How to Add Curb Appeal to Your Home

Your front door is more important than you might think. According to Deb Cohen from the Front Door Project, the front door is the focal point of any home. It shows a bit of a homeowner’s personality and style, and is the first thing people notice when they pay you a visit. Use the following tips to upgrade your front door and improve curb appeal.

Painting your front door in a bright, complementary color will freshen up your home’s look with just an hour of work. But if your door is damaged, outdated or made of low-quality material, installing a new door will be money well-spent. Choose a door with windows or molding to add character.

With a few pieces of framing lumber or molding and some paint, a DIY doorframe makes a plain entryway pop and instantly adds front porch curb appeal.

Celebrate the season you’re in by hanging a festive wreath on your front door. While holiday wreaths are the most popular front door decoration, you can easily find spring, autumn and fall wreaths at your local craft store.

If your door knocker, knob or hinges look a little worn, update them, especially if your door is hard to close or the hardware has missing parts. You can find what you need at your local hardware store. And with several styles to choose from, giving your home a more rustic or modern look is easy.

You can add curb appeal by turning your front porch or patio into an outdoor living space. Simply stage a few chairs and an end table, and put out a doormat to make your house feel more inviting. A hanging porch swing is another inexpensive perk that potential buyers will love. Don’t have any porch furniture? Shop around online for some affordable options.

If you have a wooden porch, consider staining it a new color. Have a concrete porch? Paint it a different color to give the outside of your home a fresh look. Just make sure the stain or paint you choose is weather resistant.

You can easily upgrade your front porch by installing a railing. Not only will this add a visual element to the front of your home, but it also makes your house more accessible. Guests will have something to hold on to as they climb your porch stairs and make their way through the door.

Don’t have a front porch or patio space? Build one to add curb appeal. Two columns and a small roof over your front door add an interesting architectural detail that emphasizes your entrance and welcomes visitors into your home.

Trying to sell your home? Many buyers will see complicated landscaping as a con due to the upkeep or the cost of making changes. Strip out any plants or bushes that need regular attention, and replace them with lower-maintenance options. Also, cut down any trees that are dead or pose a safety risk and plant new trees that fit the space better.

The easiest way to add curb appeal through your landscaping is planting native flowers that don’t need much attention or perennials that will add color for years to come. Clear out any overgrowth and plant flowers in your front yard. If you don’t have enough room for a flower bed in your yard, install a window box to give your home a pop of color.

Everyone can appreciate a green yard. Take care of your landscaping seasonally by raking leaves, watering flowers, trimming overgrown bushes and weeding. Make sure to fertilize your grass to avoid brown spots, and watch out for puddles, which could be a sign of yard drainage issues.

Show some personality with potted plants and hanging baskets on your front porch. Colorful flowers with a pop of green can go a long way in catching a potential buyer’s eye.

Give your home a modern look by trading your old stick-on house numbers for trendy metallic numbers or a wooden address sign. You can make your own, grab new numbers from your local hardware store or even find affordable custom signs on Etsy. This small update makes a big impact while also making your address easier to read from the street.

Power wash your driveway, sidewalk, patio and siding to give your home a fresh look. Check the areas for cracks or weeds, and then use a pressure washer to clear away stubborn dirt and grime.

Whether it’s on the street or attached to your home, a worn-out mailbox can make a bad first impression. Add DIY curb appeal by switching out your old mailbox with a shiny new one. You can put decorative house numbers on the mailbox or plants around the post as a finishing touch.