Up Your Home’s Curb Appeal

by | Apr 28, 2020 | Uncategorized

22 Projects to Up Your Curb Appeal While You’re Stuck at Home This Spring

Every homeowner knows the joy (or, in some cases, agony) of showing up to their home after a long day at work and seeing it as the rest of the world does. This “first impression” of your home is known as its curb appeal, and perhaps unsurprisingly, it can have a big impact on your home’s value.  Your home’s curb appeal can add between three and five percent to its value, as long as your exterior is in good shape.  The better that first impression goes, the more likely potential buyers are to put in an offer on your place. So how do you make sure your home’s curb appeal is up to snuff? “It’s not about doing one big project to increase curb appeal, but rather a number of small projects that can showcase the pride in ownership.  

Here are 22 ideas (both big and small) that you can get started on this spring to try and maximize your home’s curb appeal:

 

1. Update fixtures and hardware

Don’t underestimate the difference new fixtures and hardware can make. Swapping outdated lighting, or well-worn door knobs and hinges, can give your home an instant facelift (without lifting too much out of your wallet). Shops like Rejuvenation and MyKnobs.com offer unique options that can be ordered online. It’s also worth phoning your locally owned hardware store to see if you can coordinate a pick-up order.  

2. Fix your gutters

This isn’t just an aesthetic problem: Broken, drooping, and clogged gutters can present a structural problem to your home as well. Make sure that all the rain gutters on your house are set to the proper pitch (away from your house and angled towards your down spout), are firmly attached (check the brackets that secure them to your roof to ensure they’re not pulling away) and that they’re free of debris. If that sounds like more work than you’re willing to put in every spring, consider installing gutter guards. The higher-end pieces (not the ones you get at your local home improvement store, but the ones that professional contractors install) can increase the resale value of your home further.

3. Mow your lawn

It seems simple enough, but keeping on top of your routine lawn maintenance can make a big difference. Regularly care for your lawn by mowing the grass, raking off leaves, and pulling weeds. Prospective buyers want to see consistency—not an overgrown lawn one week and a perfectly manicured one the next.  

4. Throw down a new welcome mat

A fresh welcome mat may only cost you a few bucks, but it’ll elevate your entryway, making it appear more cared-for and more welcoming. You can splurge on a high-end version, but even a cheaper mat will do as long as it’s clean and in good shape. In our mystery makeover series, you can see how blogger Chelsea Foy transformed a humdrum brown welcome mat into a one-of-a-kind piece for $50.  

5. Upgrade your shutters

It’s often a forgotten feature—especially when they’re more decorative than functional—but if your house has shutters, you should take care to show they’re in tip-top shape. That could mean a fresh coat of paint for weather-worn plastic ones, or repairing cracks and water damage in wooden ones. Just beware, darkly colored shutters are a haven for wasp nests, so don’t get stung!

6. Water your plants

That goes for your shrubs, your grass, and even your flowers. Vibrant green yards will always look better than ones that have brown spots on the lawn or dying plants in the garden  

7. Slap on a fresh coat of paint

Touch up your front door, your mailbox, your fence post, and the trim around your windows. Basically, touch up anywhere your paint is looking worse for wear.  
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8. Up your garden’s ‘wow factor’

You don’t need to spend a lot of money refilling your garden bed with expensive plants and shrubs, but you can splurge on a few fancy ones that’ll make a big difference for your garden’s ambiance. Before splurging, make sure you check that the plants you’ve picked will do well in the natural lighting, soil, and drainage that your home already has.

9. Let there be light

Adding lighting where none exists can do two things: Illuminate the positives (like all those new flowers you just spent your entire weekend planting) and increase your security. Both will thrill any prospective buyers. Slachta says shining a light on your yard is easier than ever thanks to solar powered LED lights. “With this option you don’t need to spend time or money digging trenches and hooking up wires,” he says. “String lights around the top of the porch, install post lights to highlight walkways and natural areas, or even a put up security light or two to make buyers feel safe.”