Curb Appeal
In a perfect world, coming home feels like a hug. Home is the place where you can exhale and feel safe and secure. It is, after all, a reflection of personal style and a source of comfort. But for most, curb appeal is the first impression, and it begins before you even cross the threshold.
we’re talking curb appeal: the exterior expression of personal style, maintenance and care that makes house look like a home on the outside, a Research from Virginia Tech reported that homes with attractive curb appeal and attention to landscaping sold for 5.5 percent to 12.7 percent more than homes without. University of Michigan found similar results in a study reporting that well-manicured exteriors increased a home’s perceived value by 5 to 11 percent. The following are our nine favorite ways to achieve a refresh without breaking the bank.
Pressure Wash
Rent or borrow a pressure washer and hose down the stone or cement surfaces of the front walkway, driveway, patio or cinder block fencing. It is easier to do than you think and the results provide immediate gratification. Use caution, however. Pressure washing, even at low volumes, has the potential to damage stained or painted wood surfaces, aged brick, electrical boxes, exterior light fixtures, air conditioners, window frames and screens and roof shingles.
Keep It Clean!
Wash windows and wipe down ledges, remove cobwebs and dead plants, sweep the entrance, replace porch lights, refresh front porch furniture and decor. If you fly a flag, keep it in good condition.
Light It Up
Replace rusty or outdated porch lighting with something that sheds more light on your personal style.
Get a New Handle
Switch out the old front door handle and lockset with a new design. Or consider adding a door knocker, available in a wide and sometimes whimsical variety of sizes, shapes and finishes. Like a new piece of jewelry, a door knocker hints at your personal style before anyone even opens the door.
Welcome Mat
Doormats do more than wipe the dirt off your shoes. Offered in a range of designs and materials, welcome mats are a quick and easy way to refresh the entry. Choose a mat that is the right size for your door. An 18-inch by 30-inch mat works for a single door, while a 22-inch by 36-inch mat has better proportions for a large or double-doored entry. Bonus point for layering a 2-foot by 3-foot flat weave cotton rug beneath the doormat for an additional pop of color, print and style.
First-Class Mail
Upgrade the mailbox. If you currently have a metal box in good condition, consider spray-painting it a new color.
House Numbers
There are myriad fonts to choose from for your house numbers. If you have trouble deciding, walk through your neighborhood or drive around town to see what catches your eye. If your existing numbers just need a refresh, consider removing them and reviving their look with a coat of spray paint.
Landscaping
You don’t have to hire a professional landscaper to achieve a pretty front yard or garden, but you will have to do some research. Before spending money on new plants, type your zip code into the online USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Your zone determines which plants will thrive in your region, and which ones won’t. Also keep an eye on the yard to determine if the growing area offers full sun, partial sun or shade. Finally, keep natural resources in mind and choose drought-tolerant plants when possible. Mother Nature will thank you, and so will your water bill.
