Whether you’re looking to sell your home or impress the in-laws, curb appeal is key. Simply upgrading your landscaping can increase your home’s value by up to 12.7%.
There are several exterior updates you can do yourself to enhance your home’s appearance and make a great first impression on potential buyers, guests, or even your neighbors. Here are seven easy home improvements anyone can make to spruce up their home.
1. Clear clutter
A simple way to boost your home’s curb appeal is to clear the clutter. Look at the exterior as if you’re viewing it for the first time. Move bicycles, toys, garbage bins, and yard tools to the garage for an instant improvement. Then clear away any overgrowth. Gather up fallen leaves, strewn branches, and pinecones. Trim back shrubs and plants to better display the front door, front porch, and windows.
2. Feed the lawn
Does your lawn need some TLC? Bare spots, weeds, and thinning areas can make the wrong first impression with guests. Snap a few digital pictures to see your yard as a whole and identify problem areas. Spot-treat weeds, and plant new grass where needed. Give your lawn a good fertilizing to keep it growing consistently.
3. Trim the trees
For a postcard-perfect look, remove the lower branches from the trees on your property—this is also called “limbing up” or “crown raising.” Pruning and trimming branches gives your yard more structure and form. Then give the bushes a haircut. Use handheld hedge clippers to trim unwanted outliers and a hedge trimmer to shape your bushes, taking care to follow safety instructions. Finish up by outlining the border of your lawn with an edge trimmer or lawn edger. It’ll give your yard a refined, cared-for look and feel.
4. Freshen flower beds
Choose flowers that complement the color of your house. Pick up a color wheel at an art supply store to help you find colors that either match or contrast your home’s palette. Try a mix of fragrant flowering plants—such as hydrangea bushes, sweet peas, and rose bushes—to create an instant homey feel.
Changing out the mulch in your flower beds can also dramatically upgrade your home’s curb appeal. Cedar mulch, specifically, is pleasantly aromatic and lasts longer than regular mulch. For a fully integrated look, lay down pavers where the mulch meets the yard. These blocks add aesthetics and reduce maintenance; choose from such materials as stone, brick, clay, or concrete. Pavers also keep mulch in place throughout changing weather.
5. Highlight the walkway
For a striking effect, rent a pressure washer to power wash the walkway. It brightens and freshens the entire exterior and shows visitors that your home is well-maintained.
Add outdoor lighting to the entry path and key areas you want to illuminate. Choose soft exterior lighting for a pleasant ambiance or solar-powered lights, which are bright, durable, and easy to install.
You can also round out the walkway aesthetic with decorative house numbers or sconces for an elegant exterior touch.
6. Front porch makeover
Create a cheery front porch setting that welcomes guests. Clear out seasonally inappropriate décor, as well as anything more than a year old. Wash windows, light fixtures, and trim—and keep them clean. Add a new welcome mat and a wreath for an inviting look. Remove personal clutter from the porch, and ensure that outdoor furniture is visually appealing from the road.
7. Paint the front door
The entryway is the first thing people see when visiting your home. Greet them with a freshly painted door that compliments your house and adds instant curb appeal. Choose a paint color that blends with your home’s existing color and textures, or opt for a bold color pop. Heritage Red or Satin Navy are two stand-out colors, recommended by Good Housekeeping. You don’t need any special skills to add a coat of paint or a stain finish to a front door, so this is an ideal weekend DIY project.
When to hire a professional
Looking to tackle a few of the items above and can’t (or just plain don’t want to) do it yourself?Hire a pro. A professional landscaper can create a more sophisticated look for your property, boost curb appeal, and ensure the job is completed safely and skillfully.
What to expect
Share your vision for sprucing up the front yard with your landscaper, then ask for their expert recommendations. They may suggest such curb appeal ideas as filling in empty spots quickly, adding potted plants, lighting fixtures, or building a low-maintenance garden. Don’t forget to ask about timing, the date they can start your project, and when they estimate it to be completed.
Pricing
Landscaping prices can vary widely. Be sure to communicate your budget before getting started. The quote you receive should include both design and installation costs.
