Adding curb appeal is a simple, cost-effective way to make your home look nicer and increase its value. This is important because your home’s exterior is like a book cover, and making improvements to it will both contribute to your own pleasure and enhance its value in case you decide to sell it.
Here are 12 ways to improve your curb appeal on a budget.
Maintain the Lawn
Lawn care and maintenance is a big part of curb appeal. Rake leaves, mow the grass, pull weeds, and water the lawn regularly. Lawn maintenance doesn’t become a major issue unless you fall behind on it. Get artificial turf or shrub beds if you live in a dry region where natural grass doesn’t grow easily.
Add Flowers
Adding flowers and fresh greenery is a highly effective (and obvious) way to improve curb appeal. If you don’t have enough money or time for this, add some window boxes and planters. Flowers bring focus to windows, doors, and other key elements. Opt for a hanging planter if you’re tight on space. Even a single plant or flower arrangement can improve your exterior a great deal.
Have your Front Door Stand Out
Your front door shouldn’t blend in. It costs less than $100 to paint a door and almost anyone can do it. The color you select shouldn’t clash with other colors in the exterior. That aside, go for a vibrant, bold color that will attract attention. Red and sky blue are popular options for out-of-the-box thinkers. For a noticeable, fast upgrade, replace hardware. Opt for a color that contrasts with that of the paint you chose, such as a brass handle or knob on a black door or black on a red one.
Add Bright Light
A dark entryway isn’t appealing to anyone. Replace hanging pendants or sconces with brighter lights, such as lively neon fixtures. Clean off debris and cobwebs around outdoor fixtures. Your space will appear more welcoming and brighter instantly. You could light up a driveway with solar powered lanterns as well.
Electrical boxes stand out in an unappealing way. To get rid of this eyesore, give them a fresh coat of paint. Choose a color that won’t clash with your front door or other elements of your home’s exterior.
Create Symmetry
Symmetry leads to balance, rendering any object more pleasing to the eye. In the case of a home, symmetrical decoration will make it appear more put together. You could place matching flower pots on either side of your entryway or matching wall lanterns around your garage door.
Definitely add some décor to your front door or garage door – wreaths aren’t only for funerals and Christmas! These works of art will add a unique dose of beauty to your home. Buy a wreath made of flowers or preserved or dried greens or just get a faux plant one. Opt for simple wreaths that will always be current rather than seasonal ones giving your home a dated look.
Clean Your Windows
Cleaning windows is arguably the cheapest way to add curb appeal. The cleaning products available on the market today are sure to make your windows sparkle. This will lend them amazing appeal, particularly if you live in a sunny area, where the sunlight will reflect off the glass beautifully. Of course, cleaning shouldn’t be limited to the windows. Rent a power washer from a major hardware store near you and wash your driveway, walkway, porch, and siding.
Albeit an unpleasant task, you need to clean your gutters as well. Scrub the outsides and clear out any debris on the inside. They should look as good as possible. Use elbow grease to this end – you’ll love the results.
Upgrade your Mailbox and House Number
Replacing old house numbers and a (perhaps even older) mailbox is really cheap and easy, but the difference it makes in curb appeal is noticeable. You won’t spend more than $150 on this hack. Prices of mailboxes vary depending on whether they’re fixed to a wall or standing. If your house number is old, replace it with one with a distinctive font complementing your home’s design. You don’t need to be super handy to replace it and it won’t take you more than 40 minutes.
Improve your Garage Door
Replacing a garage door is not the most budget-friendly of home improvement measures. To make your old door look more appealing, just stain it a new color. To do this, the surface needs to be perfectly clean. The power washer will do that for you.
Create A Well-Defined Path
A clear path will make your house appear more welcoming. If you aren’t willing to invest in a new brick or stone path, apply visual cues like flowers and lighting to create a clear path to your front door around an existing concrete lane or through the grass.
Don’t Neglect Small Repairs
Chipped paint and burned bulbs need to be taken care of. Not just these, but all other tiny flaws should be remedied because they’ll stand out against even the most appealing of exteriors. Take a stroll around the outside of your home and jot down everything that needs to be repaired. Then, get to work with the right tools.
Use Outdoor Furniture the Right Way
Too little outdoor furniture will make your home look neglected, while too much will make it seem cluttered. Finding the right balance is tricky and is often a work in progress. At any rate, make sure all your pieces of outdoor furniture are in good, clean condition. If your yard is small, set up a cute little table with charming ceramic stools.
You don’t need more than a week to improve your home’s curb appeal if you plan in advance and know your priorities. Your house must already have a lot of appealing elements. It needs some final touches to really dazzle and amaze. You’ll be delighted by the outcome achieved with just a little time and effort.
