Picture this.
A shiny mailbox surrounded by some colorful Petunias.
A driveway lined with twinkling lights.
A house with white exteriors and a splendid red door.
Can there be anything more inviting?
That’s what curb appeal is all about.
According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) 2018 Remodeling Impact Report, among homeowners who take up curb appeal projects,
- 75% say they have a greater desire to be home since completing the project
- 59% say they have an increased sense of enjoyment when they are at home
- 63% say they feel a major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project
Whether you want to give your home exteriors a facelift, or you’re trying to fetch top dollar while selling it, here are 8 ways to improve your home’s curb appeal for $1000 or less.
- Spruce up your front yard with some trees
Imagine driving up to your home that has a stunning Autumn Blaze Maple with its gorgeous red leaves in the fall season.
Or a majestic Crape Myrtle tree with its beautiful purple flowers?
Pretty amazing, right?
Not only do trees instantly up your curb appeal, but they also improve air quality and are great stress-busters.
While choosing trees for your front yard, here are a few things to remember:
- Pick a few fast-growing ones
- Water them regularly in the first year
- Fertilize them in the fall and spring
A few trees for you to consider
| Tree | Cost per tree |
| Autumn Blaze Maple | $60 to $100 (4 to 5 feet)
|
| Quaking Aspen | $15 to $20 (2 to 3 feet) |
| Box Elder | $30 to $40 (3 to 4 feet)
|
Don’t have a green thumb? Engage a Plant Installation consultant.
From giving you plant recommendations to delivering your trees, planters, rocks, dirt, etc. these guys will provide Live Plant Solutions for all your needs.
1. Refresh your home’s color palette with window boxes
You can buy an easy-to-mount PVC window box from the store or make your own window box.
Tips for a great window box
- Paint the box to match the color scheme of your house.
- Choose a mix of flowers and plants in varied sizes, shapes, and textures. For instance, petunias, fuchsias, or begonias as the main flowers, ivy, and heather that cascade over and soften the edges of your box.
- If your window box is under direct sunlight, go for blooming annuals. But for shady areas, foliage plants are a better choice.
Estimated cost: $35-$250
2. Upgrade your house numbers with address planters
Pick up a few pots or planters. You could either paint your house numbers on them (one number per pot). Or buy plastic or bronze numbers to glue onto your pots.
Plant a few succulents or perennial flowers and place them at the entrance of your home or by the side of your driveway.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
| House numbers | $5 to $8 |
| Planters and pots | $10 -$100 (depending on the material, size, etc.)
|
3. Illuminate your walkway
Give your walkway that extra oomph by installing some solar lights (solar LEDs) alongside.
These lights are super easy to install as there isn’t any complex wiring involved.
Estimated cost: $50 (For a set of 8 solar landscape lights)
4. Install eye-catching porch lights
Make your home even more inviting with the right porch lighting.
Here are a few ideas for porch lighting
- Traditional lantern sconces for a cottage or colonial style porch
- Gooseneck barn lights for a farmhouse or country cabin
- Globe sconce lights for more contemporary exteriors
Pro tip: Choose copper or brass fixtures that are more corrosion-resistant than aluminum.
Estimated cost: $50 – $400
5. Make your front door pop
A beautifully painted front door can do wonders for your home.
Remember to choose a shade that complements the color scheme of your house.
For instance, a soft dove gray door for a white house.
Or a bright yellow door that offsets the gray exteriors.
Or even a whimsical pink door that pairs well with pale blue brick walls.
Estimated cost: $100 – $400
6. Show your mailbox some love
Your mailbox is probably the first thing that draws attention to your abode.
So if your mailbox looks like it has seen too many rough days, do yourself a favor and buy a new one.
Or if you want to spruce up your old mailbox, here are a few handy tips:
- Get rid of the ‘road grime’ using a sponge and some soapy water
- Dab your mailbox with a fresh coat of paint
- Personalize it with your address, house numbers, etc.
- If painting isn’t your thing, buy a few snazzy mailbox covers
Want your neighbors to drool over your mailbox? Then it’s time for some mailbox landscaping!
Here’s what you do:
- Place a ring of stones or bricks around the mailbox post
- Fill it up with soil and mulch
- Plant a few annual or perennial flowers
A few great “mailbox flowers” you could consider are ‘Purple Wave’ Petunia, Snapdragon, Zinnia, and Rosemary to name a few.
| Item | Estimated cost |
| New mailbox | $25 to $100 |
| Repainting a mailbox | $10 |
| Mailbox covers | $15 to $20 |
| Mailbox landscaping | $50 – $250 |
7. Bedeck your garage door
A little bit of attention to your garage door can go a long way in boosting your home’s curb appeal.
8. Paint it
Choose a paint shade that is slightly lighter, darker, or brighter than the rest of your home.
Neutral colors like white, brown, or gray are your safest bet.
Pro tip: Check with your hardware store about whether you would need to paint your garage door with some primer first.
Estimated cost: $25 to $80 per gallon of paint, depending on type and brand.
9. Accessorize it
Make your garage door stand out with some magnetic or temporary decorative hardware.
These could be anything from faux hinges and faux window panels to handles and hasps.
Estimated cost: $20 to $40
To sum it up…
Plant some trees in your yard, add a few touches to your front door, garage door, and mailbox, install window boxes, and voilà!
You’ve just improved your home’s curb appeal with less than $1000!
Sources:
- https://homebuyer.com/learn/curb-appeal-ideas#Window-ideas
- https://howtobuildit.org/curb-appeal-on-a-budget/#Paint_Utility_Boxes
- https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/16-ways-to-add-curb-appeal-for-less-than-50/
- https://www.greengoldlandscapinginc.com/10-curb-appeal-landscaping-ideas/
- https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/landscaping-and-hardscaping/instant-curb-appeal-for-less-than-100-dollars-pictures
- https://theclose.com/curb-appeal-ideas/
- https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/home-improvement/curb-appeal-ideas
- https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/curb-appeal-improvements-guaranteed-to-increase-the-value-of-your-home-1925901/#
- https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/outdoor-spaces/best-outdoor-sconces
- https://www.suburbia-unwrapped.com/how-to-spruce-up-your-mailbox/
- https://www.bankogaragedoors.com/blog/how-to-improve-curb-appeal-with-your-garage-door/
