You’ve probably heard the term “curb appeal,” but what does it really mean — and why does it matter? Curb appeal, of course, is the perceived value of your property’s exterior. It’s the thing that makes visitors (and prospective homebuyers) want to take a closer look inside.
Whether you’re moving soon or are already living in your forever home, here are a few main reasons why people often choose to undergo these previous projects to improve their home’s appearance.
Your home’s value can skyrocket
We often like to treat ourselves to a day of self-care and maintenance. Our houses are the same way. They shine when you put some extra love and attention in making sure it looks stunning. You don’t even need to be a landscape design pro. Choosing to do a handful of these simple projects can make your home’s value skyrocket. When you’re ready to sell, you’ll have to keep your eager buyers from knocking your entire door down.
You can create a more entertaining space
When the weather is nice, staying indoors is a less appealing option. Make your porch an entertaining space, and you’ll never run out of ways to spend time with the most important people in your life. Set up a hammock, or a table for picnics, to create endless and fun possibilities.
You’ll have an area where you can relax
There’s something so refreshing about being outdoors. It may be the clean air or the sweet scent of the flowers and trees decorating your yard. Regardless, making your front porch a serene area can benefit you by giving you the ultimate place to relax. You’ll have a place to unwind when work or school gets too stressful, making these projects worthy investments for both you and your home.
You’ll make a great first impression
Planning on having family and friends over often? If so, investing in your outdoor area is essential, as this is what guests see when they first drive up to your home. What kind of impression do you wish to make? If you want to make your house look put together, these ideas for improving the outdoor space are paramount for a host that loves to impress.
It will give you the motivation to maintain the home properly
It’s easy to overlook the outdoor areas when the inside of your home is also quite demanding— however, if you dedicate yourself to enhancing the curb appeal, your yard will always look picture perfect.
The bottom line: don’t overlook your curb appeal when trying to sell your property. Even if you’re not relocating, upgrading your outdoor space has many benefits. To learn more about why you should invest in upping your curb appeal game and which steps you must take to do so, read on.
Great Ways to Improve Curb Appeal This Summer
Driveway paving: Driveway paving can make it easy to hide any flaws like stains and cracks. Concrete and asphalt are two popular options. They each have their pros and cons. Therefore, if you’ve noticed your driveway is full of holes and cracks, using either can automatically make your entire home look immaculate.
The pros of concrete are as follows:
- less maintenance
- they stay cooler as they absorb less UV rays
- lasts longer than asphalt
The pros of using asphalt to repave your driveway are as follows:
- fast installation
- virtually weather-proof
- more cost-effective per square foot
- easier to repair
You can gauge your options depending on what you’re looking for. Would you rather save money upfront or invest in something a bit sturdier that will last up to ten years longer? The choice is up to you.
Replace your garage doors: If your garage doors are looking dingy, this can take away from the entire appeal of your home as they the focal point of your front yard. Look into getting them replaced with something more stylish, sleek, and clean-looking.
However, if you’re unsure whether you should replace your garage doors, consider these factors. First, think about the age of your garage door — if it’s older than 15 years old, or it’s struggling to operate, it’s time for an upgrade. Next, look into the wear and tear. If the paint is chipped or you can spot signs of storm damage, you’ll need to look into a replacement right away. It’s not just an issue of aesthetics, but it’s also a safety concern! You want a solid garage door that can keep thieves and intruders out of your home.
Power-washing your home’s exterior: One of the best ways to improve curb appeal is to ensure your home’s exterior looks bright and new. Power washing your home involves blasting it with a high powered machine filled with sand or water. This can scrape off any encrusted dirt on the building. It can also blast away mold and mildew, stains, and airborne contaminants that can harm your lungs.
Improve your landscaping: Undoubtedly, one of the most popular ways to improve curb appeal is by focusing on your landscaping. If your landscape looks dead, crunchy, and yellow, it’s time to bring some life back to the area. You can start with debris removal. Get rid of any litter or fallen tree branches from your yard. Tree pruning and trimming the shrubs can also make the area look cleaner and more presentable. Flowers can also add some visual interest, so opt for bright colors such as yellow, orange, and violet.
Repair your roof: If your roof has been damaged due to severe weather, get it repaired right away. This step will not only increase your home’s value if you’re looking to sell it, but it will also keep you and your family safe the next time a big storm hits. If you find shingles on the ground surrounding your home, your roof is sagging, or you’re finding shingle granules in the gutters, these are key signs that it’s time for a replacement.
