Plant one tree, or two or three. One of the most obvious (and most impactful) ways to increase curb appeal is to add some greenery and fresh flowers. Don't worry, if you don't have the time or money to dedicate to building a garden, you can achieve the same effect by adding some pots and planters. Use plants to accentuate and frame key visual points, such as windows and entrances, and if you don't have space for a standing pot, hook one that hangs.
Even a single beautiful plant arrangement can significantly increase the exterior appearance of your home. Seventy-four percent of real estate agents recommend that sellers revisit their gardens before putting their home on the market, and 17 percent say that doing so leads to a successful sale, according to the National Association of Realtors. If that's not enough to convince you to call a gardener, keep in mind that your house could be priced up to 20% higher when you're ready to sell it. And in terms of new lighting? “To increase external appeal, I would suggest taking an environmental approach and including both upward and downward lighting,” Steckel says.
He adds that “most people opt for a softer color, such as 2400 or 2700 Kelvin, and a lower power because this light is less harmful to the animals and insects that share the neighborhood. It's a very easy project to carry out and can make a discrete but remarkable difference in the curb appeal of your home. House numbers, the front door lock, a wall-mounted mailbox and a ceiling light are elements that can add style and interest to the curb appeal of your home. If you don't have space for a set of rocking chairs, adding a small chair or bench to the porch can serve as a resting place or a practical place to take off your dirty shoes.
The symmetrical compositions of luminaires and details on the front doors create cozy entrances and increase external appeal. While patio features, such as gazebos and pergolas, are popular, it's not worth the expense of adding these elements just because of their curb appeal, of course. If you're planning to sell your home, maximizing its curb appeal is a must to get the fastest sale at the best price. The curb appeal is how your home looks from the outside or from the street, and how attractive it is to anyone who visits or passes by by car.
Pergolas, garden doors and short sections of decorative fence panels will enhance your garden and the curb appeal of your home. Mostly, all that's needed is “smaller, softer lighting to help define the space, highlight features and, of course, make it safe to walk through it,” Steckel adds. One of the cheapest and easiest ways to improve the curb appeal of your home is to ensure that entrances and hallways are spotless. Even with a small budget, there are ways to draw attention to the front door and improve curb appeal.
If your border is old or looks tired, try changing it to stone or to a decorative cast concrete edging system to improve curb appeal. Fresh cushions on garden furniture and a new welcome rug can add color to your porch and welcome potential homebuyers without ruining your wallet. Turn the entrance of your house into an attractive focal point by adding a few well-chosen and well-groomed plants to the front porch.
