Curb appeal is that look from the street that says this place is interesting or restful or happy. It can be whatever emotion you want to evoke when you look at your own home. The main effect should be that you want to see more. It should draw you in–not push you away.
At this point, you may be thinking about your neutral-colored siding and DIY, maybe not so great landscaping and thinking it’s time to do something. The very next thought is usually connected to the budget.
Not too many people can change the siding on their home because they don’t like the color. But there are small inexpensive changes (like planting flower bulbs) that will have a major impact on your curb appeal for little to no money.
Think about the inside of your home. If you have a perfectly good but ugly brown couch, you can change the entire look by just adding pillows with a pop of color or a cool graphic design. Same old couch but a whole new look. This is also true of your house. The accessories can have the same impact on the outside. Just adding a pot of beautiful flowers can change the whole look of your front entry. Here are some budget-friendly ideas to give your home a boost in curb appeal.
1. Clean up.
It is amazing what just a good cleaning can do. Give your front yard a deep cleaning. Borrow or rent a power washer and clean the pavement. Whether you have a cement walk, pavers or stone, a good cleaning will make a huge difference. You can also use a power washer on your siding. Clean the rain gutters for any leaves that have built up. Spruce up your outdoor light fixtures so they sparkle again.
Another place that could use some cleaning are your front windows. After cleaning streaks and pollen off the window, rake out and weed the garden beds. Consider edging your beds. Edging doesn’t have to include expensive strips of plastic or metal edging. It can be as simple as cutting an edge with a shovel. That crisp edge gives an amazing lift to the landscaping and it costs nothing but an investment of time and work.
2. Paint the front door.
This is where you can make a statement. The door color can be an unexpected pop of color or it can be a touch of elegance. A door painted a bright turquoise blue and a door painted a deep eggplant purple will have a very different impact. They are both unexpected colors but evoke very different reactions.
A gallon of paint is usually around $30 and will be more than enough paint for a door. Also, remember that both sides of the door do not have to be the same color. Leave the inside compatible with your living space and only paint the front face of your door.
3. Add flower pots.
Flowers add softness to the exterior. Large pots can make a statement on either side of your entry. Say welcome with a grouping of pots filled with a variety of flowering plants. If you need to use a variety of pots in different sizes and shapes, unify them with paint. By giving all the pots a coat of the same paint, they look like they belong together instead of a hodgepodge of mismatched pots.
Consider painting them the same color as the front door you just painted turquoise. Another way to bring the look together is to plant the pots with the same color flowers as the door color. Use coleus or crotons to complement the eggplant color.
4. Incorporate porch seating.
If you have a front porch or even a wide landing at your front door, add seating. Consider a porch swing or rocking chairs instead of the usual outdoor furniture. Even a small bench will give the impression that you want your guests to stay awhile.
5. Update door hardware.
Door hardware includes the doorknob and lock. Today, the variety of door hardware is huge. From rustic to contemporary or Victorian to Craftsman style, you can make a big change in the appearance of your front door by changing the hardware.
6. Refresh your mailbox and house numbers.
If the house numbers seem more functional than decorative, you probably haven’t seen the variety of styles available. If you have a mailbox attached to your house, make sure it is compatible with the new hardware and/or door color.
However, if your mailbox is freestanding at the curb, consider upgrading it to an asset in your yard. Upgrade the post in the ground to an architectural feature compatible with the style of your home. Plant flowers around it or a vine that can grow over the mailbox.
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7. Hang a wreath.
Many people include a wreath on the front door for their Christmas décor, but a wreath is beautiful year-round. This can be a great DIY project.
8. Lay out a new doormat.
Add a classic doormat. Some doormats even say “Welcome”, which is the feeling you are trying to project even before your guests open the door. Another idea is to get a mat that incorporates and coordinates with the color of the front door.
9. Replace exterior lights.
Your exterior light at your front door is not just a safety feature. Change that light to coordinate with your home’s style and hardware.
10. Utilize outdoor solar lights.
Outdoor lighting is also a safety feature in your yard, but it can really emphasize the beauty of your plants as well. The problem has always been the expense of running electric wiring to the lights. Today, with the advances in solar lighting, that expense is unnecessary.
These lights are relatively inexpensive as well. But the biggest advantage of these lights is that you can move them whenever you want. So in the spring, highlight the gorgeous flower bulbs that are in full bloom, and in the fall, move them to feature the other blooms.
If you can complete one or two of these suggestions a season, it won’t be long and you will have a completely new look with lots of curb appeal that didn’t break the bank.