They say making a positive first impression matters, which is especially true for the exterior of your home. Referred to in real estate circles as curb appeal, the attractiveness of the exterior of your home goes a long way towards increasing the value of your home.
So, how do you enhance the curb appeal of your home? The answer lies in implementing one or more of the following home makeover tips. These are all relatively easy projects to complete that will not deplete your home improvement budget.
Make the Front Door Shine
Not in the glossy sense, but by adding a coat of paint that attracts the attention of everyone that passes by your home. Tal Hassid, of ETO Doors, recommends painting your wood front door to maintain the aesthetic as well as insure a long life. Painting the front door should cost no more than $75 at most, and it will create a bolder, yet refined statement for the rest of your house. Using a bright color should convey a theme of warmth, without going over the top in changing the décor motif. You can hang a wreath that works stylishly well not just around the winter holiday season, but for the rest of the year as well. A new door knocker should make for a noticeable upgrade that guests notice when they summon you to the front door.
Use Your Green Thumb
One of the most effective ways to boost the curb appeal of your home involves integrating some flowers and greenery to the front of your home. You do not have to dedicate time to planting and maintaining a garden; all you have to do is install a few outdoor planters and/or window boxes that become home to plants and flowers that thrive in the climate where you live. Plants and flowers can complement the design theme of the front of your home or stand out as the primary design element that increases the value of your home. Cliff Bressler, owner at Nature’s Friends, recommends focusing on the walkway and front of house as a priority.
Light Up the Sky
Curb appeal is not just for the time of the day when the sun shines brightly overhead. It also is an important factor for increasing the value of your home at night. Hang a new scone or a new pendant by the front door to accentuate the most visually appealing design element of your house. Make sure to clean off the dust and the debris that has collected on light fixtures to maximize the amount of illumination projected by the current lighting system. Another bright idea is to hang string lights across the front of your home to convey a cleaner and brighter look.
Perform Minor Repairs
From a ripped front door screen to chipped paint on a window shutter, minor flaws in the appearance of your home can diminish the value of the entire property. Even the slightest visual flaw can detract from the appearance of your home. The flaws do not have to be noticed from the curb. Anyone that reaches the front door can see a burned out bulb or scratches on the siding. All it takes is a little time on a Saturday to complete minor home repairs.
More Power to You
For the big job of cleaning the exterior of your home, look no further than renting a high performance power washer. As one of the easiest and quickest home improvement projects, using a power washer to clean the porch, siding, driveway, and driveway should make your home look like it did when you first moved into it. You can rent a quality power washer at a big box retailer home improvement retailer such as Lowe’s or The Home Depot.
Sculpt a Walkway Masterpiece
How visitors to your home view it often comes down to what they see when they walk up to the front door. Creating a well-defined path to the front door is one thing; creating a beautiful walkway to the front door is quite another thing. This is the one home makeover tip that might require the services of a home improvement contractor.
Less is More for Furniture
Placing too many pieces of furniture at the front of your home can make it look cluttered. Conversely, leaving the front of your home empty of furniture can make it look austere. All you have to do is add a couple of visually attractive chairs or a swinging couch to add a little panache to the front of your home.
Mailbox Do Over
We typically pay little attention to the mailbox, except during the afternoon ritual when we open it to retrieve our mail. However, turning your mailbox into a point of visual distinction can increase the curb appeal of your home. You can also change out an antiquated mailbox for one that exudes contemporary style.
As they say, it is the little things in life that make a difference. Apply that principle for a home makeover, and you should benefit from an improvement in curb appeal.
