First impressions matter. Even if you’re not selling your home, you’d be surprised how much the exterior of your home impacts how you feel about it. It’s the first thing people see when they visit and the first thing you see when you get home at the end of a long day.
There are countless posts that listways to completely overhaul your home’s exterior, costing you immense amounts of time and money. This isn’t one of those posts.
Instead, here are 6 easy and low-cost ways to change the entire look of your home, so your curb appeal is better than ever before.
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Spruce up the landscaping
For starters, take a look at your yard and see where you can add some greenery or color. Adding just a single tree in the front yard, or perhaps a bed of flowers, can make a big difference.
Don’t let botanical gardens deceive you, anyone can successfully grow in their own backyard. And as long as you’re not choosing anything ornamental or exotic this can be a relatively low-cost, yet very impactful, option. Just make sure it’s a plant that will hold up well in your climate zone.
Looking to spend even less on your yard? Then keep it even simpler by just tidying up your yard by pruning back bushes, removing unsightly or dangling tree limbs, and clearing out weeds. Maintaining your yard can also make a drastic difference, and it takes is a rake and a lawnmower!
Powerwash your walkway
Whether you have a stone, brick, or concrete walkway leading to your front door, you know that it gets grungy in a way that seems irreversible. While power washing can be tedious, it’s an easy and relatively quick way to make your home and yard look brighter and new.
All you’ll need is a powerwasher, and a bit of patience, but the difference is often astounding. (Bonus tip: Depending on what material your home exterior is made out of, it can be power washed, too.)
Restain your porch and deck
Porches and decks suffer a lot of wear and tear, between heavy usage and exposure to the elements. Make them look new again with refinishing.
If you’re willing to get your hands dirty and put in the effort to DIY, re-staining your deck can be a low-cost option to boost your curb appeal. The most difficult part of re-staining your deck is prepping it, by thoroughly washing, repairing, and sanding the surface.
If you go the professional route, it’s very easy to refinish your deck (because someone else is doing it!), but will likely cost you a pretty penny.
Add outdoor lighting
Come nighttime, you can still have great curb appeal with some well-placed outdoor lighting. Rather than a blinding spotlight, create a bit more atmosphere with decorative lighting around your walkways. Not only will it look nice and create a beautifully dramatic effect, but it’s a great security feature too.
Replace hardware
Small changes can make a big impact. Replace that old, rusty mailbox with something that will enhance, rather than blend in with, your home.
Switch out the address numbers on your house to something more modern and impactful. As long as the numbers are clear and visible from the road, the sky’s the limit.
You would be surprised how much of an impact the hardware of your front door has on your home’s overall curb appeal. Changing the entire look of your home has never been easier than replacing your entry door knobs, locks, and knockers.
Paint your door or shutters (or both!)
Last but not least, a good coat of paint is quite possibly the easiest and most cost-effective way of completely changing your home’s appearance. Since the door of your home is your focal point, start there. And while you’re at it, why not take down the shutters, sand them, and slap on a coat of paint, too?
Painting can take time and patience, but by only doing the doors and shutters, rather than the whole home, you’ll save some time and still change the entire look of your home.
Be sure to do it right the first time. For the best paint job, use tape for sharp lines and reduced cleanup, and let the paint fully dry between coats. A good paintjob can last 10-15 years with proper maintenance.
Curb appeal is important, but home renovations don’t have to break the bank. By following any or all of these six easy, DIY tips, you can have your home looking refreshed and renewed. And your wallet will thank you, too.
