Get Better Curb Appeal With These 10 Tips
If you want to get better curb appeal you should try these 10 tips! With this list you will be able to update the exterior of your home without breaking the bank.
If you missed my post earlier in the month, I talked about how to update your home with 10 budget-friendly DIY tips.
Today we are taking it outside and talking all about exterior updates to improve your curb appeal!
The outside of our homes can often get neglected simply because it’s outside. We don’t spend near as mush time out there as we do inside so it can be easy to overlook.
We shouldn’t ignore the exterior of our homes but we also don’t have to go overboard or shell out lots of money for the sake of it.
If you are wanting to spruce up your curb appeal then these 10 practical tips are for you.
10 practical and affordable tips to help get better curb appeal
Lighting
Make a big impact on your curb appeal with sleek and stylish light fixtures.
When we purchased our home, the original 90s style light fixtures were still here, nice and rusted to boot!
After we had our house painted (more on that to come) we switched all the fixtures for new matte black fixtures, they add a sleek look.
Here are the fixtures I used around the exterior of our home!
2-pack matte black farmhouse barn lights.
Front door refresh
Painting your front door can be a simple and quick fix that makes a big impact!
Classic shades of white, black, beige, or gray will give a timeless look. If you want to add some flair with a pop of color then try an accent color that compliments your house color.
We chose the color Accessible Beige for our front door and trim to coordinate with the paint colors White Duck on the house and Tricorn Black on the trim.
Here are some of my favorite accent colors:
Update hardware
Another pretty simple swap, but again the difference is noticeable! The hardware on your door adds the finishing touch and can give an elevated look or make a big statement depending on haw dramatic you go.
Here are a few door handles that will go a long way in improving your curb appeal.
If you have an outdated door knocker or other accents on your door, consider giving those a refresh as well!
Maybe purchasing a new handle isn’t in the budget, don’t discount the power of spray paint! If you do try the spray paint method, be sure to disassemble the handle or tape off appropriately.
House numbers sign
Add a statement with a custom house number sign!
I DIY’d our house number sign using scrap wood, wood stain, sealer, and re-used the existing house numbers. I freshened them up with some rub n buff and the result is awesome.
You can easily DIY this project, which I recommend 😉 or you can purchase new house numbers to match your style.
For a rustic look try these cast iron house numbers. Or for a ready to hang option, this custom metal address plaque would look timeless.
Garage doors
Talk about big impact! Painting or replacing your garage door can make a big visual difference when looking at your house.
If they have yellowed, have dents or scratches, this can make your home look dingy, dated, and not well kept.
Power-washing and painting is an affordable option if in good condition or if in the budget to do so replace them!
If neither of those are options for you at the moment, try a good power-wash, deep clean and adding some decorative elements like these magnetic décor pieces!
We ended up replacing our garage doors after moving in due to their age and they smelled horribly of cigarette smoke from the prior owners.
Exterior paint
We all know that painting the inside of our homes can have a dramatic impact on overall look and feel, the same is true for the exterior of our homes!
Faded, chipped, and dingy paint will make your house look run down and un-kept.
A fresh paint job can dramatically improve your curb appeal, and not to mention the value of your home!
You can opt to paint the house yourself depending on capability and access to the whole house or choose to hire out some pros and let them tackle it over a few days.
We hired out painters to repair quite a bit of wood rot and paint the entire exterior. It was well worth it for the difference it made!
When we bought the house the paint was a very faded light blue with obvious signs of wood rot and siding damage.
After the painters did their work, it looks brand new!
Landscaping
This one may seem obvious but can often be overlooked!
Even if you don’t have a green thumb, you can clear out the beds of leaves and debris and simply lay mulch for a fresh look.
If feeling adventurous, try planting some small shrubs or flowers for a brighter and revived look.
If your grass needs some help, try seeding or hiring a professional landscaper to come and asses for you!
Don’t underestimate the power of mulch, rocks, or large stones to make designated beds that look intentional and clean.
Window screens
Torn, faded, or damaged window screens can again signal dated or neglected to the outside eye.
If you’ve never done it before, replacing window screens can seem intimidating, but it’s really pretty simple!
I say that as someone who recently re-screened 15 window screens!
All you need is the existing screen frame, new screen material (measure your screen frame to get the right size), spline, and a tool to insert the spline.
Here is a whole screen replacement kit to make it easy! Again be sue to measure your existing screen frame before ordering!
Mailbox
The mailbox is a place you can get creative and show off your style! If you are updating your home to sell then stick to a classic design.
However if you just want a change, you can add some flair here to match your style.
Check the condition of the post and the box itself. You may be able to re-fresh with some wood stain or paint. Or perhaps you need to replace some parts.
Either way, a new and modern looking mailbox can be a focal point that makes your home stand out.
It can take your curb appeal from drab to fab!
Storm Door
Storm doors are not necessarily a favorite style option for everyone but I personally love having a storm door!
Depending on the region you live they can be useful while also adding a custom look to your home.
And quite simply they are a great way to watch the storms roll by. Or to watch your kids play outside as you sip your coffee from the comfort of inside.
My favorite feature of ours is the retractable screen.
Allows for that fresh air to blow through the house on those moderate Spring and Fall days, so glorious!
I love the color options on this Anderson Door by Home Depot. Per usual be sure to measure your door frame, take note of which way your door swings for handle placement, and look at hardware accessories as needed!
This white version also by Anderson has a classic look to it with a great price!
These 10 tips will surely help to better your curb appeal. Which one are you eager to try?
Have you recently made updates to your curb appeal? I’d love to hear all about it in the comments.
Looking for other affordable DIY projects to improve your space? Try these simple open shelves or use this paint wash technique on some outdated furniture.
Adding stylish touches and updates to our homes can not only better the curb appeal but help us to love our homes even more, and that we can Rejoice About!
Happy home updating!
