Whether you’re trying to sell your home or simply want to freshen it up, there a lot of simple ways you can give your home’s curb appeal a boost. Make sure your home is making a good first impression with these easy and cheap ways to spruce up your home’s exterior.
1. Upgrade the Hardware
if you have an older house, upgrading lights, doorknob, address numbers etc. can help your curb appeal tremendously. While these may seem like minor changes, these fixtures usually see years of neglect, so updating them will make your home seem new and well maintained.
2. Give your House a Bath
Get the years of accumulated dirt and grim off your house by power washing and cleaning out the gutters. Your house has taken a beating over the years collecting dirt, salt scum, debris etc. Give you siding, windows, and front and back porches a good power wash (you can rent powers washers at most hardware stores). They will be back to their original splendor and leave your house looking clean and new. Giving your gutters a good cleaning will also freshen up the look of your house. Remove any visible twigs or leave so your house looks trim and tidy.
3. Revive Dead Spots
Dead spots on your lawn can be a serious eye sore. Try replanting grass in those areas. Or, if the dead spots are around a tree or bush, simply add flowers or mulch around it to cover the spot.
4. Trim Flowers, Shrubs, and Trees
Make sure that your existing flora looks clean and presentable. Pull the weeds from your flowerbeds and trim and any out of place branches from your shrubs and trees. Another important tip is to make sure your house is fully visible from the street. If there are any tall bushes or trees blocking the view of your home, trim these back so that drivers by can fully see your house from their cars.
5. Plant in Containers
A good, quick way to add color and life to your yard is by using container plants instead of trying to plant flowers in the ground. Containers provide beautiful flowers instantly, without having to go through the hassle of planting seeds or attempting to keep flowers alive in your beds. They also give you the opportunity to add flowers to your yard if it is too cold to plant any in the ground. You can place containers on your front porch, steps, or even use window beds.
6. Redo the Front Door
The front door is a focal point of your home. Freshen it up a little bit with a new coat of paint. If you want a door that really pops, pick a bright bold color that instantly draws eyes to your home. Your door and front porch design should reflect the style of your home, so pick a color that complements what people will see when the walk inside.
7. Clean up the Trim
After washing all of the siding, look around to see if there are any areas that need some special attention. You may have to remove any cracked or rotting areas, or repaint. If you want to add some personality, think about adding colorful trim or shingles.
8. Smooth Out the Driveway
Another major focal point of the exterior is the driveway. If your driveway is cracked and broken, don’t take any drastic majors, simply fill in the cracks and make the top layer smooth. You don’t want a cracked ugly driveway taking away from the rest of the house.
About the Author
Evan Wright works to boost the curb appeal for clients located in the Twin Cities. For additions and remodeling work he uses SCC Kitchen Bath & Home. When it comes to landscaping and exterior design, he uses Dean Bjorkstrand Inc. Good luck and thanks for reading!