The outside of your home is the first impression guests and neighbours take in, it sets an expectation of what’s inside. No matter if you are thinking of listing your home or if you just want to add some sparkle for your own enjoyment, increasing your homes curb appeal is a great way to ensure your home stands out and increase its overall value. Here are 5 tips to help your home be the envy of your neighbourhood.
- Update Your Landscaping
Having a well-maintained lawn and garden beds is a fairly inexpensive way to ensure your home stands out, but it will take some commitment from you. Ensuring your lawn is well manicured, means it is watered and cut on regular basis, nothing quite screams pride of ownership as a vibrant green lawn. To add that professional touch, make sure to edge your lawn every time it is cut. Having well-groomed garden beds are a great compliment to a vibrant lawn, start by removing all weeds and covering the entire bed with mulch. This will give your home a crisp look while retaining moisture and reducing weeds. A variety of flowers will add a welcomed pop of colour, you don’t need to plant all of the flowers in the beds, planters will have the same affect. Try framing your front door by placing two large planters on either side.
- Power Wash
Giving the exterior of your home a deep clean is a reliable way to brighten up your home. You can use your garden hose to rinse off any dirt and debris that has built up, just make sure to set the nozzle to its highest setting. To get the best results use a pressure washer, this will ensure even the toughest patches for dirt and grime are removed from your home’s exterior. When washing your windows and doors with a pressure washer make sure you are a few feet away as the full strength of the pressure washer can peel up caulking that seals your windows and doors.
- Replace Exterior Lighting
A bright entry way, is an inviting entry way. Replacing your older light fixtures around your front door and garage will give your entry way that inviting brightness. Try finding replacement lights that use the same mounting system as your existing lights for easy installation. Make sure the breaker in your electric panel for your lights is off prior to beginning, safety first! If you are looking to add additional lighting to the front of your home, consider solar powered lanterns to light up your front walk way.
- Outdoor Furniture
Too much furniture will make the front of your home feel cluttered, but a few well-placed pieces will add some charm. Try adding a vintage chair or two, you can find some great second-hand items at your local antique shop. A small table with a colourful planter on top will add some elegance to your setup.
- Front Door Updates
Brighten up your home by making your front door stand out. Paint your main entrance door a bold colour such as turquois, or bright green. Make sure the colour you choose matches the rest of the exterior décor. While your attention is on your main entrance, replace your hardware. A new door knob can really change to feel of your entrance way. Finally add a new doormat. A doormat is a great way to greet guests and keep dirt out of your home.
With a small financial investment and little bit of elbow grease you are sure to brighten up the exterior of your home. If you are looking to sell your home, your fresh exterior is sure to make an impression on potential buyers, and if you completed the updates for your own enjoyment, sit back in your new entry way furniture and watch as your neighbours take a second glance as they pass by.