First impressions matter and are a powerful motivator to improve the curb appeal of your home. Whether you are about to put your home on the market or simply want to make it more appealing, increasing your home’s curb appeal is an exciting challenge that you can complete in one day. A quick transformation can improve the appearance of your property, making it more welcoming and attractive. By focusing on the most impactful ideas, anyone can refresh their home without significant time and effort.
The first thing people notice about your home is its curb appeal. This is one of the most vital ways that you can either attract or discourage potential buyers and guests. Do not feel obligated to complete every project on our list. Instead, consider the layout and condition of your home’s exterior and determine which ideas will be most effective in your situation.
Fresh Coat of Paint for the Front Door
The front door is a vital focal point on the exterior of most homes. Making sure that the coating on your front door is fresh is vital to making potential guests feel like your home is well maintained. Put a fresh topcoat on your front door, either paint, stain, or a clear sealant.
Some homeowners choose to boost their home’s curb appeal with a bold new color to make the front door stand out. Consider your home’s exterior if you want to paint the door something new. For traditional or classic-style homes, consider historic colors like black, red, blue, and green. Contemporary homes look amazing with bright colors like yellow, orange, and white.
Upgrade House Numbers and Hardware
Metal house numbers and hardware often become degraded over time because of exposure to UV rays and moisture. You can replace these easily in just one day. This is a small change, but you will be surprised at how your new additions will refresh the look of your exterior.
Consider updating the style of your outdoor numbers and hardware. There are a wide variety of colors and designs that you can find, from traditional to contemporary. Coordinate your finishes, such as black and brass, to create a unified look.
Tidy Your Landscape
One day is not enough time to completely overhaul your front yard, but it is enough time to get it clean enough to make a good first impression. Take the time to rake leaves, mow the lawn, trim shaggy bushes, mulch flower beds, and edge overgrown paths. The majority of these tasks can be completed in one day, and if done yourself, they will not cost you anything.
If you have the time and money, putting new plants and flowers in your front door beds can add color and brightness to your home. When deciding which plants and flowers will best complement your home, keep the color scheme of the exterior in mind.
Pressure Wash the Exterior
Deep cleaning goes a long way to boosting your curb appeal with potential home buyers. A pressure washer is the best tool for deep cleaning your home’s exterior surfaces. Grime and dirt accumulate on exterior surfaces over time, dulling the appearance and colors of your home.
Start by cleaning the area where guests enter your house if you are pressed for time. This is the area that guests and potential buyers will see up close, so it should be clean and fresh. Prepare the area by removing all portable items, such as potted plants, mats, and furniture. Select the appropriate nozzle for the surface to ensure that it cleans rather than removes paint. Clean and area thoroughly and allow it to dry before replacing your items. If you have more time, move to cleaning the larger areas of the house, including driveways and walkways.
Install Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting can make the exterior of your home look more attractive at dusk or in the evening. Adding lights along pathways and driveways and to highlight architectural and landscape features of your home will make it feel warmer and more welcoming.
Hard-wired lighting is typically installed by professionals and takes more than a day; solar-powered light designs are an alternative that is quick and easy for DIY installation. Because they are powered by the sun, no wiring is required, but they are best suited to areas with plenty of sunlight.
Add Decorative Accents
A freshly cleaned entryway deserves new decorative accents to make the front of your home look stylish and inviting. Consider getting a new welcome mat, seasonal wreath, or throw pillows for your porch swing. Opt for pieces that work well with your exterior color scheme and/or for the season. Choose bright, happy colors for spring and summer and muted earth tones for autumn and winter. These pieces will work wonders in giving your home an appealing appearance without requiring a major overhaul.
Clean the Windows
Sparkling windows help to amplify your curb appeal and allow sunlight to flood into your home, making the inside look brighter and more spacious. While you can outsource this job to professionals, it is also an easy job to tackle yourself.
Find a time to clean your windows when they will not be in direct sunlight, as this can cause streaking. Remove screens if possible for a more thorough cleaning; do this gently so that the screens do not bend. Experts recommend first soaking your windows with water and mild soap to reduce the amount of scrubbing they will need later.
Potted Plants for Your Entry
Adding plants and flowers to garden beds can be time-consuming and costly. Potted plants and flowers can create a striking visual impact in your entryway. Whether you use large statement planters to flank your doorway or a mix of pots of varying sizes, the greenery will add texture and freshness to your entryway, making it feel instantly more inviting. Pair matching pots or planters on either side of the door for a more formal or classic look, and opt for an asymmetrical arrangement for eclectic styles.
Annual plants and flowers will provide color throughout the season, but if you want something that will last longer, consider evergreens such as holly or boxwood, which will look lovely even in the colder months.
Update Outdoor Furniture
Furniture that is exposed to the outdoor elements will become worn and tired over time. If your outdoor furniture is still solid underneath, take a day to refresh it with a new coat of paint or a sealer. Rearrange your pieces to create attractive conversation areas or pair them with a few new pieces to add texture and interest to the arrangement.
Update faded cushions and pillows with new options to make your seating look comfortable and inviting. For cool months, accessorize your seating arrangement with throw blankets and candles.
Install a New Mailbox
Your mailbox is often the first thing people notice when they visit your home, so it is not something you should overlook if you want to improve the appearance of your home. Replace a battered, rusted mailbox with a new one, and potential buyers or guests will notice that you pay attention to detail. If you have a standard mailbox, you can improve the appearance of your home by replacing it with one that complements its style.
Refresh Edging Along Your Beds
Over time, the edges of your flower beds become shaggy and lose their defined appearance. Refreshing the edge along your beds is an excellent way to make your yard look more manicured and draws attention to the contours and shape of your lawn. Use a trimmer to create a natural edge if you like a more minimalist design, or you can also use materials like bricks or stones to create a more distinct border.
Add Window Boxes
Installing window boxes in front of your home is a charming and effective way to improve its curb appeal. Even if you do not have a large garden or yard, window boxes provide an excellent foundation for displaying cascading vines and seasonal plants. This is a great way to bring color and texture front and center on your home’s exterior.
Install ready-made boxes for the quickest and most convenient option. Make sure to select the appropriate size for your windows; ideally, they should be the same width or slightly smaller. To avoid root rot, make sure the boxes have drainage holes. A layer of pebbles at the bottom will also help. To ensure that plants thrive, choose plants that work well in your specific sunlight conditions and provide water as needed.
