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When you hear people say they want to improve their curb appeal, it’s usually because they plan to sell their home. That’s because curb appeal is the first thing people will see when they view your space. If you keep it clean and welcoming, you can make sure your first impression is a good one.
But curb appeal isn’t just for sellability. Even if you’re in your home to stay for a while, curb appeal is important. The more welcoming your home is, the more pride you will have in your space and the more you will get to enjoy it.
How To Improve Your Curb Appeal
Whether you’re planning to sell or just want to enjoy your own space more, consider these 7 ways to improve your home’s curb appeal.
1. Clean Up Your Lawn
One of the quickest and easiest ways to add curb appeal to your home is to tidy up your yard. If it’s been a while since your yard has seen some love, it's time to tune up your lawn mower so you can get outside and clean up. First rake and sweep leaves and debris from the lawn, walkways and driveway. For bigger jobs, you can invest in a leaf blower.
Next you’ll want to pull out weeds and mow the lawn. If you pull the weeds first, it will be easier to see them among the blades of grass. After you mow, use a weed trimmer to tidy up the edges of your lawn along the road, walkways, driveway and gardens. If your lawn looks a bit sparse, consider some extra nutrition or spread some seeds to help fill it out.
Once you have your space where you want it, set aside some time each week to maintain it. You’ll want to regularly water, mow and rake when needed. This will help maintain your curb appeal long term, save you time and give you an excuse to get outside.
2. Add Some Plants
If you already have gardens, take time to clean them up. Weed the garden beds and add mulch. The mulch will help keep the soil moist and keep weeds at bay. You can also add rocks, bricks or wood around the garden to define its borders.
If your garden looks a little empty, add some more plants that are suitable for the amount of sun your gardens get.
Want something that’s easy to maintain? Try some of these plants:
- Knock Out Roses
- Hydrangeas
- Hostas
- Ornamental Grass
- Daylilies
If you don’t already have gardens and don’t want to add any, you can use planters to add life and colour. Whether they’re window, hanging or standing, well placed planters will add to your home's curb appeal and save you time and money. Use the planters to bring focus to key features.
Well established trees are also a great way to improve your curb appeal (and reduce your utility bills). While it can take time to grow trees, there are some fast-growing options you can invest in. These include White Birch, Soft Maples, White Pine, Spruce, Linden Tree or Arborvitae.
3. Make It Look Like New (Or As New As Possible)
We all make sure the inside of our houses are kept clean but many homeowners don’t do the same outside. If you want to do a quick clean, you will want to clear out the gutters, sweep away cobwebs, and wipe down surfaces. For a more thorough clean, invest in a power washer to clean your siding, fences, porch and walkways.
You’ll also want to wipe down your window and door trim. If it still looks like they need some love, head to the store and pick up a can of paint to touch up or recoat them. Pick a colour that will compliment your home's colour palette. Before you paint, be sure to prep the surface well so that the refresh will last for years to come.
While you have the brushes out you could also paint your front door and garage. You can choose to go with a neutral tone that matches your trim. Or you can help make your home pop with a bold colour that coordinates with your exterior.
4. Focus On Small Fixes
Take the time to walk around your home and look for small repairs and replacements. This may include:
- Paint touch ups
- Replacing screens with tears
- Polishing metal finishes
- Clearing away cobwebs
- Replacing burnt out bulbs
Simple hardware upgrades can also help boost your home’s appeal. Take a look at your light fixtures, house numbers, handles and locksets. See if you need to clean, paint or replace them. For a more cohesive look, try to match your finishes and styles. This will help your aesthetic look more complete.
When it comes to light fixtures, try to find ones that have the same mounting system as your current lights. This will save you time and money. If you want hardware that matches the age and style of your home, head to a local store that sells gently used building supplies and hardware.
Another important upgrade to consider is your mailbox. If your mailbox looks old or worn out, you can give it a coat of paint or replace it. Basic mailboxes start as low as $20.
5. Keep It Symmetrical
Symmetry helps give a sense of order, which is pleasing to the eye and makes your home look more put together.
The best place to focus on symmetry is the front door. This will draw people in and welcome them. To achieve symmetry, place lights and planters in the same place on both sides of the door.
6. Be Smart With Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor furniture can help bring your living space outside. It also helps make your home more welcoming to guests.
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For larger porches, add some seating and tables to put drinks, books or phones on. For smaller porches, consider a small outdoor table with a planter to add some life to the space.
If you want somewhere to enjoy your yard without overcrowding your porch, you can put a bench or chairs on the lawn. To help make your seating area look more complete, add planters or use patio stones to create a more defined seating area.
You can also add items like birdbaths, feeders or lawn ornaments to the front lawn to make the space more homey.
But remember, too much outdoor decor can overwhelm the space so be sure to keep it simple. It’s also important to keep it clean and cared for. This will prolong its life and stop your space from looking neglected.
7. Build A Walkway
Walkways can help make your home feel more inviting. Depending on the amount of time and money you want to invest in your walkway, there are many attractive options.
For a simpler walkway, consider framing a grassy path with rocks, bricks or narrow gardens. You could also use stepping stones or pebbles. For an upgraded walkway, you can lay interlocking bricks or patio stones.
You can also add planters, fences or a gate to make a more defined entrance, which will further enhance your home’s exterior.
These are just some of the many changes you can make to improve your home’s curb appeal. Start with one or two of these improvements and see just how big of an impact they can make.
