by Candace Jones
With the weather warming up and Spring just around the corner, now is an ideal time to spruce up your home’s exterior. Whether you’re preparing to list your home for sale or just want to freshen things up a bit, here are seven of my favorite ways to make your home sparkle and instantly boost curb appeal.
#1 Front Door Refresh
One of the easiest ways to make a good first impression and add curb appeal is by giving your front door a fresh coat of paint. You may choose something bold or cheery, something new, something neutral, or even stick with your current color. Whatever color you choose, giving your door a fresh layer or two of paint goes a long way. Just ensure the color you select compliments your home’s other exterior colors and sets the tone for the interior as well. Need some front door color inspo? Some of my favorites right now are Sherwin Williams’ Night Owl, Vintage Vessel, Hubbard Squash, Coral Perfection, and Greenblack. I also recommend Benjamin Moore’s free Color Portfolio app, which allows you to discover paint swatches that are based on colors in photos you take or upload. Picking a color is now easy peasy!
#2 New Modern House Numbers
Another way to instantly elevate your home’s exterior and boost curb appeal is by installing new and modern house numbers. You can find them in just about any style, size, and finish to suit your taste, but whatever you choose, make sure they stand out in contrast from the surface you place them on. If your exterior is light, keep the numbers dark or black. If your surface is dark, aim for something light or brushed/metallic so that they are visible from the road. Numbers that are in the 4-5″ size range usually work well, but feel free to go bigger or smaller depending on what is best for your house. Look for a way to line the numbers up intentionally, anchored by something visual already set in place (a light fixture, a door, a gate). Decide whether you prefer the numbers to be placed horizontally or vertically, and be sure you experiment with the spacing first before installation.
#3 Clean Your Gutters
A less fun and more practical item on my list to enhance curb appeal is cleaning out your gutters. As a real estate agent who has shown hundreds of homes over the years, it pains me to show a house that has debris hanging over the sides of the gutters. Sad face. It not only looks bad, but it also sends up a red flag in my mind and makes me wonder how careful the owner has been to stay on top of these types of routine-yet-important maintenance issues over time. Clogged gutters can direct water toward the foundation, causing issues with its stability in the long run. Make it a point to clean your gutters twice a year. However, if you have pine trees around your home, you’ll need to clean the gutters more frequently. While you’re cleaning your gutters, take a look at your downspouts. Make sure your downspouts are diverting water away from your home — some ideas include using a splash block, a bed of river rocks, or a corrugated drainage pipe. My home inspector recommends having your downspouts divert water at least a few feet away from your home, plus doing so will help to keep your mulch and landscaping beds in place and have things looking tidy.
#4 Power Wash All Surfaces
Without a doubt, my favorite way to spruce up a home’s exterior is by power washing. It’s so satisfying and provides instant results. Don’t just power wash the house. Power wash the front porch, power wash the front steps, power wash the sidewalk, power wash the driveway, power wash the deck and patio, and power wash the outdoor rug. Don’t forget the mailbox too! Be careful with your settings on painted surfaces though (like siding), as using too much pressure can damage the surface. Yes, power washing will make your home look cleaner and brighter, but it’s also an important way to care for your home because it gets rid of dirt, mildew, and mold that have been accumulating, especially in areas that are in the shade. I recommend power washing once or twice a year.
#5 Clean Your Windows
After the power washing is complete, take things up a notch and clean your windows inside and out. Your home will be gleaming after this step. If you have a 2-story home and prefer to outsource this project, you can often find a company that will take care of both power washing and window cleaning for you. Don’t forget to clean any glass surfaces on your exterior lights as well!
#6 Fresh Mulch
Mid-to-late-Spring is the best time for mulching after the soil has warmed up. If you live in an area with an abundance of pine trees as we have here in the Southeast, pine straw is a nice and natural-looking ground cover as well. In general, I prefer sticking with natural mulch colors, so nothing dyed or extreme. Hardwood brown mulch is a classic choice, as it looks like dirt and blends well with the rest of your landscaping. It’s recommended to mulch every year since old mulch decomposes over time and loses its color. Adding a fresh layer of mulch to your landscaping is one of the best ways to define your beds, reduce weeds, and instantly boost curb appeal to your home.
#7 Final Touches
Lastly, placing intentional pieces around your home’s exterior will add warmth, color, and interest. Ideas include incorporating flowers or greenery in planters or hanging baskets and by planting flowers or shrubs by the mailbox. No need to go crazy, though. A simple wreath, a fresh welcome mat, and a lantern or two will help to make your front porch feel welcoming. Use natural elements that are specific to the season you’re in and have fun expressing your personal style — all while making an impactful impression from the curb!
Comments are closed.