Whether you’re planning to sell your home or simply want to give its appearance a boost, there are ways to make it look better. Real estate agents use the term “curb appeal” to describe the first impression your home gives from the street or a simple walkaround. With a little cleaning, upgrading, and simple additions, you can make your house sparkle with newfound appeal. Here are a few suggestions on how to beautify your home’s exterior.
Paint the Front Door
A door can be a symbol of welcome, or a sign that says “go away.” If you have the means, replace a solid and unfriendly steel front door with one featuring wood and glass that offers a more homey and welcoming appearance. If a new door isn’t an option, choose a cheerful new color that complements the color of your home’s façade. Match it by painting the window frames, shutters, and other accents the same hue for continuity and added charm. But the door is the best place to start, drawing the eye to your home’s heart and center.
Spruce Up the Window Wells
You probably don’t think too much about your window wells, but they’re looking after you every day. Designed to let the sunshine into your basement while keeping soil, water, and pests out, since they’re out of sight it’s easy to let them go to literal seed. Take the time to keep window wells clear of weeds, leaves, trash, and more, and give them a touch of paint to bring out their best. Add a decorative liner and a few potted plants to create a better view from the inside as well.
Add Some Green (and Red, and Blue)
Adding some life to your home’s exterior is always easier with actual living things. Even if you feel like your green thumb isn’t green enough, there are plenty of low-maintenance plants that can decorate your front and back yard and add several dozen pops of color. Speak to someone at your local gardening center about plant suggestions for your region and climate but know that some leafy additions are universal. A bed of ivy can add lushness to your garden, as can host plants, hydrangeas, lilacs, bee balm, and so many others. And picking flowers not only beautifies your home but also helps the local bees feed and pollinate other plants.
Under Pressure?
For the final tip on how to beautify your home’s exterior, remember to keep your home’s exterior clean. If you have aluminum or vinyl siding, it’s as easy as attaching a spray nozzle to your garden hose and blasting the side after switching to jet mode. Scrub down the exterior as well with a brush attachment and mix up a cleaning solution of water and vinegar that will clean the sides without killing your plants. Want to be extra thorough? Spring for renting a pressure washer at the hardware store.
