, function, and long-term value.
Let’s talk through your goals, your budget, and the features that will bring the most joy to your home.
Understanding Joy Index & ROI
Before choosing which outdoor features to invest in, it’s helpful to understand how each one adds value to your home and your daily life. The Joy Index measures lifestyle benefits, while Monetary ROI shows the potential financial return — giving you a complete picture of what each project can deliver.
The Joy Index is a 1–10 rating that reflects how much happiness, comfort, and everyday enjoyment a landscape feature brings to your home.
While financial ROI is important, the Joy Index highlights the personal return that often makes an outdoor project feel like it’s worth the investment.
This rating captures what homeowners value most:
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How often a space is used
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Whether it supports relaxation, entertaining, or family activities
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How much it enhances daily life and emotional well-being
A high Joy Index score means the landscape feature becomes a meaningful part of your routine — an outdoor kitchen for hosting friends, a patio for family dinners, or thoughtfully designed landscape lighting that extends usability well into the evening and transforms your backyard after dark.
Monetary ROI measures how much of your landscaping investment you may recoup when selling your home.
While ROI varies by project, upgrades that add usable outdoor space, boost curb appeal, and improve livability consistently perform well — especially in the Nashville market.
Buyers tend to value:
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Functional outdoor living spaces
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Strong first impressions
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Cohesive, move-in-ready designs
High-ROI features often include patios, outdoor kitchens, decks, and well-planned plantings. Even moderate-ROI additions like pools or fire pits can enhance resale appeal when thoughtfully designed.
Understanding Monetary ROI helps homeowners prioritize upgrades that balance smart design with long-term value.
Five-Star Landscaping Services in Nashville, TN and Nearby Communities
With a main office in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, we are proud to offer a wide range of landscaping services to the following local cities and communities:
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Do More with Your Career at Our Professional Landscaping Company
Are you looking for a way to grow your career and help make the greater Nashville, Tennessee area greener and more sustainable? Join Gardens of Babylon's experienced team! We take care of our employees, providing ongoing training and supporting creativity and knowledge. Find out more about the various career options available at our established at our established landscaping company and garden center.
Rely on Our Landscaping Talent and Expertise
Whether you live on a quiet, charming street in Sylvan Park or own a business in Nashville’s iconic 12 South neighborhood, Gardens of Babylon Landscapes is here to help you make the most of your outdoor areas with creative design services, expert installation, and reliable maintenance. Our comprehensive landscaping services cover every aspect of your outdoor project, and our dedicated customer support ensures you can relax and enjoy our highly-rated experience.
Start turning your outdoor dreams into reality by contacting your trusted landscaping company serving the greater Nashville, Tennessee area.