14 Tips to Improve Your House’s Curb Appeal

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If you want to make your home stand out but don’t have a huge budget, don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to enhance your home’s curb appeal without spending a lot of money.

By focusing on a few simple, inexpensive projects, you can create a welcoming exterior that will make a big impact on anyone passing by. Even small cosmetic changes to your house can give it more curb appeal to buyers.

That means more interested buyers, a quicker sale, and a chance to get more than your asking price. In order to give yourself every advantage, it’s smart to make sure that your home looks as good as it possibly can when buyers come to see it.

There are some very affordable (even cost-free) ways to make your home look much more appealing to potential buyers. And you won’t have to have any contractors tramping through your home.

How to Increase Your Home’s Curb Appeal

A lack of curb appeal can turn potential buyers away before they’ve even seen the inside. So let’s start with some tips for improving the outside of your home and yard.

Note that not every task listed here is DIY. Don’t hurt yourself climbing on a ladder or trying to fix electrical items yourself if you’re not qualified.

1. Tidy Up Your Lawn and Garden

Your home’s landscaping is a big part of its overall curb appeal. Make sure your lawn is neatly mowed, edged, and free of weeds.

Trim any overgrown shrubs or trees, and consider adding some colorful flowers or potted plants to your entryway or porch. You can even plant a small flower bed or two to spruce it up.

2. Add a Fresh Coat of Paint to Your Front Door

Your front door is one of the first things people notice. A bold, fresh color can make a huge difference. Think of a cheery red, blue or green. I once painted my black front door a light orange peach color.

While a bright color will attract attention, make sure it complements the rest of your home and doesn’t look garish. And use weatherproof paint for durability.

3. Paint or Replace Your Garage Door

If your garage door is looking worn or outdated, you can easily paint it. A fresh coat of paint in a complementary color can instantly refresh the appearance of your home’s exterior. You can even paint it to match your bright new front door.

If the door is dented or in need of repair, it might be worth replacing your garage door with a more modern, stylish model.

4. Clean and Paint Trim

If the outside of your home looks dingy or has mold growing on it, clean it up. A good scrubbing may be all you need.

But if that doesn’t make it look good, get some well-matched paint and touch up those areas that need it. Don’t just look at the walls, but also check the eaves, gutters, drain pipes, decks, patios and porches, too.

5. Pressure Wash Your Driveway and Walkways

Over time, dirt, mildew, and stains can accumulate on your home’s hardscaping. You can give it a good pressure washing yourself, with a rented machine if you don’t own a pressure washer.

This will restore the clean, fresh appearance of your driveway, sidewalk, and any other concrete or paved surfaces around your home.

5. Minor Repairs to Gutters, Pipes, Etc.

If you’ve got gutters leaking, roof tiles out of place, or rusty drain pipes, fixing those items will help. You may need a contractor to fix leaking gutters or roof problems. You can fix rusty drain pipes yourself.

If there are holes in the driveway, you can often patch and seal them yourself, on the cheap.

6. Add Exterior Lighting

Install some affordable path lighting along your walkway and you’ll be surprised how much better it makes your home look. You may also want to add some wall sconces to your porch or entryway, or consider a decorative lamppost in your front yard.

Not only will this improve the appearance of your home, but it can also boost safety and security. Remember to hire a contractor if the job requires working with wiring or climbing up on ladders.

7. Mulch Your Garden Beds

Fresh mulch always makes a home look so well-tended. Put down a layer of it around all plants and beds, and it will look like a gardener has just landscaped your home.

8. Upgrade Your House Numbers

Outdated or hard-to-read house numbers can detract from your home’s appearance. You can replace these with larger, more modern numbers that are easy for visitors to spot from the street. I used these house numbers, but you can also find them at hardware stores.

9. Refresh Your Front Porch or Entryway

If your porch isn’t looking its best, give it a fresh coat of paint or stain, and add some new, weather-resistant furniture or decor. You can also hang a beautiful wreath, add some potted plants, or install a new doormat to create an inviting and welcoming entrance.

If you have a concrete porch, this cleaner is great for getting rid of old stains and mold and generally refreshing it.

10. Replace a Battered Mailbox

Replace an old, weathered mailbox with a new, decorative one that complements the style of your home. You can also consider painting or refurbishing your existing mailbox to make it look like new.

11. Declutter Your Outdoor Space

Take some time to tidy up your outdoor spaces. Store any outdoor equipment, tools, or furniture neatly out of sight, and make sure your front yard and porch are free of any unsightly debris or items.

12. Refresh Your Window Boxes or Planters

If you have window boxes or planters around your home’s exterior, make sure they’re looking their best. Replace any dead or dying plants, and consider adding some colorful, seasonal flowers or greenery to brighten up the space.

13. Paint or Stain Your Fence, and Replace Latches

If you have a fence, especially one that’s visible from any road near your property, repaint or stain it to give it a fresh, updated look.

If that’s too big a job, you can also use that concrete cleaner I mentioned above to take years of algae and weathering off your fence.

This fence was green and stained before I cleaned it. I also replaced the latch, which didn’t match the hinges and wasn’t working well. It could look better, but it looks about 500% better than before.

14. Hang a Wreath or Door Decor

A wreath or other door decor can make your home feel more welcoming. You can choose something seasonal or a wreath made of natural materials like flowers or greenery.

You can also get wooden signs that say “Welcome” or wooden painted animals – anything that seems right for your neighborhood, looks welcoming and goes with your home.