Simple but thoughtful upgrades can do wonders for your home’s curb appeal.
Front door
Painting your front door is one of the quickest ways to give your home’s exterior a makeover. Instead of repainting your entire porch, try selecting just one pop of color that complements your home’s color scheme. Something dark like navy blue, sage green, or even matte black will draw the eye to your front entrance like a frame around a picture.
Your whole home will feel cleaner, more modernized, and updated, like you spent thousands on professional renovations when really you just bought a can of paint.
House numbers
House numbers are easy to overlook. If your old numbers are faded, falling apart, or nearly impossible to see from the street, upgrading to larger, contrasting ones is one of the easiest curb appeal fixes.
Additionally, picking a material that complements your home’s architecture will make your home feel more intentional. Brushed nickel numbers for a sleek and modern bungalow or traditional brass for an older home are some great ideas.
Light fixtures
Most homebuilders don’t spend too much time selecting outdoor light fixtures, which means many new homes are stuck with builder-grade options.
Replace that boring light with something more modern, like a lantern or sconce. Bonus points for matching the metal finish to your door hardware (door knocker, door handle, mailbox).
Power washing
Dirt and grime can build up on your home exterior over the years without you even realizing it. Power washing your home can literally wash away years in a matter of hours.
The difference between the newly cleaned siding next to the old, grimy patio will amaze you.
Door hardware
If you aren’t ready to paint the whole door, simply changing your door hardware can give your front entrance a high-end feel. Replacing an old, brass door handle, deadbolt, and knocker with new hardware is an easy way to improve your curb appeal.
Matte black, oil rubbed bronze, and satin nickel are all popular choices to make your front door feel substantial and heavy.
Window cleaning
Did you know that dirty windows are one of the fastest ways to make your house look unkempt? Washing your windows inside and out will allow more light to shine through, brightening up your home’s interior and sharpening your exterior.
Taking the time to wash your windows on the inside and out is one of the simplest tasks that makes a huge impact on your home’s sparkle factor.
Symmetrical planters
Nothing says luxury like a set of potted plants flanking your front door. Whether they’re filled with bushy greenery or vibrant flowers, matching planters on each side of your entrance create instant symmetry.
This makes your home feel more inviting and lived-in, giving passersby the impression that you care about your home’s exterior.
Edged walkways
Sharp lines between your grass, driveway, and sidewalks are a subtle way to create professional-looking landscapes. Grass tends to grow into your walkways if not properly maintained, giving your lawn an unkempt look.
Using an edging tool to create crisp lines between your lawn and walkways will make your entire yard look well-manicured.
New doormat
Believe it or not, your doormat takes a lot of abuse. Guests wipe their shoes on it, kids jump on it, and dogs use it to shade their nails. When was the last time you replaced your doormat?
Replacing it with a new rubber mat that is thick and dense enough to leave dirt behind is an easy way to show you care about details. Consider getting a bold patterned rug to layer underneath a basic woven doormat.
Hide hoses
Gardening tools are necessary, but there’s nothing that kills your lawn’s curb appeal faster than seeing a tangle of green garden hose. While you’re at it, consider upgrading to a cute, lidded hose pot or even a wall-mounted hose reel to stash your hose away when not in use.
Your garden will look that much greener when you keep all of your gardening supplies hidden away.
Shrub trimming
Bushes and shrubs are a great way to add greenery to your home’s exterior, but you have to trim them. Overgrown bushes make your home look smaller and much less inviting.
Be sure to trim back any plants that touch your home’s siding and trim up any shrubs that hide your windows. You want to open up your home by allowing natural light to shine through those windows.
Fresh mulch
Just like a frame around a painting, dark brown or black mulch can go a long way in defining your garden beds. It helps keep weeds at bay and retains moisture in the soil.
It also creates a rich backdrop that accentuates the greens of your leaves and the colors of your flowers. Fresh mulch makes your yard look manicured and well-tended.
Mailbox care
Mailboxes are often the first thing people notice when pulling up to your home. If your mailbox is looking beat up, try giving it a new coat of spray paint. You can even upgrade your mailbox’s house numbers to match the style of your home.
If it’s past the point of repair, don’t be afraid to replace your mailbox. It’s a simple fix that can make a big difference from the street.
Minor repairs
Spend an hour one Saturday walking around the front of your home and look for any areas that could use some tender love and care. Touch up peeling paint on window frames, secure any loose siding, or replace a few cracked concrete pavers.
Preventative maintenance goes a long way; taking care of these small things now can save you from costly repairs down the road.
Hidden bins
We all need trash and recycling bins, but there’s no reason they need to be in front and center in your front yard. Try storing them in your garage or hiding them behind a privacy fence.
If you want to get creative, build or buy a cheap storage box to hide them inside. Removing the visual clutter of garbage cans from your driveway can make your home feel instantly tidy.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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