Don’t judge by its cover, right? But when it comes to your home, neighbors, passersby, and guests are easy to write it off once they see how unkempt it is from the outside. That’s why it matters to improve and boost your home’s curb appeal. Whether you plan to sell it in the future or stay here for life, its curb appeal should matter to you. It increases the value of your property, and make it more appealing to your eyes, as well as that of your neighbors and guests. With a nice yard upfront, you can take pride in your property.
But before you create a paradise of flowers in your yard, think about how you’re going to use it first. For one, you need a driveway, so you have to call a concrete contractor for that. Once you have a nice space to park your car, you can start planning how to improve your property’s curb appeal.
Gardening
Even for the smallest of homes, a well-manicured lawn will give it so much extra appeal. Plant trees, shrubs, succulents, flowers, perennials, and herbs. You can choose the best plants to grow in the type of soil you have, as well as the weather condition in your area. Boost that garden with some pebbles, hanging baskets on the porch, and grass seed on dead areas of the lawn. You can get these materials from a local garden store. They cost less than $100.
Not only is a garden such a nice yard look, but gardening is a hobby you can get behind. It makes you forget about what’s been happening around the world. It is also a full-body exercise without you realizing it. Do you know that 30 to 40 minutes of gardening can burn up to 300 calories? That’s equal to 30 minutes on the treadmill.
Exterior Paint
When was the last time you painted your home’s exterior? You are so focused on its interior appeal that the paint outside is peeling and cracking. This is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to transform your home and improve its curb appeal. You can choose a bold color to make it stand out from the rest of the houses in your row. However, make sure that the homeowners’ association (if applicable) approves of the color you choose.
When repainting your house’s exterior, choose a contrasting color for the shutters, doors, and trim. You can choose a loud color for the main door if the rest of the house is painted in neutrals. You can paint it in bright red or forest green or navy blue. A gallon of paint costs only $25, so prepare to spend around $150, including the paintbrushes and painter’s tape.
Plant a Tree
If you have enough space in front of your house, plant a tree or a couple of trees to frame your entryway. Just make sure the trees’ roots are not encroaching on your neighbor’s property because you might face a lawsuit for that. A tree is a welcome sight for guests and even potential buyers. It adds character to a home. Unless fully grown, a tree can cost $50 each. You’ll have to wait a year or two for it to grow, but it’s well worth it.
Add Lights
There is nothing more unappealing than a dark entryway. Add lights to your yard not only for safety and security but to improve your home’s curb appeal, too. Use porch lights for the front door, and install uplighting or downlighting to highlight the landscape’s features. You can also install moonlighting around the trees to create a soft and romantic feel. String lights around the branches are great all-year-round. They’re not just for the holidays.
Keep It Clean
You might not have enough budget right now to start a nice garden or plant a tree or add accent lighting. But surely, you can clean the yard off debris, dirt, and dust. All you need is a broom and rake for fallen dried leaves. As for your home’s exterior, use a pressure washer to remove the grime that clings to your walls. Use that same washer for the gutter, patio, garage door, sidewalk, and other areas of your property.
Learning to improve and maintain your home’s curb appeal is part of your responsibilities as a homeowner. Find time to do it on weekends. Your home’s curb appeal is a reflection of your ownership, so don’t let others think wrongly of your ability to maintain your property. It will affect the value of your home and your ability to sell it in the future.
