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First impressions matter, especially when it comes to your home. Increasing your home's curb appeal is a smart investment in your financial future and overall quality of life. Welcome guests (and potential buyers) into your home with a refined entryway, exterior, and landscaping plan. Utilize thoughtful upgrades to make the most of your home's initial image.
What Is Curb Appeal?
“Curb appeal” is a phrase used to describe how attractive a home is from the street. To visitors and neighbors, the exterior of your home is a cue to what the rest of the home looks like. When intention is put into maintaining the exterior of your home, it shows the work and care you put into the home at a glance. For homeowners looking to sell, curb appeal is vital. Strong curb appeal makes homes sell for high prices. However, for any homeowner, having good appeal will increase confidence and enjoyment.
Key elements of curb appeal are:
Entryway Design
Lighting
Siding Quality and Appearance
Additional Architectural Details
Landscaping
Together, these features create a cohesive and welcoming look for your property to enhance overall charm and functionality.
Improve Curb Appeal
1. Refresh Your Front Door
The centerpiece of a welcoming entryway, the front door is the focal point of your home’s exterior. A fresh coat of paint will do the trick to refresh the look and draw attention to it. Bold, classic colors will instantly transform the look of your entry without shelling out for a new door right way. Consider colors like deep red, navy blue, or timeless black. If paint isn’t enough (or you simply like the finish of your door as is), consider updating your hardware. Add an elegant touch with stylish handles, a unique door knocker, or bold house numbers. Once you’re happy with your door, finish the look seasonally with a welcome mat and a suitable wreath.
For those looking to change their look on the next level, consider fully replacing the door. Be intentional and daring. Modern or custom-designed doors can bring out your home's best features in a way that paint cannot. Custom entryways are a step up in cost but will also give you a door exactly how you’d like it.
2. Illuminate with Outdoor Lighting
Be beautiful, recognizable, and safe. Highlight your home's best features with specified lighting efforts. With solar-powered options, your electric bill won’t even take a hit to showcase your home’s beauty. Search for wall scones, pathway lights, or even string lights. Create a warm glow that invites good opinions of your home. By lighting walkways, you create a more accessible and welcoming home.
For an extra pop, look into accent lighting. This is useful for unique landscaping; consider adding lights around gardens or water features. Don’t limit their appreciation to daylight hours!
3. Keep It Clean
Tip: A simple power wash can make your siding, driveway, and walkways look brand new without a full refresh. Regularly clear clutter from porches and entryways, ensuring the space feels open and welcoming. Clean windows and check lights and corners for cobwebs.
Keep up to date on seasonal maintenance. Fall? Time to rake. Winter? Find your shovel. Spring? Clean up your plant life. Maintaining a home can be tiring, but the effort is worth it to show off the home you’ve worked so hard for. It can be overwhelming if you fall behind.
4. Landscape for Lasting Impressions
Well-maintained, intentionally designed landscaping has the potential to boost curb appeal. It’s the simple things. Trim overgrown shrubs, add a bed of colorful flowers, or take some time to search for seasonally blooming plants. Plantlife can go a long way in an entryway. Tall planters of lush, colorful plants add texture and color to the experience of entering your home. In addition, keep your lawn neatly mowed to finish it off.
Interested in committing more time? Think in layers. Various heights of landscaping features are a great way to create visual interest around your home. Tiered garden beds or tall focal pieces allow the viewer's eye to bounce around. If you have time to do or hire out research, a garden of native plants will be much easier to maintain than other plant life. Mulch and decorative stones will work to retain moisture in garden beds.
5. Update Pathways and Driveways
Keep a put-together look. Damaged walkways decrease the guest’s experience in your home before they even enter. To add more appeal to your home, consider updating driveways and walkways. Straightforward resurfacing can make these environments safer and more aesthetically pleasing. Budgeting? Powerwashing is always a great option.Add additional features to pathways. Choose your favorite out of decorative stones, brick borders on walkways, or the unique look of stamped concrete. While updating the pathways, try utilizing the previously mentioned solar-powered walkway lights to increase security and safety.
6. Pay Attention to Small Details
Small details make a big impact. Create areas of unique interest. Fill window boxes with seasonal flowers if you’re looking for additional greenery. If plants are too high maintenance, don’t worry; you have other options. Add decorative shutters specifically chosen for your home’s feel. Find a brand new mailbox that perfectly complements the house. Functionality and curb appeal can go hand in hand.
A porch is a fantastic place to focus on functionality. Updated outdoor furniture, like a bench or porch swing, can make your home feel like a place to sit and be welcome to stay for a while. Porch railings, lighting, and decor should all be carefully considered.
Creating curb appeal doesn’t require a massive renovation, though an intentional upgrade can be valuable. You can test aesthetic directions with small adjustments before committing to a larger-budget renovation project. Increase your home's overall value and your enjoyment of it. These enhancements bring a personal touch to any home that speaks volumes.
By focusing on key areas like the front door, lighting, landscaping, and even small details, you can transform your home’s exterior to reflect your hard work. Remember, curb appeal isn’t just for potential buyers—it’s about creating a house you’ll love coming home to every day.
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