Increasing Curb Appeal

I saw an ad for a book entitled 197 Ways to Have More Curb Appeal.  I don’t know all of them, and I don’t want to.  Here are the 15 or 20 ways I think will give you the most bang for your buck and make the most difference to the appearance of your home. 

They are in no particular order of importance.  It’s up to you to decide what you think is appropriate for your home, and what will do the most to enhance curb appeal.  Here they are:

Install outdoor lighting

Landscape lighting makes a huge impact on your home's appearance, while also providing safety and security.  Fixtures can add accent lighting to trees or the house or can illuminate a walking path. If you aren't able to use lights that require wiring, install solar fixtures (but understand that their light levels are not as bright or as reliable).

Replace old hardware

House numbers, the entry door lockset, a wall-mounted mailbox, and an overhead light fixture are all elements that can add style and interest to your home's exterior.  These elements add the most curb appeal when they function collectively. Oiled-bronze finishes suit traditional homes, while brushed nickel suits more contemporary ones.

Renew planter beds

Get garden beds into shape by pruning, pulling weeds, planting flowers, and adding new mulch.  If your border is old or tired-looking, try upgrading to stone or a decorative cast-concrete edging system.

Create symmetry

Symmetry is not only pleasing to the eye, it's also the simplest to arrange. Symmetrical compositions of light fixtures and front-door accents create welcoming entries. When a  door is flanked by two sidelights, or two planters, it makes a difference.

Dress up the front door

Your front door is the focal point of your home’s curb appeal.  Make a statement by giving your front door a blast of color or by installing a custom wood door. Clean any dirty spots around the knob, and polish the door hardware. Your entry should also reflect the interior, so choose a wreath that reflects your personal style.

Upgrade your mailbox

Mailboxes should complement the home and express the homeowner's personality. Dress up posted boxes by staining or painting the wooden post to match the house's trim and woodwork.

Create an instant garden

Container gardens add a welcoming feel and colorful appeal to any home exterior -- quickly and affordably. You can buy ready-made containers from garden centers or create your own with your favorite plants. For most landscapes, a staggered, asymmetrical arrangement works best.

Add outdoor art

Give your yard a little spunk by adding weather-resistant artwork. Choose pieces that complement your home's exterior elements. Birdbaths, metal cutouts, sculptures, and wind chimes are good choices for outdoor art. Water sculptures (fountains) not only function as yard art, but the burbling sounds soothe and make hot days feel cooler. Place fountains on level ground in optimum hearing and sight vantage points. Avoid spots in leaf-dropping areas.

Enhance your entry

Even with a small budget, there are ways to draw attention to your front door. Molding acts like a picture frame when applied around a doorway.

Add shutters or accent trim

Shutters and trim add a layer of beauty to your home's exterior. Shutters also control light and ventilation, and provide additional security. Exterior shutters can be made of wood, aluminum, vinyl, composite, or fiberglass.

Replace gutters and downspouts

If your home has an older gutter system, odds are it's also suffering from peeling paint, rust spots, or other problems that can convey a sense of neglect. Replace old systems. Copper systems, while pricier, convey a look of quality.

Renew paint, siding, and trim

An exterior facelift (new paint, siding, or trim details) automatically transforms the look of a home. Any obvious defects, such as cracked or rotting material, can downgrade your curb appeal and diminish the value of your house.

Apply stone veneer

Stone is a great option for dressing up exterior features such as concrete foundations, column footings, and other masonry details. Natural and manufactured stone can be costly options for large areas, but both are affordable and well suited for use as accents.

Dress up the driveway

If your driveway is cracked or stained or has vegetation sprouting from it, you can upgrade it without doing a complete redo. First repair the cracks and stains (and kill the weeds), then dress it up by staining the concrete.

Add arbors or fence panels

Arbors, garden gates, and short sections of decorative fence panels will enhance your curb appeal. These can be found in easy-to-build kits or prefab sections you simply connect together. For best results, paint or stain these items with colors already on your house.

Install window boxes

Window boxes offer a fast, easy way to bring color and charm to your home exterior. Choose boxes made from copper or iron for a traditional look, or painted wood for a cottage feel.  Choose flowers and plants to suit your lighting conditions and color scheme.

Build a walkway

Well-designed walkways make your home feel warm and inviting. For a dramatic improvement to a straight concrete path, replace it with a contoured one made of stone or brick. For a less costly upgrade, apply a colored concrete resurface to the old walkway, then edge with brick or stone borders.

Upgrade railings

Porch and stoop railings can deteriorate quickly if not treated properly. If your railings are past their prime, look for good quality components to replace the existing material. Make sure the color, scale, design, details, and material are compatible with the home.