Your home’s curb appeal gives the first impression of what’s inside. By simply adding a few upgrades to your house, it will be easier to sell when the time comes, and in the meantime, you’ll enjoy pride of ownership. Check out these simple, low-cost curb appeal improvements that you can do in a day, a week, or a month.
Paint the front door. A freshly painted front door will brighten your home’s entry. Select a vivid, bold color that coordinates with the other colors of your house. Make sure to prep all the surfaces prior to painting, so your results are great and enduring.
Plant a tree, or two or three… Established and groomed trees, shrubs and plants will make a great impression. Start small with a few fast-growing trees or flowering trees (see sidebar). Water them adequately in the first year or two, then fertilize seasonally. Trees will increase your property value, reduce your utility bill, and improve air quality.
Upgrade hardware. Your house numbers, entry door handle and lockset, wall-mounted mailbox, and overhead/front door light fixture are all elements that boost exterior appeal. Outdated or dingy fixtures will detract from the beauty of your home’s aesthetic. Select pieces as a set, rather than mixed-and-matched.
Install window boxes
Window boxes bring color and charm to your home’s façade. Choose boxes made from copper, iron, or painted wood to match the style and architecture of your home. Mix and match flowers and plants to suit your lighting conditions and seasonal colors.
Coordinate colors. A couple of cans of paint will work wonders, and coordinating your home’s colors will enhance and refine its curb appeal. Whether you use paint or stain, synchronize and harmonize the architectural features (front door, shutters, trim, railing, posts and garage door), and limit the color palette to two or three colors. Using more will detract and make things too busy. Matching the colors isn’t even necessary. For example, pick one trim color then do a lighter or darker shade for the second color. Another common approach is to have the siding and main trim color be similar in tone, then add a bold accent color on the front door.
Create symmetry. Symmetrical light fixtures and front-door accents make your entryway welcoming and boost curb appeal. Flank your front door with sconces or tall, narrow planters. Match the items with your hardware and any porch furniture.
Install shutters. If your home lacks shutters, hanging a few (at least on the front) will heighten the symmetry and personality of your home’s façade. Shutter height should be the same as the window trim. For non-functioning shutters, the width should be between 25-50 percent of window’s width, unless the window is a wide picture window. Vinyl shutters start at about $50 a pair. Real wood shutters are more expensive but can sometimes be found at architectural salvage shops. Those usually require a little elbow grease to paint or refinish them to match your home’s color palette. Install your new shutters with French cleats, so you can easily pop them off to clean them.
Install outdoor lights. Create a big impact to your curb appeal and increase your home’s security by installing low-voltage landscape lighting. Add fixtures to trees, highlight architectural elements, or illuminate a walking path. For the best effect, utilize a variety of types. If wired lights aren’t an option, consider solar fixtures.
Makeover your mailbox. Update your mailbox with something fresh and new. It’s super easy, inexpensive, and will make a noticeable difference in your home’s curb appeal.
Upgrade house numbers. If you are like most people, unless your home is new, then the house numbers may be diminishing the curb appeal of your home. Upgrading your house numbers will easily and economically give your home a lift. Purchase some new numbers or DIY your own display. If your numbers are on the house, then match the new numbers with the finish of your exterior light fixtures. Simple house numbers can start at $2 per number; customized plaques can cost $50 – $100.
Clean your gutters. Clean the inside and outside of gutters, clearing debris and scrubbing until they’re as good as new. With a bit of elbow grease, the effect will be a pleasing and lasting one.
Clean and pressure wash.
Give your home’s exterior a good shine and polish to freshen the look. You can hire a professional or you can D-I-Y. Rent a pressure washer and rid the driveway, walkways, fences, gutters, siding and even patio furniture of the grunge that’s built up. On the driveway, use a little degreaser to get out those pesky oil stains before pressure washing. Remember to start with the least powerful setting and nozzle to make sure you don’t damage any of your surfaces.
Take care of your lawn. Regularly care for your lawn by mowing, raking, and pulling weeds. Water and fertilize your grass and landscape on a schedule to prevent brown spots and dead plants.
More Trees, Please
Planting trees is a wonderful way to improve your home’s curb appeal. To help you narrow your options, have a look over this list of both fast-growing and flowering trees, all suitable for our landscape zone.
Fast-growing trees:
Crepe Myrtle
Emerald Green Arborvitae
Paper Birch
Dawn Redwood
Linden Tree
Sargent Cherry
Leyland Cypress
Lombardy Poplar
Eastern Redbud
Pin Oak
River Birch
Japanese Zelkova
Flowering trees:
Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’
‘Venus’ Dogwood (Cornus x ‘Venus’)
Hyperion Dogwood
‘Oklahoma’ Redbud (Cercis reniformis ‘Oklahoma’)
‘Ace Of Hearts’ Redbud
Higan Cherry (Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis Rosea’)
‘Dream Catcher’ Flowering Cherry
American Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus)
‘Evereste’ Crabapple (Malus ‘Evereste’)
Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
Saucer Magnolia
Japanese Horse Chestnut (Aesculus turbinata)
Red Horse Chestnut
Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria)
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
Early Bird Purple Crape Myrtle
Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus var. latifolia)
Seven-Son Flower (Heptacodium miconioides)
Flowering Almond
Serviceberry
Goldenrain Tree
Pear Tree
‘Newport’ Cherry Plum
‘Beauty’ Japanese Plum
