Easy Ways to Create Curb Appeal

First impressions mean everything. When guests and passersby view your house, what impression does your property send out? An eye-catching, visually appealing exterior is something to be proud of. That’s why boosting your curb appeal is so important—especially if you anticipate selling in the future, because an attractive property will increase you home’s value.

Whip your exterior into shape with these suggestions. Remember: Breaking projects up into small, manageable chunks—as your time and budget allow—is the best way to go, because even just a few design tweaks can make a big impact.

Landscaping. What do a sparse front yard and a scraggly, overgrown landscape have in common? They’re both eyesores. Remedy either problem by filling your yard with pretty beds, borders, and container gardens that inject large doses of color and texture. Define beds (and give them a neater appearance) by edging them with bricks or pavers. And score even more definition with garden structures such as a trellis, bench, or statue—just remember that a few objects go a long way. Try these tips for planning a front-yard landscape. Live in an arid desert area? Yep, you can still landscape away—with the right plants. Read up on desert gardening.

Painting. Giving your home (and trim and shutters too) a new coat of paint easily breathes new life into its appearance. But selecting the right hue can be challenging. For example, if you live in a historic home, you’ll want to stick to an authentic palette. Explore palettes for distinct architectural styles—such as Victorian or Craftsman—here. Regardless of your home’s style, this This Old House article will help you narrow your choices. And when it comes time to select a type of paint, prime yourself (no pun intended) with this exterior paint guide.

Updating the front door. Greet guests in style with a front door that makes a statement. You can find exterior doors in a variety of materials from traditional wood to sturdy steel. Or add timeless character with a salvaged door—the key is to pick one that suits your home’s architectural style. And if your current door is in perfectly good condition, you can still make it stand out by painting it a bold hue or adding transom windows, sidelights, moldings, and more.

Lighting. Illuminate paths and walkways—and the exterior you’ve worked so hard on—with outdoor lighting. Brush up on the types of landscape lighting here.
If you’re in the market for new fixtures, select ones that complement the style and scale of your home. Fixtures with built-in motion detectors enhance safety. Better yet, revive your existing fixtures with these budget-friendly tips from Be Jane.

Adding decorative accents. Top your exterior off with finishing flourishes such as cool new house numbers that are clearly visible from the street. And while you’re at it, why not add a new mailbox? Or frame windows with new shutters? New door hardware—such as knockers, handles, or hinges—instantly enliven a front door.

But that’s not all. Here are some other things you can do—from weekend projects to more time-consuming endeavors:

• Revive your front porch
• Enhance your roof
• Add moldings
• Repair or replace siding (or consider low-maintenance exterior materials)
• Replace windows
• Build an addition

What exterior projects are you tackling this summer—or which would you like to learn more about? Share here!

Until Tuesday,
The Home Know-It-All

Comments

[brad]

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