Take Your Curb Appeal to New Heights With These 5 Tips
As the weather heats up (at least up here in the northern hemisphere) and people are spending more time outside, it’s time to make your home look great from curbside – like this Artisan Home Tour beauty from 2014 by Hartman Homes. Here are some great tips from our guest blogger Savannah Hemmings.
A few simple changes to the front of your home can make a dramatic difference, regardless of whether you want to sell or simply wow your neighbors and passersby. Most of these simple changes will only take a weekend, so get ready to discover how to kick your curb appeal up a notch.
Spruce Up Your Entryway
You can do a few things to make your entryway beautiful and inviting. Two of the easiest ways to do that are changing hardware and adding furniture.
You may not pay much attention to the old hardware on your door, outdoor lights and railings, but when you replace them, you’ll notice how they can change the entire look of your entryway. You don’t have to do anything too dramatic, like going from brass to wrought iron, but opting for newer hardware can significantly change the look of your home’s exterior.
Outdoor furniture makes your home more inviting. When people see your home, they will view it as a place to relax because you have something to sit on as soon as they approach. While they may never have a seat, it’s nice to have the option there.
Get a Green Thumb
Flowers can turn a drab house into a beautiful one. Place floral arrangements on each side of your front door, near your mailbox and in between bushes. Don’t go overboard. Put some color splashes in a few places to make your yard come alive.
You can take it a step further by installing window boxes. Place some bright-colored flowers in the boxes and people will immediately notice the loveliness of your home.
If you have room, consider adding a water element to your yard. There’s nothing more serene than a pond with a waterfall. People will love the sound and feel as though they’re entering an oasis when they visit your home. With today’s off-the-shelf fountains, its easy to add the calming sounds of moving water to almost any space.
Add Yard Art
Yard art can bring character to your front yard. You can add sculptures, a bird bath, fountain, wind chimes or anything else that you think will look nice. Choose art that complements your personality. People who know you will appreciate that your yard reflects you. People who don’t know yet know you will enjoy getting to know you by admiring your art. Just like with flowers, don’t go overboard with this because you can turn the effects of yard art from “wow” to “yikes.” Add a couple of pieces, then see how you like them. If you have a larger yard, maybe a third may be okay. Remember that keeping it simple will have a better effect.
Make Repairs as Needed
While you may not think that people can see the missing shingles, fallen gutters or peeled paint from your shutters, it’s quite possible they do. You can make your home look brand new again simply by repairing the roof as soon as you see any problems. This can also save you a lot of money in the long term because minor issues can turn into big ones. Repairing the gutters and repainting the shutters are good ideas, too.
Annually inspecting your home’s exterior can help you catch many minor problems before they become major problems and help your home maintain its condition over time. (Editors Note: Check out our Home Maintenance Resource Page for links to checklists that can help you maintain your home.)
Paint Your House
A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for a home that hasn’t been repainted in several years. You may want to consider a different color if you’re looking to sell or simply want a new look. (Editors Note: use our Personal Designer tool to try out color combinations that might work for your home like two versions of the same home by Zawadski Homes from our 2014 Fall Parade of Homes.)
If you have vinyl siding that’s showing its age, consider replacing it. Many people do so after several years because of weather damage and general wear and tear that comes with age. While this can be an expense, it’s one that’s worthwhile if you want to drastically improve your home’s curb appeal.
Carefully consider the colors you choose for your home. Neutral colors work best if you’re going to put your house on the market. Most people want to buy homes that are cream, taupe, nautical blue, yellow or gray.
For something that’s not so dramatic, consider only painting the trim of your home. Even if you keep it the same color, the newness of the paint will make your home stand out more.
Spring Has Sprung – Give Your Home a New Look
Spring is now here, so it’s the perfect time to head outdoors and start making changes. If you can’t do them yourself, consider hiring someone. The money you invest in improving your curb appeal will be highly worth it. (Editors Note: You can find Twin Cities area handyman services by using our Remodeler Search, then click on the Projects filter and look for Handyman Services).