6 Ways to Boost the Curb Appeal of Your Home

Oct 25

The curb appeal of your home acts as a first impression. From potential buyers to neighbours who are simply walking by, the appearance of your home can provide inspiration and leave others feeling curious about what the rest of your home looks like. While we agree that you should never judge a book by its cover, the right approach to curb appeal can go a long way - especially for those who are planning to sell their home.

Let’s take a closer look at seven of the best ways to boost the curb appeal of your home and how you can bring the appearance back to life.

1. Painting

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for the exterior of your home. Whether you’re looking to touch up problem areas or apply an entirely new colour, the simple act of painting your house can really turn heads.

If painting the entire exterior of your home is a bigger job than you’re looking to tackle, why not consider simply painting the door? We suggest sticking to a contrasting colour that is either neutral or applicable to all seasons. For instance, various shades of red, green and blue are all fantastic year-round options.

2. Update Hardware

Updating old or dated hardware can really pull the curb appeal of your home together. Hardware that you may want to update or replace completely can include:

Mailbox
House numbers
Overhead lighting
Door handle
Lock
Railing

Once you’ve invested both time and money into the exterior of your home, something as simple as replacing an older doorknob or updating the house numbers can act as the finishing touches.

3. Landscaping

Leave your neighbours speechless and potential buyers eager for more with the right landscape design. No matter how intricate or modest your landscape design may be, the simple act of cleaning up your yard and garden can truly make all the difference.

It all starts with a plan. Consider factors such as your lawn, garden, walkways, exterior lighting, and maintenance. Once you have an idea of which design would complement your home and lifestyle best, it’s time to bring it to life.

At the very least, we suggest ensuring that your front lawn is maintained with regular mowing, weed removal, watering, and edging. For those who are looking to add a little extra, gardens full of greenery with a splash of seasonal colour can really turn heads.

Don’t forget to add your in-ground lighting and clean up the driveway and walkway areas!

4. Add Seasonal Flare

No matter the time of year, there is always something that can be added to the exterior of your home. Here are some ideas to help you get started, based on the season!

Spring

Spring flower planter, complete with green plants and colourful flowers
Cheery front door mat with a saying like: “Hello Spring” or “Here Comes the Sun!”
Flower or greenery wreath for the front door

Summer

Summer flower planter, complete with plants that fare well in the heat and sun
Comfortable seating, tables and, of course, bright throw pillows
Summer decor, such as a vintage watering can, flower pots or candles

Fall

Fall planter and/or potted mums
Pumpkins, hay bales, gourds, and corn stalks
Layer your seasonal front door mat with a patterned mat underneath

Winter

Winter planter, complete with cedar, pine, birch, cranberries, and a bow
Elegant wreath that matches your winter decor
Front door wooden sign that says “Welcome” or “Happy Holidays”

How will you decorate your front porch this season?

5. Balance & Symmetry

There’s nothing quite as calming to the human eye than balance and symmetry. Ensure consistency in your curb appeal by first standing from the street to look at the front of your house. Don’t be afraid to mix it up and move things around if the elements appear unbalanced.

For instance, if you choose to have a seating area on one side of your porch, add a planter and decor to the other side and fill the empty space. The same can be said for creating a consistent and cohesive landscape design.

If you aren’t sure or are second guessing yourself, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it be a family member, neighbour or landscape expert, they can provide you with an outside perspective on the symmetry of your home and even help you brainstorm ways to improve the overall appearance.

6. Exterior Lighting

Nothing quite pulls the aesthetic of a house together like exterior lighting.

When illuminating the front of your home, we suggest using a combination of in-ground garden lighting, walkway lighting, fence lighting, and lights for the side of your house. To improve the safety of your home, we also recommend installing a security light, one that can either be turned on inside or by movement outside.

For the backyard, we encourage you to get creative! To get started, try incorporating a variety of the lighting suggestions listed above, along with string lighting for your patio or gazebo area.

At the end of the day, exterior lighting can not only help improve the appearance of your home at night, but also increase safety, security and enjoyment.

Thinking of Selling Your Home?

Whether it’s time to list your home or you’re considering the idea, boosting the curb appeal of your house is a great place to start. For more information or help getting started, get in touch with us today. We can help you list your home in the Kitchener-Waterloo region and/or find your dream home.