Are you looking to add more curb appeal to your home but aren’t sure how to do it?

Adding curb appeal isn’t just about improving appearances. The right amount of curb appeal can also attract more buyers to your home and increase your home’s resale value.

Plus, adding curb appeal to your home doesn’t always require a major renovation. There are projects of all sizes you can take on to add curb appeal to your property.

Read on if you want to learn how to add more curb appeal to your property.

1. Paint Your Front Door

Painting your front door is one of the easiest yet most striking ways to improve your home’s curb appeal. You can give your door a fresh coat of a neutral color, or, if you’re looking to stand out a bit, you can choose a bolder color for your door such as yellow or bright pink.

When painting your front door, remember to purchase mold-resistant and flexible paint, as your door will be exposed to nature’s elements. There are some all-in-one paint varieties you can purchase for your door, eliminating the need for primer.

You may also want to consider purchasing an oil-based paint, as this type of paint is more resistant to chipping, and it dries quickly.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when painting a door is painting it while it’s still attached. Before you begin painting your door, remove it from its hinges, and remove all of its hardware.

Because outdoor paint can take a while to dry, make sure you have a temporary replacement for sealing your entryway. You can either use a storm door or a piece of plywood to cover your entryway while the paint dries.

Also, keep in mind that if you have an old wooden door, you may need to sand it and prime it before you paint it. You’ll also want to repair any cracks before painting by filling them with caulk.

Before reattaching your door, make sure it’s completely dry.

2. Replace Old Hardware

Replacing small pieces of hardware around the exterior of your home can make a big difference. Here are some pieces of hardware you should consider replacing:

  • The entry door lockset
  • House numbers
  • Wall-mounted mailboxes
  • Doorknobs
  • Overhead light fixtures

Keep in mind that these elements have the most appeal when they look cohesive, so we suggest staying away from a mixing and matching approach. If you have a traditional home, consider hardware with an oil-bronzed finish. If your home is more contemporary, consider hardware with a brushed nickel finish.

3. Install a Window Box Planter

A window box planter is a quick and easy way to add some charm and color to the exterior of your home. When buying a planter box, make sure to opt for one that’s about 6 to 12 inches wider than the width of your window.

Also, make sure the window box you purchase has drainage holes. If it doesn’t have any drainage holes, you can drill them in. Without drainage holes, you could easily drown out your plants.

To install, all you need to do is line up the brackets with the window frame and drill them in. When shopping for plants for your window box, make sure to select ones based on lighting requirements. If your window box is south- or west-facing and gets over six hours of sun per day, consider marigolds, lavender, geraniums, petunias, succulents, or potato vine.

If you have a window box that is south- or west-facing but gets 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day, then consider planting impatiens, begonias, basil, ferns, or dusty miller.

Lastly, if your window box faces north or east and gets less than four hours of sun per day, consider

4. Create Symmetry

If you feel like your home’s exterior looks a little bit disheveled, then you may be in need of some symmetry. One of the best ways to add symmetry to the front of your home is through light fixtures.

For example, you can flank your front doors with two sidelights. Or, you can set out two large potted plants near the front steps. Another idea is to plant two rows of bushes in line with one another. While everything in your front yard doesn’t need to be symmetrical, touches of symmetry here and there will help create a more unified look.

5. Add Seating to Your Porch

There’s no way to make a porch cozier than with some outdoor seating. Not only does porch furniture make your home appear more inviting, but it also encourages your family to spend more time outside conversing with your neighbors.

Plus, there are all kinds of ways you can arrange your front porch seating to create the atmosphere you want. If you’re looking to create a cozy and classic atmosphere, we suggest setting out some rocking chairs.

If you have the space for it, face-to-face seating is a great option for families that plan to spend a lot of time outdoors.

6. Install Outdoor Lighting

Landscape lighting can help take your home’s curb appeal to a whole new level. Not only does lighting make a positive impact on the appearance of your home, but it can also help boost your home’s safety and security.

We suggest incorporating a variety of fixtures and lighting types for the best results. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when choosing landscape lighting:

  • Look at your yard and think about the features you want to highlight, whether it be a pond or a flower bed. Strategically-placed lighting will help show off these areas.
  • Add drama through lighting to areas that may not stand out during the daytime. A basic stone wall can take on a whole new personality with the right lighting.
  • Consider function. It can help to place light around stairs for the safety of those walking at night.

Additionally, you want to take time to consider the different types of lighting. Here are the most common types of landscape lighting:

Spotlights: Also known as floodlights, these lights come down in a direct beam that’s around 45 degrees. Spotlights are easy to aim and adjust, so they make it easy for you to highlight specific display points.

