If you own a residential property, you’ve probably heard this before – curb appeal is important. The appearance of the front exterior of a house has an immense impact on property value. If you’re looking to sell or rent the property, it has even more importance than strictly financial. The front of the home is the first impression for prospects; if you’re looking to secure a deal quickly then you want to entice prospects before they even step foot in the house. So, curb appeal upgrades are a smart investment to make, but how much do you need to invest?
There are actually a plethora of ways you can spruce up the exterior of a house without dropping hundreds of dollars. This list outlines curb appeal upgrades that are easy and shouldn’t cost more than about $100:
1. Potted plants
One of the simplest ways to brighten up the front of a home is to place potted plants. This will add greenery without the hassle of landscaping. Vary the sizes of pots and types of plants to add variety. Arrange plants on multiple levels for design balance, such as one at the bottom of the stairs (if there are any) and one by the door. Use smaller pots to accent larger pots or place them on railings.
2. Paint the front door
The typical go-to exterior upgrade is giving your front door a fresh coat of paint. This really works if the paint is starting to chip or look worn. A clean coat will help the front of the house look polished. If you want to add a little something extra, try painting the door in a fun, vibrant accent color, like a bright red or blue. This will help the entryway pop.
3. Accent windows
It’s important to give the front windows some TLC every now and then. If the window trim needs painting, give it a fresh coat. You could try using the same accent color as the door or go along with the color scheme. If the windows seem bare, install house shutters. You can also hang window boxes and fill them with plants and flowers.
4. Add lights
Curb appeal is important at night too – make sure the outside of the home is well lit after the sun goes down. Try lining any pathways or driveways with solar powered lights. You can add string lights, hanging lights, or decorative lamps to the porch around the seating area. Adding lights is not only an important part of curb appeal, but it improves safety, deterring burglars and preventing anyone from stumbling around in the dark.
5. Add an outdoor rug
Rugs probably take first place for the easiest upgrade. Simply put one down and watch the area transform. This is a great addition to any outdoor seating areas; it can bring softness to the patio and make the space more inviting. Experiment with colors and patterns to change the style of the home exterior.
6. Simple landscaping
If you’re ready for a little DIY project, you can try doing some of your own landscaping. Nothing too crazy, but this is one of the most effective curb appeal upgrades. Actually planting flowers will have a much greater impact than those potted plants. If you’re not sure where to start, create a clear curved pathway leading to the front door if there isn’t a path already. You can use pebbles and small stones, bricks, or larger rocks. Surround the path with mid-sized shrubs and flowers. The goal is to draw attention to the main walkway in a decorative way. Focus on groups of plants rather than individual ones – the value of filler plants should never be underestimated. Try adding other decor items like garden rocks for variety. Consider how you can decorate the edging of the landscaped area or any visible planters.
7. Refresh concrete
If you have any plain concrete driveways or sidewalks, it might be worth livening them up. Add a brick edging or apply a creative concrete stain to turn boring concrete into something more unique and exciting.
8. Restore asphalt
Similarly, if you have an asphalt driveway that needs restoring, you can actually do it yourself. Use asphalt patch to fill cracks and holes and apply a fresh sealer. This can really transform the look of the house.
9. Power wash surfaces
Once you discover the superpower that is powerwashing, you’ll never look back. You can rent a power washer from your local home improvement center. Try washing aluminum and vinyl siding, wooden decks, concrete pathways – pretty much anything. You might not even recognize the house when you’re finished.
10. Get matching hardware
This might seem like a negligible detail, but it can truly make a difference. Take a look at all of the metal hardware that is visible on the exterior of the house. This means address numbers, locksets, hinges, porch lights, and mailboxes. If it isn’t matching, then replace the cheapest ones to match the others. This keeps the look of the house consistent and can actually have a dramatic effect.