When it comes to curb appeal, first impressions matter. We are here as your local real estate experts to give you quick and affordable ways to enhance your front yard that will make your neighbors think you have it all together.
Adding a few upgrades to the exterior of your home not only makes it easier when it comes time to sell but also creates a more welcoming home. Here are our top five tips to boost your curb appeal without breaking the bank. There is no better feeling than pulling into your driveway and being greeted with blooming flowers in your window boxes, a new coat of paint on your front door, and fresh landscaping.
Front Door Refresh:
Paint your front door a trendy color. If you are feeling bold and love a pop of color, Carlie’s favorite trending shade is a pastel pink.
If you are a neutral lover and going for a more modern look, Payton’s favorite color is a sage green.
Whatever color you choose, pick it from a few different paint swatches, and make sure to take a look at how they appear at different times of the day in different lighting to ensure the right color choice. You can easily pick up sample colors from your local hardware store and test out a few different options on your front door before committing to a color.
Once you decide on a color, typically it takes about one quart of paint for the exterior of a front door. Head over to True Value and take a look at some of the exterior glossy paint colors they offer.
Garage door refresh:
Garage doors, especially on smaller homes, take up a good amount of space on the front or side of the house. This is why we recommend a garage door touch-up from time to time.
A simple and modern way to update the look of your garage door is using a gel stain to mimic the look of a wooden garage door without spending thousands of dollars. Head over to Youtube for some DIY tutorials.
To add an extra touch there are faux magnetic garage door windows and hardware options that you can purchase to add some extra detail and give your garage an upgraded look.
Window shutters/boxes:
Another timeless option to give your home that “I have it all together“ look is adding window boxes and/or shutters to the window(s) on the front of your house. This is an inexpensive option that provides your home with a warm and welcoming touch while also adding dimension.
Whether you decide to go with a natural wood shutter or opt for a color to match your new trendy front door, shutters and window boxes add a great color contrast to draw interest to your home’s exterior. Our favorite low-maintenance plants to add to window boxes are evergreens: they are very self-sufficient and there is no need to replant them seasonally.
If window boxes don’t match the style you’re going for, consider adding some planters to your front porch.
Planters:
Plants breathe life into any area they occupy. When it comes to giving the outside of your house some TLC, nothing is easier and more satisfying than adding a pop of color to a space that may not have a lot of life.
When choosing what to fill your outdoor planters with, purchase plants that are native to your region. In case you are wanting to stay local, check out GE&B Nursery off 400th for a large selection of plants and shrubs to choose from.
While we think you should consider vivid colors such as pink, yellow, and/or red, it is more important that the color of the planter and flowers work together. It is great to mix flowers and greenery, but mix with careful consideration.
Weeding & Pressure Washing:
Over time, changing weather conditions and dirt that may accumulate on the surface of your driveway can degrade the aesthetic appeal of the exterior of your home. Pressure washing your driveway can be an effective cleaning method to restore your home’s beauty to its former glory.
If you are willing to put in some elbow grease, another simple and free way to improve your overall curb appeal is weeding! Weeding helps to improve the overall appearance and health of your garden and front yard.
