Ever heard of making a good first impression, because it might be your last? You can apply the same logic to your home. Curb appeal is what makes your home stand out from the crowd, because it’s what makes your home “you”. Whether you’re looking to sell this summer, have recently renovated, or just want to spruce up the exterior, here are some helpful hints on how to add curb appeal without breaking the bank.
Clean the windows. Nothing makes a home shine like a good window scrubbing. After all, you don’t want the stunning inside of your home to be totally obscured by dirty windows. Hire help or wash on your own. Be gentle, especially if the window glass is new, as you don’t want it to scratch.
Paint the outside. Your home’s exterior could probably use a refresh. Choose a neutral paint color, like a cream or taupe, that keep in with your surroundings without being too over-the-top. If you have a front porch, make sure to repaint that as well.
Add a beautiful screen door. Having the right door can make or break your home’s entrance, and adding a beautifully designed storm door can serve multiple purposes. Not only can it protect your front door from the elements, but it allows you to enjoy a nice breeze on a summer day if you select a door with a screen option, all the while adding extra style to your entryway.
Lend a green thumb. There’s no time like the summertime to start landscaping. Mow the grass regularly, trim your trees, shrubs, and hedges. Plant flowers in easy-to-water locations, or buy potted plants if you lack space out front. Either way, adding pops of color with flowers is a great way to inject some personality into your front yard.
Spruce up the entrance. This is where visitors will first make their way inside, so make it pretty. Replace anything that needs it, like a cracked screen door or busted doorbell. Just like the outside of the house, a quick coat of paint can breathe new life into an old door. The same goes for a new door handle, some WD40 on the hinges, and a clean doormat. A brightly colored pot of flowers next to the door rounds it all out.
Add bay windows. If you’ve got the budget to really renovate your home, go big and go bay! The beautiful panes in bay windows will allow a flood of natural light into your home, putting your spectacular living room center stage to the rest of your house.
Think beyond the front yard. Yes, your yard is what people see when they drive by, but they will also notice cracks in the sidewalk or filthy trash cans. Power wash your driveway and sidewalk (please obey local water restrictions if they apply). Repair any broken concrete.
Make a list of the rest. There’s so many tiny things that add up. Sometimes it’s easiest to make a list of the small stuff, and tackle them one at a time over the summer. Look for any holes in your curb appeal plan, like house numbers that need to be repainted, weathered gutters that need to be patched up, broken outdoor light fixtures that need repairs, or a new mailbox to replace an old, dingy one.
Now, over to you – what are your tips for improving curb appeal? Are you satisfied with the exterior of your home? Share it with us below.
