If you haven’t thought about your home’s curb appeal, or if it’s been a while since you’ve considered it, walk or drive past your home and look at it from the street with a critical, impartial eye. Ask yourself, “What would a stranger notice first about my home?” Would they see an inviting and well-kept exterior, or would they immediately notice some delayed maintenance and room for improvement? A home’s curb appeal can be critical from a real estate and value perspective.
Paint the Front Door. A fresh coat of paint or stain on the main door can do a lot to make your home’s entrance look clean and inviting. Consider a bright paint color that contrasts well with your home’s exterior wall and trim color. Shades of red, blue, and yellow are popular colors that can make your front entrance “pop.” Or, if your home has a more traditional, classic design, consider a glossy black paint. Either way, you can't go wrong.
Decorate With a Wreath. Give your guests a special welcome at the front door with a friendly wreath or basket. Wreaths can be seasonal, or you can choose one that will be appropriate all year around. If you don’t want to put a nail in the door, look for a wreath hook hanger at your local home or crafts store.
Replace Your Mailbox. Tired of the same old mailbox? Get a new one or spruce up the one you have with a fresh coat of paint or some new numbers. Plant some blooming flowers or shrubbery at the base of the mailbox to add some color and interest.
Spruce Up the Front Lawn. You can never go wrong with clean landscaping in the front yard. Focus your efforts around the walkway and front door for maximum impact. Think about creating curved garden areas rather than straight lines for visual interest. Be sure to intersperse some evergreen plants for color and texture during all seasons of the year.
Play With Florals. Flowers can light up any space. Add some blooming container plants to anchor plants to anchor the front entrance or walkway areas. Be sure to coordinate the colors with the rest of your garden, and remember that containers usually need more water than bedding plants because they dry out more quickly.
Garden With Window Boxes. Window boxes are a simple and seamless way to add color and charm to your home. For visual appeal, be sure to plant some trailing plants as well as a variety of colors and textures in the boxes.
Consider Shutters For Your Windows. If your front windows don’t have shutters, consider adding some that complement your home’s style. Paint or stain the shutters to match or to contrast well with the exterior wall, trim, and door color. Visit your local home or lumber store to see styles and material options.
Install New Outdoor Lighting. Exterior light fixtures can add to or detract from your home’s curb appeal. If your exterior light fixtures are old, damaged, or dated, consider enhancing your yard with outdoor lighting. Make sure the type of light fixtures you choose are in keeping with your home’s architecture and scale. If you don’t want to purchase new ones, consider cleaning and painting the ones you have. You can also add landscape lighting to enhance your home’s evening curb appeal.
