10 Ways You're Ruining Your Home's Curb Appeal & 10 Simple Ways To Enhance It
Is Your Home Making A Great First Impression?
No matter how beautiful the inside of your house is, your home's exterior is the first thing people see. Without a great curb appeal, potential buyers won't bother to step in the door. You don't have to be selling your house to enhance its curb appeal, though. With just a few simple changes, your guests will feel more warmly welcomed, and your house could be the head-turner on the block. Here are 10 ways you're ruining your home's curb appeal and 10 ways to enhance it.
1. Poor Lighting
Your front yard's lighting is an easy thing to overlook, but it can make a big difference to the overall ambiance of a space. When was the last time you looked at your house from the outside after nightfall? Burnt-out bulbs or ugly fluorescent lighting aren't doing your home any favors.
2. Outdated Address Numbers
Something as simple as the way your house number is displayed can change your home's curb appeal dramatically. Many of us don't think to change the numbers we bought our house with, letting them show your home's age.
3. Crowded Front Porch
While it's nice to have some carefully-selected items on your front porch, it can get out of hand far too quickly if you're not careful. Crowding your porch with trinkets and furniture gives it an overwhelming and even uninviting appearance.
4. Neglecting Landscaping
The easiest mistake to make also has the largest impact. Whether it's an unkempt lawn, un-pruned bushes, or weeds disrupting the walkway, neglecting landscaping makes your home look messy and uncared for.
5. Poor Color Choices
It doesn't matter how recently you repainted if the colors you chose clash. Be careful when selecting colors and remember to keep it simple.
6. Weather Stains
Weather stains on your home can be anything from splotchy mold and mildew to dirt and hard water stains. Although it's normal for your house to accumulate these things, it makes your home look unkempt and dirty if you neglect to clean them off.
Andrew Patrick Photo on Pexels
7. Cracked Steps Or Pathway
Unfortunately, this one is a little bit harder to fix. The best way to avoid cracked steps or walkways, which can make your home look messy and even dangerous to enter, is to make sure your yard is well-manicured.
8. Dirty Windows
This one may seem obvious, but it's a small task that's easy to forget. However, dirty windows can ruin your home's curb appeal, even if everything else looks spic and span.
9. Old Paint
Old paint makes your house look decrepit and derelict and can take thousands off the resale price. When paint starts to peel, it also means your house is losing that extra layer of protection, so make sure to invest in regular paint jobs.
10. Neglected Roof
It's a big job that's easy to put off, but the more you do, the worse it gets. The roof is not only important for the integrity of your home, but it also impacts your home's aesthetic.
Now that we've talked about the things that destroy your home's curb appeal, let's talk about some simple things you can do to make it a head-turner.
1. Upgrade Your Mailbox
People don't often think about their mailbox as having an impact on a home's aesthetic, but it does. Upgrading your mailbox to something modern and handsome, as long as it's in keeping with the rest of the house, is an easy way to add some eye candy to your front lawn.
2. Paint Your Front Door
Have you ever taken a stroll a noticed a particularly handsome home with a brightly-colored door? Do you think the house would've caught your eye if not for that door? Consider incorporating this into your home by painting your door a bold but sophisticated color.
3. Replace & Add Plants
Evaluate the plants in your front lawn and replace any that appear sick, dead, or dying. Add plants if your yard looks sparse, taking care to choose ones that are appropriate for the environment.
4. Keep Your Lawn Well-Maintained
Whether you make a Sunday morning habit of it or you pay the neighbor's kids to mow the grass, keeping your lawn well-maintained is key to making your home look beautiful.
5. Consider Window Boxes & Shutters
If you think it's appropriate for your home, consider adding window boxes or shutters. These things can beautify your home and add some extra splashes of color.
6. Pressure Wash Your Driveway
It's amazing the amount of grime your driveway accumulates right under your nose, but because you see it every day you don't necessarily notice. Giving your driveway a good wash makes your home look fresh and new.
7. Install Outdoor Lighting
We can't stress enough how much of a difference good lighting can make to the exterior of your home. Choose warm-colored bulbs with a soft glow.
8. Add Exterior Furniture
If you have a spacious front yard, consider adding tastefully-chosen exterior furniture like an inviting bench. Be careful not to overdo it and leave your house looking busy, though.
Francesca Tosolini on Unsplash
9. Define Walkways
Define your walkway with a short, decorative fence or with shrubs and other landscaping to lead the viewer's eye and make your property pop. A well-defined walkway beckons visitors in and adds tons of visual appeal.
10. Landscape
Adding curb appeal isn't about randomly placing plants until it looks good. Landscaping is an art that involves strategically laying out your garden to enhance the look of your property. It can upgrade your tired old lawn into a jaw-dropping oasis.
