The Right Way To Mow Your Lawn To Boost Curb Appeal, According to Landscapers

Source: realtor.com

As a seller, you want your front yard to make a strong first impression since buyers often see many homes quickly. Lawn striping—a mowing technique that creates alternating light and dark green stripes like those on sports fields—can boost your curb appeal. Gene Caballero, cofounder of GreenPal, notes that striping is an affordable, chemical-free way to enhance your lawn’s visual impact.

What is lawn striping?

To clarify, striping is done with a lawn mower but doesn’t cut the grass. Instead, it bends the grass blades in different directions, creating light stripes where grass bends away and dark stripes where it bends toward you, based on sunlight reflection. Luka Milicevic, a Nashville contractor and real estate agent, notes that striping has grown popular recently, especially in regions with cool-season grasses. It’s favored by sellers aiming to enhance curb appeal, as a neat lawn greatly improves buyers’ first impressions, even if it doesn’t directly increase home value.

 

Can the average mower do this—or do you need special equipment?

Striping can be done with a typical mower, but it does require a striping kit, which usually costs anywhere from $100-$300, Caballero says. Alternatively, he says homeowners could use a weighted roller behind the mower.

He adds that he’s seen some homeowners drag a weighted PVC pipe or even a broom across the grass. “You don't need any fancy gear.” Caballero insists.

Does striping only work on certain grass types?

Caballero explains that cool-season grasses like fescue, ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass are easiest to stripe because they’re more flexible and reflective. Warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia are stiffer and harder to bend, making striping more difficult. Milicevic adds that taller grass (2.5–3.5 inches) bends better for more dramatic stripes, and healthier grass holds patterns more uniformly.

How much effort does it take to maintain the look?

Milicevic says maintaining lawn striping is easy to do—but can take some time. 

For one thing, he says it's important to water the grass often (as healthy grass responds better to striping) and mow the grass regularly. 

“Don’t cut more than a third of the grass blade at a time to keep it healthy and flexible enough to bend for striping,” Milicevic says, noting that keeping the blades sharp on your mower will help, as “dull blades tear grass, leading to a ragged look that won’t stripe well.”

He also advises varying patterns weekly, to avoid grass wear and ruts from wheels, and to keep mower blades sharp for a clean cut.

Should you hire a professional or DIY?

Some homeowners stripe their lawns themselves, while others hire professionals. For large or oddly shaped yards or intricate designs, hiring a pro is recommended. If you already use a landscaper, they can likely add striping affordably. Many can DIY with the right mower (riding or zero-turn) and a striping kit. Start by mowing your lawn evenly with sharp blades, then use a striping kit or roller to bend the grass. Begin with simple straight lines, mowing in overlapping passes and alternating directions. Once confident, you can try more complex patterns like checkerboards or waves.

Is lawn striping worth it?

Lawn striping is a smart way to boost curb appeal, especially if you’re selling soon. Zach Fertig, co-owner of Property Leads, says a well-kept exterior attracts buyers faster and suggests the home is cared for inside. It also enhances photos, helping generate online interest. Small visual upgrades like striping can increase buyer interest and lead to better offers.