Curb appeal, the first thing people see when they walk up to your house, is one of the most important aspects of home design. But what exactly is it, and why does it matter? Simply put, curb appeal refers to the first impression your home gives someone who’s walking by. If it looks attractive and well-kept, you’re likely to attract potential buyers and make them want to look inside your home as well. These are things you should keep in mind when designing or updating your home, both inside and out – consider these 7 steps to improving curb appeal today!
What does “Adding Curb Appeal” Mean?
Adding curb appeal to a house means making it more aesthetically pleasing from the street. There are lots of ways to do this, but it’s important that you don’t go overboard. If you want to add curb appeal, think about adding some plants, a porch light or flowers in front of the house. You can also change out the window treatments or add a new coat of paint to your home. Curb appeal is so much more than just an expression. The exterior of your house makes up an essential part of what people see when they first come into contact with your property and that first impression is going to be lasting. That’s why it’s imperative that you put a little time into improving the look of your house.
A great way to start would be by planting some flowers in front or maybe building a small garden on one side of the yard. Not only will these additions make for a better looking yard, but they’ll give off an inviting vibe as well which will encourage passers-by to stop and say hello! Remember, when considering which changes to make to your exterior, keep them natural and affordable.
Avoid investing too much money in big flashy things like installing a pool; those sorts of major purchases should be saved for inside the home where they’ll have greater impact. Planting flowers in pots around your porch might be a good place to start since they’re relatively easy and inexpensive! They could even help bring color back to the outside of your house after months of winter. Of course, there are other options available such as adding a porch light if yours looks outdated or cluttered. These are all simple ideas that can really improve curb appeal without costing too much money.
Why is Curb Appeal Important?
A home that is well-maintained will sell faster and for a higher price than one that doesn’t appear cared for. You may not want to move into a new home with less than perfect curb appeal but this same idea applies if you are selling it. Showing potential buyers all the great features you have, especially in the interior design, will help them envision themselves living there. The better your curb appeal, the more likely they are going to want to buy it! So, make sure you keep up appearances by getting regular yard work done and maintaining exterior painting or siding regularly. You’ll see an increase in home value just because of the effort put forth towards it.
Does Curb Appeal Increase Home Value?
Curb appeal is the first thing people see when they look at a property. If the curb appeal is attractive, it will increase the chances of someone wanting to buy that home because it looks nice. Studies have shown that homes with an attractive exterior tend to sell for more money than those without, so curb appeal does impact home value. But how much curb appeal matters depends on the area and what else is available in the neighborhood. For example, if you are living in a rural area with only two houses on either side of you and one has amazing gardens and beautiful flowers all around while the other has weeds growing up from every inch of dirt, then curb appeal may not be as important as being able to live next door to another person who can offer company or help out in times of need.
It’s also important to remember that the external appearance of your home doesn’t necessarily reflect the inside. Someone might like your house but dislike your backyard which appears cluttered and messy no matter how hard you try to keep it clean. The same is true for other aspects of your house such as outdoor furniture, outdoor lighting, hanging pots and plants, etc.
So why does having curb appeal matter at all? Well, first of all, many studies show that a good exterior design can actually make homeowners feel happier about their property overall. They feel more confident about taking care of their lawn and garden as well as making any improvements to the exterior because they know others will appreciate it too. Plus, according to some sources, curb appeal could be worth as much as $10,000-50,000 in increased value per year! That’s a huge difference over time – especially considering that your average American household spends $8500/year on housing expenses!
One downside is that improving curb appeal often costs money; even just planting shrubs can set you back by hundreds of dollars. You could always start with something cheaper like adding window boxes or colorful flowerpots to your front steps though! In any case, if you’re looking to improve your curb appeal, the best way to do so would be to consult a professional designer or landscape architect in your area (or both!) who will help customize a plan tailored specifically for you. Not only will this ensure that you don’t miss anything crucial when it comes to designing your perfect space, but also allow them to explain exactly what should go where based on experience and expertise rather than relying solely on trial and error.
How Can You Get Cheap Curb Appeal?
The first step to getting curb appeal is to clean up your property. What does that mean? Picking up litter, trimming overgrown trees, and fixing any broken fences or sidewalk. A tidy yard can go a long way towards appealing to buyers who are looking for a home in the neighborhood. If you don’t have the time or know-how to do it yourself, there are plenty of services available like landscaping and lawn care companies that offer affordable rates. . Your garden doesn’t need expensive perennials; simple annuals work just as well. Annuals come back every year which means they won’t be costly to maintain.
There are many different types of plants with different needs, so take some time to do your research and find one that will thrive in your area. Remember that flowers should be planted where people will see them when they walk by–either on the front porch or along the side fence–so choose wisely! It’s also important to keep in mind the color of your house and what colors will look good next to it. Do you want bright yellow petunias or pale pink daisies?
