Adding Curb Appeal to Your Home in 3 Simple Steps

First impressions count, don’t they? Especially in the case of your home. The exterior of your home plays an important role in shaping people’s opinions of what’s on the inside.

If your home’s curb appeal makes a positive first impression, people will automatically associate positive traits to the inside of the home, which will someday play a huge role of how quickly you’re able to sell the house. Curb appeal is the #1 factor in drawing potential buyers and can even help you ask for a higher price when you go to sell.

Understandably therefore, when it comes to adding curb appeal, the question is not so much ‘why’ as it is ‘how’. Here are some of the best updates to consider:

1. Upgrade exterior hardware and lighting

Old, unsightly hardware and lighting make your home look untidy and unkempt. An easy, low-cost, and DIY exterior remodeling project is to simply replace the entry door lock-set, mailbox, house numbers, overhead light fixtures and other hardware with new, color-coordinated models. In addition, install new outdoor lighting (lampposts and not overhead fixtures) for further charm.

2. Clean up the yard and create a new garden

Another cheap DIY project for beautiful exterior remodeling is simply cleaning up the yard. Trim the bushes, sweep the steps, mow the lawn and so on — these won’t even cost a penny! Once you have a neatly manicured lawn, take it up a notch by adding an ‘instant’ garden.

Container gardens are a great option. They add color, warmth and a welcoming feel to the home exterior and boost curb appeal ten-folds. You can purchase ready-made plant containers from your local store or create your own.

3. Install window boxes and new siding

Siding replacement, though not DIY, is one of the easiest ways to give your home a complete aesthetic makeover through exterior remodeling. It also provides other functional benefits to your home. Exterior remodeling of siding and windows together is even better because it allows you to color-coordinate the entire exterior in one go.

Window boxes in particular are great for adding instant color and charm to the overall curb appeal of your home. You can mix-and-match different colors or materials to suit your taste. Go for copper or iron boxes to get a traditional look, and painted wood boxes to get a cottage-like look. Beautify them further with flowers and plants for best results.