A home is the biggest investment most people will make in their lifetime. The way it looks on the outside is a reflection of the people who live on the inside. The exterior of a house is much like a book cover, it provides a glimpse of things to come if we enter the house.
Improving the curb appeal of your home will make it more welcoming to you and your visitors. And if you’re in the market to sell your home, first impressions mean a lot to potential home buyers and an updated exterior will entice buyers to come inside and increase the value of your home.
Use these DIY curb appeal tips to update your home’s exterior to increase home value without emptying your wallet.
Keep the lawn tidy
An overgrown lawn is not attractive. It gives the impression of the home being neglected outside and inside. Keep the lawn mowed and weeds trimmed, and don’t forget to sweep trimmings off walkway and driveway.
Remove all debris from the front yard. Anything that does not look like it belongs in the front yard should be removed. Even an excessive amount of toys and lawn furniture can detract from the curb appeal of the home.
Update landscaping
Trim back overgrown hedge bushes, trees, and shrubs. Remove all dead foliage spent flower blooms from plants and plant some new flowers to update the landscaping. Select a variety of plants for the front yard that will provide blooms for three seasons of the year.
Spring, summer, and fall have many flowering plant choices that will add color, curb appeal and value to your home’s landscape. Winter color can be provided by one of the many berry-producing shrubs that are available. The addition of flowers and berries will also attract pollinators and keep them well-fed.
Add some color
Paint the front door to add color to the front of the house. A distinct color that contrasts with the paint color of the house is ideal for an exterior door. A bold color choice will lead the eye directly to the main entryway so guest will know which door to use.
New planters
Colorful planters flanking a newly painted door also draws the eye towards the entrance and increases curb appeal. Window boxes and hanging baskets are appealing too. If you don’t have a green thumb or time to garden, place artificial flowers and greenery in planters. Change them out regularly as these will fade quickly when exposed to sunlight.
New door
You could paint your existing front door or you could consider replacing it with an iron door. Durable, attractive and secure, a decorative iron door will enhance the look of your home’s exterior way more than a traditional wooden door. Installing new hardware on an old door is also an inexpensive way to update the look of the entryway.
Illuminate the Front
Illuminate the front of your home with a new outdoor light fixture for your porch. Install a few solar lights to illuminate walkways and flower beds. Solar house numbers on the house and/or mailbox are also a good idea.
Spruce up the mailbox
A mailbox doesn’t have to be boring, it can be the focal point of your home’s front exterior. A city or rural mailbox can be painted and decorated to celebrate holidays, changing seasons or to recognize a favorite sports team.
Plant flowers around a rural mailbox and hang a colorful wreath on a city mailbox. The simple box can serve double duty by collecting your mail and increasing curb appeal.
Power wash
Pressure washing your home’s exterior can remove years of built-up grime in just a few hours. The expense and work are much less than a new coat of exterior paint, and power washing will make everything look brand new.
Make repairs
A loose porch railing, torn window screen, or clogged gutters can detract from the appearance and value of a home. Make needed repairs to improve curb appeal and make the home safer for your family.