That’s entirely up to you but whatever flower color you choose, make sure they’ll stand out against your house paint colors. Some people like to use shrubs around their homes. Shrubs provide privacy while maintaining an attractive appearance, though they can get pricey if you hire someone else to do it for you. For those on a tight budget, potted plants work just as well!
They’re easy to put together because all you really need is soil and a pot, plus they’re small enough to fit anywhere! Planting herbs such as basil, mint or rosemary near your front door is an excellent idea because not only will it attract bees and butterflies but it smells great too. A little bit of creativity goes a long way when trying to spruce up your yard and increase its curb appeal.
Remove any mold and mildew
One way to make sure your curb appeal is top notch is to remove any mold and mildew from your home. It may seem like a small task, but it can have a big impact on how people perceive your property. Start by washing down the exterior of the house with water, and then add in some bleach if needed. Next, scrub down all visible surfaces such as window frames and doorways with soap or detergent and water before drying them off with a towel or rag. Finally, rinse out gutters to prevent excess buildup which could be blocking airflow into the attic space or just plain unattractive for guests. Now that you’ve removed all the yucky stuff that no one wants to see, you’ll want to seal up any cracks or holes in brickwork, drywall, and siding. You can do this with caulk or spackle if necessary. Then repaint to freshen things up!
TIP: For brick houses, you might want to wash down the surface and apply a good coat of oil-based paint using a sprayer or roller (check your local hardware store). For other types of exteriors, consider using acrylic paints. They’re less likely to peel off over time than oil-based ones and they won’t cause damage to your windows either. While most painting jobs are pretty straightforward, if you need help figuring out what kind of paint to use or how best to finish up the job, be sure to consult an expert!
Clean dirty windows
A simple way to increase your curb appeal is by making sure your windows are clean and sparkling. With some elbow grease and a little bit of know-how, you can turn an average window into something special. Use a sponge dipped in soapy water to wipe the glass from top to bottom. Hold the sponge with one hand, using your other hand as support for it on the other side of the glass. Use gentle circular motions for best results and work from top down or bottom up.
Rinse with clear water and dry with paper towels or a chamois cloth for an even cleaner look! For streaks that persist after wiping, use vinegar mixed with warm water. Rub it onto the streaky area and let sit for about 15 minutes before wiping clean again with soapy water. For really stubborn stains, use a commercial detergent instead of soap – just make sure to rinse thoroughly. For hard surfaces, such as concrete sidewalks, we recommend pressure washing to keep them looking great.
Just be sure not to hit your plants or flower beds while doing this task! If you have any cracks or holes in your pavement, call us today to schedule a repair service. You don’t want visitors tripping over them and damaging their cars! If your home has been on the market for more than 6 months, contact us today to discuss staging options.
Keep trash cans clean and to the side
No one wants to be greeted by a dirty, full trash can when they walk up to the house. Not only does it make your home look unkempt, but it also sends the message that you don’t care about your guests. Keep trash cans clean and to the side of the house if possible. Do not put them near your front door or anywhere else where guests will see them. Hang curtains inside: If people are not able to see inside from outside, then it will have an impact on how they perceive how tidy your home is on the inside.
Curtains in the windows at night are a great way to show off how much pride you take in your home. Make sure they match with any other colors in the room as well. For instance, if your living room is mostly dark blues and purples, then pick some light blue curtains for the window. Draw attention away from anything unsightly: If there is something that detracts from the curb appeal of your home (such as graffiti), try to find ways to draw attention away from it instead. There are various things you can do, such as painting over it or placing plants around the area so that people will notice those instead. The idea is to never stop trying to improve your property’s exterior appearance because this could lead to more foot traffic and even more potential customers.
Mow the lawn
A well-maintained lawn shows that you take pride in your home and will be a good neighbor to those around you. Trim bushes, sweep up any leaves or debris, and keep the windows washed so that there’s nothing to distract from how great the inside of your home looks! It may seem like just a little work before you go to meet your new neighbors for the first time, but it can go a long way toward making people feel comfortable about approaching your house for the first time.
That means if they’re going by on their bike, looking at their phone, driving by on their way home from work…anyone!
Clean up your front yard and driveway
Having a clean front yard and driveway will show potential buyers that you care about the appearance of your property, so they know they’ll be getting their money’s worth. Get rid of any dead plants or flowers. Keep all leaves swept up. Make sure to remove any dirt stains on sidewalks or driveways by using a light spray of water and then wiping them away with a damp cloth. The last thing to do is to keep your house well lit at night!
A Quick Wrap
Curb appeal is the first impression your house gives to potential buyers. Prospective homeowners are looking for a place that feels welcoming and inviting, and curb appeal is one way you can tell them that you care about their opinion. The best type of curb appeal isn’t complicated or expensive: it just needs to be true to your home and reflect who you are as a person. For example, if you’re into gardening then make sure there is always fresh blooms on display, or if you love basketball then have some of your favorite team memorabilia in view on the front porch. Your personality should shine through in everything from decorating choices to landscaping decisions!