Your home should look beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. The garden, alleyways, exterior walls, and outside door(s) are the first things you see when you come back after a long day of work or when guests come over. Wouldn’t you want these to be impressive and leave everyone looking in awe of your design taste?
Not to mention, curb appeal is important if you’re trying to sell. Some studies even suggest a good-looking home can fetch a higher price (up to 7% more!). Plus, your neighbors will be more willing to connect with the owner of the pretty house — they’ll also envy you a little bit, but this comes with the territory.
So, whether you’re preparing to sell or just want to make your house stand out, you should put more effort into sprucing up that exterior. Here are a few tips that don’t cost a fortune and have a big impact.
1. A Stellar First Impression: Upgrade Your Doors
Your front and garage doors are usually on the side of the house that everyone sees from the street or when approaching the house. They’re the main entryways into your sanctuary, so first and foremost, you want them to be sturdy and impenetrable.
But exterior doors can also be stylish and interesting. When there’s a clear connection between the main door(s) and the rest of the house, you create a visual story that talks about the pride of being a homeowner.
Therefore, if the current door feels shabby and creaky, maybe it’s time for a new one. If it’s just looking a bit tired, you may solve everything with a fresh coat of paint in a bold, contrasting color. A hardware upgrade is also a great way to upgrade your door, both physically and visually.
2. Trim the Bushes: Landscaping and Lawn Care
Nothing can make your home look old and decrepit like an unkempt front garden! Overgrown lawns, out-of-control shrubbery, and weeds poking their heads through paving stones are clear signs of an uninvolved homeowner.
On the other hand, a quick bush trim next to a perfectly manicured lawn will completely change the vibe. And it only takes a couple of hours to do the job! If you can’t do it yourself, hire someone to do it. For simple jobs, you can even hire a neighbor’s kid (or your own), so there’s no excuse for allowing things to get out of control.
Add a few elegant garden furniture pieces and a few flowerbeds, and your house will be magazine-ready in no time. Don’t forget to add a thin layer of fresh, dark-colored mulch (wood chips, bark) to all your flower beds and around trees. It helps suppress weeds and retains soil moisture, but it also looks great in a sea of green.
3. Wash Away the Years: Power Washing and Cleaning
A simple power wash of your walkways, driveway, porch, deck, and the siding of your home removes years of dirt, mildew, and grime. Your home will look vibrant again, and the stones and pavement around it will get a new shine.
Besides the visual upgrade, a power wash removes organic growths (like mold and mildew) from surfaces, which helps prevent deterioration. So it’s not just about improving curb appeal; it’s a maintenance task.
4. A Fresh Look: Paint or Siding Touch-Ups
Older homes need a fresh coat of paint or some siding repairs from time to time. This is for both aesthetics and insulation purposes, so make sure to stay on top of it.
For instance, if you notice minor peeling or blistering of the paint or siding, small gaps in caulking, or just dull-looking paint, then a fresh coat of paint should do the job. But, if there’s warping, buckling, or loose panels, and you notice persistent organic growth (fungus, mold, or mildew) in seams, then it’s time for some siding repairs.
Extra tip: If the damage is localized and minor (only a few rotting boards are affected), you can likely repair and replace those sections, then paint the entire house to match. If the damage is widespread or the siding is 20+ years old, it’s best to consider a full replacement.
5. Light the Way: Upgrade Outdoor Lighting
A well-lit house is less likely to be targeted by burglars, but it’s also a sign of a warm and happy environment. Plus, with today’s LED and solar technology, there’s no reason to keep lights down.
First, invest in security lighting like motion-activated LED floodlights and entryway sconces. Bright light is perfect for deterring intruders, and, since they’re motion-activated, you don’t have to worry about the bill.
Sconces that frame the front door can also be LED. Choose lantern-style ones for a chic look (it goes well with that new front door).
After security lighting is installed, you can start thinking about decorative lighting, such as solar paths along the walkways, or fairy lights in the trees or bushes.
Wrap Up
There you have it: five ways to raise curb appeal without breaking the bank. Whether it’s a new door, a new coat of paint, or additional lights in the garden, it’s easy to put everything together by yourself or with friends’ help.
