Curb Appeal: What Is It and How Can You Improve It

Far from being another real estate buzzword, curb appeal is integral to your home and an important part of homeownership. Curb appeal relates to how your home looks from the curb, i.e., to others passing by, and it encompasses the entirety of the external aesthetics of the building and your surrounding property.

If your home's curb appeal is not representative of your abode, it's not just your property that's at stake. It's your personal image that's on the line. People form their first impressions within 7 seconds, and these impressions extend beyond your property to how they perceive you and your lifestyle. It's a reflection of your personal standards, not just a matter of property aesthetics.

But if you don't want people to think poorly of you and your home, these tips can help you improve your curb appeal so it hits the mark and accurately portrays you and your home.

Landscaping

Landscaping refers to how the land around your property looks, which is more than simply a few flowers in the ground. It's about choosing the right plants that will thrive in your climate so they need less upkeep and look good for as long as possible. 

It's about eradicating weeds and staying on top of regrowth tools such as a battery operated weed eater; it's about the layout and design of your lawn and flower beds if you opt for them and the design you choose of any hard landscaping materials such as tiles, paving, concrete, etc. All of it needs to be upkept and well-maintained at all times to improve your curb appeal.

Front Door

Your front door is the main entranceway to your home, and if it's looking shabbier than chic and not trendy, then people won't think too highly of you or your property when they first arrive. And if they are arriving due to your selling, this doesn't bode well.

Your front door needs to be safe and secure to use. This means it should be free of damage and open and close as it is supposed to in the frame.

Once it's in good working order, you need to address the aesthetics of your front door. Does it need a new coat of paint? Can you update it with a bold color that is more representative of your home and file? Bold colors like red, navy blue, or even bright yellow can make a statement and enhance your home's curb appeal. Can you clean up the entire entranceway and make it look good to complement the door itself? Adding in lighting and simply removing clutter and debris can instantly boost curb appeal and make your home look more inviting.

In addition to this, updating accessories and hardware i.e., door handles, can be a great place to start.

Add Lighting

Lighting options are not just about visibility. They are about creating an ambiance that can entice people to want to see more. Even in the daytime, turning off lights around your property can be impactful. The design and style of light you choose, the placement of the light, and more can all form part of the style that pulls your home's exterior together to create a story. 

So instead of just adding in any light to boost curb appeal, think carefully about its function, i.e., do you need it for security or to illuminate darker areas, where are you going to add the lights, and what it looks like in your preferred location so it flows and doesn't stand out for all the wrong reasons. Lighting can transform your home into a welcoming space with little to no effort.

Exterior Maintenance

So, you've addressed the landscaping, the lighting, and the front door now? Now, you need to take a step back and look at the rest of the property as a whole. Look for any broken or damaged aspects, such as gutters or siding. 

Flaking or chipped paint, damaged door or window frames, etc., your home needs to be in a good state of repair, and you also need to be constantly checking for issues and repairing them to retain functionality and security and to boost your home's curb appeal. This will make a massive difference in how your home looks.

If your home doesn't need these repairs, then maybe a fresh coat of paint or adding siding can be beneficial to help you cover up imperfections or simply give it a facelift. Of course, you can purchase new windows and doors if you can update them if they're no longer fit for purpose.