Are you planning to sell your home soon? Or maybe you’re ready for a change and want to give your home a fresh look. Either way, there are some home improvements you can do to boost your home’s curb appeal.
By improving your home’s curb appeal, you can make a big difference in how it looks from the street. And, as they say, first impressions are everything. So, what are some of the best ways to improve your home’s curb appeal?
Here are five ideas to get you started:
1. Install New Lighting
Lighting is important for both curb appeal and safety. Old, outdated lighting fixtures can make your home look dated. On the other hand, new lighting can give it a modern touch. Plus, well-lit walkways and entryways make your home safer and more inviting.
When choosing new lighting fixtures, go for something that complements the style of your home. For example, try using fixtures with clean lines and simple details if you have a craftsman-style home. Or, if your home is more traditional, go for fixtures with a more ornate look.
Whatever style you choose, ensure the fixtures are in good working order and that you install them properly. Don’t forget to choose energy-efficient bulbs to help save money on your energy bill.
2. Replace Your Garage Door
Your garage door takes up a large percentage of your home’s exterior. It can drag down your home’s curb appeal if it doesn’t look nice. If your garage door is old and outdated, consider replacing it with a new one.
There are many styles of garage doors to choose from. You can go for a classic wood door, a modern steel door, or even an insulated door. The style you choose should complement the style of your home.
When shopping for a new garage door, compare quality from multiple retailers. Find a residential garage door company with an excellent track record that offers different types of sectional garage doors and provides a warranty on their products. You can even find one that offers free quotes online to help you compare prices.
3. Paint or Stain Your Front Door
People usually zoom in on your front door when looking at houses simply because it’s the main point of entry. If your front door is old, faded, or just plain ugly, it can affect your home’s curb appeal.
Consider giving your front door a new paint job or stain. Choose a color that compliments the exterior of your home. If you have a brick home, for example, you might want to choose a red or orange color. For a white or cream-colored home, try blue or green.
Be sure to prep your door before painting or staining. This includes sanding any rough spots and cleaning the door with soapy water. You can start adding a new coat of paint or stain and let it dry completely.
You can even add some new hardware to give it a fresh look. Just be sure to find colors and finishes that complement each other.
4. Pressure Wash Your Exterior Surfaces
One of the quickest and easiest ways to improve curb appeal is to pressure wash your exterior surfaces. This includes your siding, patio, driveway, and sidewalks. This will remove dirt, grime, pollen, and other build-ups that accumulate over time.
Pressure washing is also easy to brighten up faded siding or brickwork without replacing anything. And best of all? It’s usually relatively inexpensive, even if you choose to do it yourself or hire the pros. Just be careful not to damage delicate surfaces like windows while pressure washing!
5. Add Landscaping
Landscaping can make a huge difference in how your home looks from the street. If you have bare patches of grass or dying plants, now is the time to replant them or add new ones. You might also consider installing pavers or stone paths leading up to your front door. And don’t forget about trees!
Big, leafy trees provide shade and help keep your home cool in the summer months (not to mention they look pretty). Just make sure not to plant them too close to your foundation or sewer lines, so you don’t have problems down the road. You can call your local utility company to find out where these lines are before you start planting.
Overgrown trees can block views of your home and make it look smaller than it really is. If trees are starting to crowd your house, consider trimming trees or removing them altogether. This will open up your home and make it look more inviting from the street.
These five projects are worth splurging on if you want to improve curb appeal. No matter your reasons for boosting curb appeal, these projects will help increase its value and make it more attractive from the street (not to mention safer).