Every home wants to make an excellent first impression, and that includes your curb appeal. The front of your house is the first thing people see when they pull up, and it needs to be attractive enough to encourage them to stop in for a visit.
Everyone knows how important curb appeal is- you’ve seen those homes with an unkempt lawn or paint peeling off the siding and thought, “you don’t want what’s inside.” With that said, here are some tips on making yours as lovely as possible!
Work on Your Front Porch
Your front porch is the very first impression people will get of your home. It can be a great way to improve your home’s curb appeal, but it isn’t easy or cheap! However, it doesn’t have to break the bank if you are creative and resourceful with what you already own. You don’t even need much time for this project.
A little bit of paint can go a long way in improving your front porch’s look and feel. If the color is peeling off, it will need replacing. You could add some new molding or even replace all of it for an entirely different appearance!
Just remember that you don’t have to do a complete makeover if it will cost a lot of money. Sometimes, you can replace a few items and spend the rest on other things that will improve your home.
Incorporate Natural Elements Like Trees and Plants
In addition to adding a pop of color with flowers, trees and plants can also increase your curb appeal. Having a tree nearby can reduce heat from the sun and block winds that may blow trash around, and provide shade for you to enjoy on days when it is hot outside.
Having plants also has many benefits, including cleaning the air of harmful pollutants, attracting butterflies or birds, which act like natural pest control (and are fun to watch!), and help with house insulation. Also, having trees or plants around the perimeter of your property can increase your home’s value. So be sure to take care of them!
Use a Color That Stands Out
You can use a color that stands out to improve your home’s curb appeal. For example, if you have gray siding on the exterior of your house, try painting it a shade of blue for an updated look.
You could also paint some white shutters with black trim around the windows or plant colorful flowers near the front door. If you have a front porch, consider painting the railings a different color or adding some hanging plants.
Don’t worry about the specific colors you choose, as long as they stand out. You can also try using colors that won’t clash with your home’s exterior. This could be a good idea if most of your home already has neutral shades like beige or gray.
For example, painting the front door red would look nice, but it could clash with the siding. So instead, opt for a color that is closer to neutral, like brown or green.
Renovate Your Doors and Windows
Homeowners have a variety of reasons for wanting to improve their home’s curb appeal. Some may want to increase the value of their property, while others want to address aesthetic issues that are detracting from how they feel about living there every day.
Whatever your reasoning, modernizing your doors and windows is an inexpensive way to make more money while also increasing the comfort of your home’s interior. If you are looking for ways to improve your home’s curb appeal, homeowners often make some common mistakes when it comes to their doors and windows.
The first is forgetting about weatherproofing these exterior renovations. Just because you have new doors or windows does not mean they won’t be damaged by the weather if they are not adequately cared for.
If you’re unsure about how to go about protecting your new windows and doors, speak with a professional who can advise you on what products would work best. Another common mistake is choosing colors that do not match the rest of their home’s exterior.
For example, a dark door or window might look nice, but if your home is light-colored, it will stick out like a sore thumb. Replace your old doors with new ones and don’t forget to get an overhead door for your garage. This is something that most people tend to forget. If you are unsure about what colors to choose for your renovation project, consider speaking with an expert who can assist you in finding the perfect color match.
Cleaning and Decluttering
Cleaning your home’s exterior is a great place to start. You’ll want to wash the windows, trim any overgrown plants and pick up the junk that has accumulated in front of your house or around it. Wipe down all outdoor furniture, benches, and fences. Remove debris from flower beds and sweep walkways if they get covered with leaves or other debris.
Gutter and Roof Repairs
Gutter and roof repairs are typically the first thing someone will notice about your home. Unfortunately, if they look dirty, it can also make them think something is wrong with your roof or foundation, which could be harmful financially in the long run.
Begin by taking a walk around your house, starting at the top of each side, looking for any loose shingles, sagging gutters, or even standing water. If you see any problems such as these, it’s essential to take care of them immediately.
Even if your gutters are fine, it’s just as important to clean them out. Leaves that get stuck in the corners of the gutter can eventually lead to mold or mildew, which is harmful to both your home and your family members’ health.
Additionally, having dirty gutters won’t do their job correctly, so they may eventually break or fall off. Finally, be sure to inspect underneath your house for any standing water along the foundation which can lead to mold and mildew and opening you up for termite infestation, so you must look here as well when inspecting each side of the home.
Upgrade Your Outdoor Furniture
When it comes time for an upgrade, the cushions are often what get replaced first. That’s because updating your pillow can be one of the cheapest ways to update any space in your home. There is no need to invest money into new pieces when you can replace the covers on your existing furniture.
If you can’t afford new cushions at the moment, consider using a throw blanket as an alternative for covering up your current set of outdoor seating. Inexpensive outdoor rugs can be used in place of expensive patio furniture.
If you have an existing seating arrangement, but don’t want the expense associated with new pieces, consider upgrading your cushions and adding a rug for added texture and fluffiness! By placing a large rug beneath your existing furniture, you can change the look of the entire space.
Regular Maintenance
Even with the most beautiful landscaping, a yard can still look unkempt if it isn’t properly maintained. By investing time in regularly maintaining your home’s exterior, you will add value to your property and improve its overall look.
This is not only important for improving your home’s curb appeal but also in protecting its structural integrity from damage due to weathering or insects. In addition to the aesthetically pleasing results, regular maintenance is also essential for protecting your home’s structural integrity.
In conclusion, there are several ways you can make your home’s exterior look better. It doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive or time-consuming either! Sometimes a fresh coat of paint and new landscaping is all it takes; sometimes, just rearranging/reusing things in different places creates the desired effect. Either way, improving your home’s exterior is a great way to increase its value and give it an extra boost of curb appeal!
