Add Some Curb Appeal

You Never Looked So Good

Curb appeal is an incredibly important part of selling a home. It demonstrates care and attention to detail. You can have the best home on the market but if the outside looks ratty, most buyers will pass it on by. Even if you're not selling, these tips can help you have the best looking house on the block. Here are some things you can do to help the outside appearance of your home.

1. Replace old hardware.   Look at things like the lock, the light, house numbers, etc. Make sure they work together and the finish looks right. Brass for older homes, brushed nickel for newer ones.
2. Dress up the front door.   Give it some color to make it pop. Clean up the handle and around it. Make sure no dirty spots are on it.
3. Make a grand entrance.   Add molding to the front entry to set it apart from the rest of the house.
4. Makeover the mailbox.   Paint or stain it to match the house and trim. Build a structure around it to set it apart.
5. Install outdoor lighting.   Use lights to accent the house and provide a little more evening security.
6. Create a garden.   Buy some ready-made planters or create your own. Use it to set off the front entry.
7. Renew planter beds.   Prune the plants, take out the weeds, add new mulch. Do all those things you've been meaning to do to make it look better.
8. Create a new planter bed.   Look at locatinos like the front corners of the yard, along the driveway and immediately in front of the house. Mix up the plant sizes and colors and line it with stones or precast concrete.
9. Install window boxes.   Paint the boxes to match your house's trim and choose plants with complementary colors.
10. Add arbors or fence panels.   Get arbors, short sections of fence and garden gates. Paint them to match the trim on the house.
11. Add outdoor pieces.   Look for items like bird baths, wind chimes and water fountains.
12. Add shutters or accent trim.  
13. Replace gutters and down spouts.   If your gutters have seen better days, replace them. Make sure the drainage is at least three feet away from the foundation. Clean the gutters, too, while you're up there.
14. Tile your door step.   Tile or paint a design that contrasts with the front floor or stoop.
15. Spiff up the driveway.   Get rid of the weeds, fill the cracks and give it a good power wash. Consider lining it with stones or pavers.
16. Build a walk way.   You can color the concrete you have and edge it with stones, or rip it up and lay down pavers.
17. Upgrade the railings.   Look for good wood or metal components and make sure they match your home's color and design.
18. Renew the paint, siding and trim.   Consider new paint, siding or trim. Maybe replace them with some colorful options.
19. Add stone veneer.   Use it to accent columns and concrete foundations. You can look at natural stone or manufactured stone.

You can find the original article from Better Homes and Gardens here.