Inground Lighting: This type of lighting installs directly into the ground, and it’s usually circular-shaped. Inground lighting is great for heightening the sophistication and visibility of your yard features. These lights also help create drama and atmosphere in your yard. You can also use inground lights to light up your driveway for safer navigation.

Post Lights: Post lights are great for accenting the pathways to your home. They also help create an ambient tone without being too overpowering. These lights are also great for illuminating spaces in your yard that would otherwise get lost in the darkness.

Path Lights: Path lights are similar to post lights in that they create light markers in your yard. However, they’re shorter and smaller than post lights. For a nice, even glow, you should install your path lights about 14 inches high.

Hardscape Lights: Hardscape lights contain tiny brackets that are installed directly onto or into a structure.

Other types of lighting you may want to consider include pond lights, step lights, and deck lights.

7. Plant a Tree

Planting a tree is one of the most common ways to add curb appeal to a home. Before you choose a tree to plant, consider how big it will get and how its growth will affect your home.

If you have the space for it, plant a tree on either side of your home to frame the entryway. When planting a tree, choose a space that’s 15 to 20 feet away from the house, as this will give it plenty of room to grow.

You also need to plant the tree with the sun in mind. Will the tree provide shade to your home during the summer, or will it block out the winter sun? Also, will a large tree block the sun for vegetable gardens and flower beds?

Answering these questions will help you decide the best placement for your tree. With all of that in mind, here are some of the best trees to consider for your front yard:

  • Sun valley maple
  • Red buckeye
  • Minnesota strain redbud
  • Crape myrtle
  • American holly
  • Pineapple guava
  • Persimmon
  • Redleaf Japanese maple

You may also want to consider smoke trees or evergreen trees.

8. Keep Your Lawn Manicured

Manicuring your lawn can add some instant curb appeal to your home. Sometimes, all you need to do is get the lawnmower out and conquer the weeds to turn the look of your yard around.

If you’re in a rush to green your lawn because you have an open house coming up, you can spray it with some green lawn spray paint that’s specially formulated for grass. This spray paint is nontoxic and environmentally safe.

If you’re not comfortable spraying your lawn yourself, you can hire a professional to do it. Here are some other tips for a well-manicured lawn:

  • Keep your lawnmower blades sharp
  • Change your pattern when mowing your lawn to prevent flattening and crushing certain areas
  • Cut your lawn on a weekly basis
  • Never trim more than one-third of the grass blade

Also, use a sharpened spade around the bed line to trim away any unwanted sod.

9. Add Shutters or Accent Trim

Shutters and accent trim can add a welcoming layer of beauty to your home’s exterior. House shutters add an extra layer of security to your home, and they also help control ventilation and lighting.

When choosing exterior window shutters, one of the biggest things you need to keep in mind is the material. Exterior window shutters come in wood, vinyl, composite, aluminum, or fiberglass.

Also, make sure to choose window shutters that are 25 to 35 percent larger than the width of your window. This will help create a cohesive look.

10. Pressure Wash Your Driveway

Over time, your driveway can collect harmful growths such as mold, mildew, and algae. These growths can eventually decay the surface of your driveway and lead to safety hazards and costly repairs.

Pressure washing allows you to eliminate these growths and clean every pore of your driveway. It also helps to eliminate stains, limit the growth of weeds, and of course, improve the curb appeal of your home.

You can hire a professional to pressure wash your driveway, or you can do it yourself. If you choose to pressure wash, you’ll first need to prep the area by removing any dirt, stones, or loose material.

Then, degrease the surface of your driveway by applying a degreasing solution. After this, follow the instructions on the pressure washer to get it ready for use.

Before turning the pressure washer on, put on some safety gloves and goggles. Once you finish pressure washing your driveway, apply a layer of sealant to prevent future stains.

11. Clean Up Your Roof

Your roof can have a major effect on the curb appeal of your home. Not only does keeping up with roof maintenance improve the curb appeal of your home, but it also helps extend its lifespan.

Check for any loose shingles on your roof, and replace them immediately. Also, make sure to keep your roof clear of any growing algae or moss. If your roof seems to be beyond the point of repair, it may be time to replace it.

You can check out this post to learn more about new roof installation.

Time to Work on Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Now that you know how to improve your home’s curb appeal, it’s time to act. With these tips, you can completely transform the exterior of your home.

For more tips on improving your home’s exterior, check back in with our blog.