How To Improve Your Home’s Curbside Appeal

The old saying "first impressions count for a lot" holds true in many areas of life, including home design. There are many instances where people walk past a house and immediately think that they would like to live there, while the opposite of this is common too. It is an area often overlooked by homeowners, so improving the curbside appeal of your home is a fantastic way to improve the overall aesthetic and impress any visitors to your home. Additionally, having a beautiful exterior can put you in a good mood every time you arrive at the house and help you feel at home. So, here are a few ways to improve the look of the exterior of your home.

Door

The front door is usually what people will look at first when approaching the home as this is where you enter. Make a great first impression with an attractive door that is clean, has a fresh coat of paint, and is in tune with the style of the house. You can easily upgrade your door with new brass numbers, a new letterbox, and a knocker. Stained glass or frosted glass can also look great, although this can be a safety concern. It is also worth tiling the doorstep and having plants and maybe even a small bench (if space permits) immediately outside the front door.

Cladding

If your home was built between 1950 and 1990, then you may find that it now looks outdated and dull (particularly if it was made with cheap bricks). It may seem like there is not much that you can do about this, but cladding the exterior is a terrific way to transform the exterior and give your home a new personality. There are many different materials to consider (some require more maintenance than others), but natural timber cladding is a popular option that can look fantastic.

Windows

People are naturally curious, so they are likely to peer in through the windows as they pass. This is, of course, not always welcome which is why it is a good idea to have nice curtains or blinds so that you can block this out. You can improve the look of the home by regularly cleaning the windows (inside and out!) and with windowsill plants, flowers, etc.

Roof Tiles

It is easy to forget about the roof, but this has a huge impact on the aesthetic of the home from the outside. Changing the roof tiles can transform the entire exterior, but be sure to select tiles that match the home as otherwise, they will look out of place. This is also a good opportunity to clean out/replace the guttering too.

Walkway

If you have a walkway leading up to your front door, this acts like a red carpet and should complement the rest of your home. A cobbled walkway with plant life or stones on either side can look fantastic and is much more exciting than grey concrete or tarmac. The walkway should also be well-lit and kept clear of any trip hazards (this means regular cleaning too).

Driveway

You may not notice your driveway much, but those walking past certainly will especially when there is no car present. An old, stained driveway will bring down the curbside appeal, so consider redoing this for a fresh look - it will also feel great to drive over when you arrive home each day!

Lighting

Lighting is vital for the front of the house for security reasons and so that people can see where they are going once the sun goes down. There are many great types to consider that can improve the look of the home, including a lantern by the door, LED fairy lights hanging from the trees, driveway lights, or lighting in the walkway paving slabs.

Garage

If you have a garage facing out to the street then you can improve the look with a new high-quality garage door. Garages tend to feel dirty and neglected, but a bright, attractive, and secure rolling door will brighten up your garage and exterior. Places like Cornell Innovative Door Solutions will be the best place to find doors that improve both security and aesthetics.

Garden

Those with a front garden can do all kinds of things to improve the exterior of their home. This includes picking plants/planting a tree that fits with the style of the home, and adding a water feature and lighting are just a few options. It is important that you regularly maintain this garden to keep it looking its best as otherwise, it will bring down the tone of the entire house.

Gate & Fence

A dull or drab gate or fence can easily be replaced, but this is often overlooked by homeowners. A white picket or metal front gate and fence can add visual appeal especially if you have taken steps to improve your front garden (it can also make the space feel deeper too). Additionally, an arbor over the gate with plants and lighting can add plenty of charm when you first enter.

Remove Unsightly Items

One of the easiest ways to improve curbside appeal is to remove any unsightly items from the front of the house. It may be easy to keep your recycling or refuse out the front, but this can quickly bring down the look of the property so find a better place that is out of sight. You do not want to have to look at your rubbish and recycling each time you arrive!

Improving curbside appeal will completely change the way that you feel coming home each day and impress any passers-by/visitors to the home. This is how you make a first impression, but it is an area that many homeowners do not address and this can bring down the look and feel of the entire property. In addition to making it look nice, improving curbside appeal can also add value to the house which will prove to be worthwhile if you look to sell down the line.