A lot goes into making sure your home has curb appeal—the landscaping, driveway, entryway, lawn and more all come together to paint the full picture. Whether you’ve got weeks or just an afternoon, here are a few things you can do to make sure your home makes a great first impression.
Major: Refresh the Facade
A fresh coat of paint or new siding can go a long way to improve the appearance of your home. Make sure you are doing basic maintenance regularly, such as addressing defects like cracks and rot. To add a little oomph to your home’s facade consider introducing elements like new trim or shutters.
Minor: Paint the Front Door
Catch the eyes of passers-by with a brightly painted door. When picking your color, make sure you look at it in natural light. If you pick it based on how it looks indoors, you’re not going to get an idea of the final look.
Major: Create a Front Garden
Colorful plantings are a surefire way to catch the eye of passersby. If you’re working with limited space, you can still add some impact. Consider placing planting beds at the front corners of the yard or along with the driveway or walkways. When planning a front garden, make sure it frames the features of your home instead of obscuring them. Also choose a variety of colors, textures and heights to create interest.
Minor: Plant a Tree
If you don’t have a lot of time to spend in the garden, a tree can add more impact with less effort. Small ornamental varieties, such as dogwood, redbud and Japanese maple can add more curb appeal without taking years to establish and grow.
Major: Slope Your Landscaping
A retaining wall is a creative way to add an elevated look in sloped lawns. The various elevations of terraced gardens can not only enhance your yard’s aesthetic appeal, but they can aid in preventing erosion and make lawncare simpler—no more having to mow a steep incline!
Minor: Add Window Boxes
Flower boxes are a great way to add color to your home’s facade. They’re a fun alternative to containers and planters, and it’s a DIY project that will only take about an afternoon to install. And they aren’t limited to windows. You also can install them along porch railings. Just remember, they only help with curb appeal if you maintain them.
Major: Build a Walkway
A walkway will help welcome guests to your home. Think outside of straight lines, a contoured walkway of stone or brick can add a big boost of curb appeal. Brick pavers offer a classic look, while natural stone can create something a little more rustic. If you are working with an existing concrete path, you can install brick edging to give it a more refined look or try a colorful concrete stain if you’re looking for something more playful.
Minor: Makeover Your Mailbox
Personalized mailboxes have a bit of a kitschy reputation, but your options aren’t limited to bright colors or novelty shapes. If you have a wall-mounted box, you can go modern with something simple and understaded, or make a statement with something bold and vintage. If you’ve got a post-mounted box, consider adding plantings around it. Low maintenance plants and shrubs are an easy way to beautify the space
