Have you ever considered the curb appeal of your home? Many people probably don't give it a second thought, and it is one of those areas of your home that you get so used to seeing in its current state that you don't even notice the issues.
Or maybe you have noticed them and are at a loss when it comes to improving the curb appeal of your home. But before we look at how you can improve your home's curb appeal, you need to fully understand what curb appeal means and why it is so important.
Curb appeal is how your home looks from the outside. From the curb outside your home, if you will. It is the first impression other people get from your home, and know that first impressions count. Your home looks from the outside will set the tone for how people think your home looks inside and potentially what condition it is in. It is human nature to make these connections, and everyone does. Even if the interior of your home is outstanding, failing to keep the exterior in a good state of repair will reflect poorly on what you have achieved inside.
Mostly, however, this is only important when it comes to selling your home. If a potential buyer isn't enamored from the first impression of your home, chances are they will be hesitant to look around the rest of the property and unable to see past any issues and first impressions the house has made on them. It could also lead to lower offers because the work buyers will see they need to change the exterior of your home.
Improving the exterior of your home can range from expensive to relatively cheap to fix up, depending on the work you want to do and what needs changing.
How can you improve the curb appeal of your home?
Structural Issues
Inspect the exterior of your home for any cracks in the walls indicating potential subsidence or damage to the material used. Blown brickwork, crumbling wood fascias, and chipped or damaged paintwork can make your home look and feel in poor condition. Identify any internal and external issues due to this damage and call in professionals to help you with bigger tasks such as underpinning a property to stop subsidence and prevent more cracks from appearing.
Remove any blockages from gutters or drains that could be causing dampness and mold and get rid of any weeds or plant life that is interfering with the structural integrity of your home.
Improving Paintwork or Adding Siding
A lick of paint can work wonders on the exterior of your home. Sand down any loose or chipped paintwork to give you a better finish, and make sure you carry out the work on consecutive dry days to dry fully and avoid any patchy finishes. Modern looks opt for whites and grey exteriors, but the color you chose should tie in with the rest of the decor on the interior of your home.
If you want to add a more impressive finish, adding siding to your exterior walls can help you to not only improve the curb appeal of your home but create a stunning new look that can add value to your home.
Windows and Doors
Repairing or replacing your existing windows and door can instantly change how your house looks, feels and how efficient it is. If you are noticing drafts or rising heating costs, it could be that heat is escaping your home via windows and doors, meaning they aren't working as they should be. Older style wooden windows can be subject to dampness and wood rot, especially if they have been neglected or have been on the property for a long time.
Update the frames by giving them new colors, changing the window dressing on the inside, or adding shutters for a more modern feel that is gaining popularity. If you need replacement windows and doors, contacting local companies such as sawindowsdoors.com can open up your options to replace your windows with those that are not only functional but can improve the curb appeal of your home.
Landscaping
Landscaping the front of your home can instantly change how appealing your home looks. Mowing overgrown lawns, adding in borders with colorful plants, preparing any fences, or giving them a fresh coat of paint can be fairly inexpensive yet impactful changes you can make. Trim back any bushes or shrubbery to open up space, and make sure you keep on top of maintenance to keep that curb appeal at maximum impact.
Fix any damage to pathways or drives and give them a good sweep and clean with a power washer to restore their former glory and leave them looking brand new.
Remove Clutter
Take a long hard look at how much stuff is visible on your property from the road. Then ask yourself how to make it look neater, from utilizing outdoor storage to moving excess outdoor toys and bikes to a garage if you have one. The same can be said for any greenery you have in any garden space. How well maintained is your garden, and does it create too much fuss in front of your home? All of these small factors can influence the first impression your home gives out.
Add Focal Points
Adding items where they want any before or changing out existing ones for more complimentary items can greatly impact how the front of your home looks. If you have a sweeping driveway that looks bare, consider adding in some well-placed pots with plants in or lighting such as lamp posts to give a focal point in the front of your home.
When adding focal points, the adage "less is more" definitely applies here, and you want to create a simple yet cohesive style instead of making it look too busy or cluttered. So choose one focal point, accessories, or area and really add some wow factor in an eye-catching yet understated way.
Lighting
Adding lighting to the outside of your home can be really impactful. Inexpensive solar sights on ground spikes can instantly define your lawn or pathway really easily after dark. Splash out a little bit more on hanging statement lights on either side of your front door or even add pebble lights to lose stone driveways to create soft lighting to direct people to your front door.
Door Dressings and Decking
If you have steps up to your front door, why not look at adding or replacing existing front porch areas to create an inviting space at the front of your home. Multi-layered decking can really define the front of your home if you have money to spend to define your exterior space.
As can creating low-level steps instead of a steeper option for easy access. If you don't have a porch or covered front door, canopies make a comeback and can really help you style out your front door. Choose a small canopy that fits exactly the width of your front door and allows you to add style and protection from the elements quite easily. They can be less intrusive than adding awning or gazebos type structures to the front of your home and are fairly inexpensive to buy and easy to attach to the wall around your door.
Remember, when making any changes to your home, the ultimate goal is to create an aesthetically pleasing space that compliments the interior of your home. Try to pick styles and decor that flow with your internal design and color schemes for a more impactful yet sophisticated look.
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