Keep in mind that roofs don’t last forever — so even if you’ve incurred no storm damage, it may be time to consider repairs or replacement. Believe it or not, this is one of the effective ways to improve curb appeal. A roof that looks worse for wear can keep buyers from making an offer. Make sure that if your home needs roof repair that you get it!
Replace siding and shutters if necessary: Show your window shutters some love too! You can add a fresh coat of paint. You may need to replace them completely to transform your home from drab and dreary to colorful and dreamy.
Plant a garden: Planting a garden is another way you can increase your home’s value — and it’s one of the best ways to improve curb appeal while enjoying the literal fruits of your labor. You don’t even need to be an expert. You can plant plants that don’t require a lot of water, like succulents. You can also enhance the area with ceramic art and wind chimes. If you want to add some greenery but don’t know how, consult with a landscaping contractor to create the perfect garden.
If you live in a drier area, consider drought-tolerant plants or create a rock garden if you’re looking for something low-maintenance.
Play with color: One of the other ways to improve curb appeal is by playing with different colors throughout the space. For example, if you have a wraparound porch, repaint it a vibrant color. You can also use this same method on your door. Paint it bright blue or red, for an unexpected but gorgeous splash of color. Color can have a huge impact on a prospective buyer, so don’t overlook one of the most fun ways to improve curb appeal!
Replace the porch light: If you haven’t already installed porch lights, this is a great way to add more value to your home. It’s also safer, as it prevents guests from tripping and falling in the dark while walking towards your home.
Get a new fence: Is your fence falling over? Does it need a fresh coat of paint? A poorly maintained fence is a dead giveaway that you’ve been neglecting your curb appeal. You can install a wooden fence. This is a popular option, as it’s cost-effective, durable, and great for the environment. Unlike other materials, wood can be easily broken down by the Earth when discarded.
An aluminum fence is another option. Aluminum fences tend to be safer, even easier to install, long-lasting, and durable to severe weather. Lastly, vinyl fencing is another option that looks great, modern, and offers privacy for the homeowner.
Improve the walkway: When someone is walking towards your front door, you want to make sure they feel instantly welcomed. Add solar-powered lights along the walkway or use tiles to divide the area. You can also use flowers to create a sweet-smelling pathway to your home.
Think about symmetry: If you want to make your home look like a million bucks, try this idea. It’s easy to implement, and you can use the resources you already have. Focus on making the front yard look as symmetrical as possible.
Draw an imaginary line down the middle of your yard, and add similar elements on either side. For example, if you have a round bush on the left, make sure to trim the one of the left the same to match.
Don’t neglect your mailbox: What does the state of your mailbox look like? You want to give it your attention as well. If it’s falling apart, opt for a brand new mailbox. You can also paint it a vibrant color if you want to get creative with your yard.
Buy lawn furniture: If you’re trying to sell your home and want to know one of the overlooked ways to improve curb appeal, lawn furniture out front can help your prospective buyers imagine themselves drinking lemonade or coffee on the front porch. Add a nice table and chairs to your front patio area. Even a hammock will do. Make sure whatever furniture you buy is durable. Steer clear of those flimsy fold-out chairs, as this may cheapen the look of your home instead. You can use decorative pillows to infuse your unique personality into the space, as well.
Maintain the area: While you can make all these improvements to your home, none of it will matter if you don’t keep up with the maintenance. Make sure you mow the grass, water the plants, and fix any chips in the paint throughout the year. Wash the windows to ensure they look brilliant year-round, too. This can save you both time and money, so you won’t have to do a total upgrade down the line.
Get creative with your house number: Use decorative tiles, or paint your home’s address using your favorite color. This is one way you can make your house stand out in the neighborhood too!
Add a fresh coat of paint: Lastly, adding a new coat of paint can make such a big difference — you may even be surprised at how fresh, and new your house can look after such a simple project! However, painting the entire house can be time-consuming. If you’re looking to instantly improve your home’s curb appeal, turn to a local team of residential painters to get the job done in no time.
There you have it! If you’ve ever wondered why it’s so crucial to improve your curb appeal, turn to these last few helpful benefits. However, if you’re unsure where to start, follow these tips above to transform your space so you can be the envy of your entire neighborhood.
