Elyse Hauser
Most people only consider curb appeal when they’re trying to sell their house. But why wouldn’t you want to return to a home that looks attractive from the outside every day?
Luckily, boosting curb appeal is easier than you might think. We’ve put together some of our favorite ways to boost curb appeal fast. Even if you aren’t planning to sell your home anytime soon, these tips are for you.
From the Curb
Curb appeal starts at the property line, where your yard meets the street. Use these tips to make your home look more beautiful from the outside in.
Try Outdoor Lighting
Curb appeal applies to both day and night. A little bit of landscape lighting can go a long way toward making your house look like a home when you pull up after a long day.
How you use your outdoor lighting is up to you—just make sure it’s pleasing to the eye. You could line the walkway with lights, illuminate the garden or trees, or accent the house itself.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to either run wiring to your outdoor lights or use solar lights. Solar lights are dimmer and may not work all the time, but they’ll save you from having to hire an electrician.
Clean up Your Walkways
Outdoor paths, patios, and other walkways need maintenance from time to time. Repair or renew the surfaces as required, and pressure-wash them for a spotless clean look. You can also pressure-wash your porch or deck and siding while you’re at it. (Pressure washers are relatively inexpensive to rent, and just about anyone can learn to use one.)
No designated outdoor walkways? Consider installing some. They’re a simple way to make walking up to your home both more accessible and prettier.
Invest in Your Mailbox
The mailbox often gets neglected when it comes to curb appeal, but it can do more for your home’s appearance than you might realize.
Upgrade your beat-up old box to a pretty, modern one that syncs with your home design. They’re not expensive, and they don’t take long to install. Just make sure to install it according to your city’s regulations.
Spruce up the Garden
Your lawn, garden, trees, and any outdoor plant life needs to look pretty and well-maintained to complement your home.
You can do an elaborate landscaping overhaul with symmetrical designs that match your home’s style, or you can keep it simple with a nice lawn and a few bushes. Even small changes, like planting a single tree, can make a big difference. If you don’t have much time for maintenance, consider hiring a service, or changing your landscape design to one that’s easier to care for.
From the Outside
Now, it’s time to add new life to the outside of the house itself with these tips.
Revitalize the Front Door
If you do nothing else to your home, just fixing up the front door with a fresh coat of paint and a new doorknob can work wonders. Pick a vibrant paint color that contrasts with the house color nicely. You can choose a doorknob in whatever style fits best, from classic to quirky. This might even be an excellent time to install a more secure entry system, like a lock with a keypad.
Add New House Numbers
Are your house numbers old and dirty, or hard to read from the curb? It takes a minimal investment of time and money to update them. Just make sure to choose a color and style that goes well with your home design.
Try Porch Accents
Curtains, furniture, and strategic lighting can all make a porch look more inviting. Accent these outdoor parts of your home to turn them into pleasing spaces that draw the eye. Even if you just have a stoop, consider brightening it up with some potted plants and a doormat.
From the Inside
Finally, you can also boost your home’s curb appeal by making some small changes to the inside.
Open the Curtains
Merely opening your curtains to reveal the beautiful indoor parts of your home can make the house more eye-catching. You may not want to live every day with your curtains wide open for all to see. But when you’re trying to make an excellent first impression with your home’s curb appeal, open them up and let the light in.
Clean Your Living Spaces
If you’re going to open your curtains, make sure that what they reveal inside looks nice.
You don’t need to have a spotless home all over (unless you’re planning to show it to buyers). But you’ll feel better about coming home if you can spy a clean, clutter-free living area inside when you pull up. Keep things neat and add decorations that suit your style. If the decor on the inside syncs with the outside of the home, even better.
Add Attractive Lighting
The lighting inside your home matters just as much as the lighting outside it.
Even if you don’t decide to light your walkways, garden, or porch, a home that’s warmly lit from the inside will look more inviting. Consider trading in thick, light-blocking curtains for varieties that offer privacy, but still show a warm glow radiating from inside.
Try having a mix of lighting options like lamps, wall fixtures, and chandeliers in your living areas so you can adjust the light levels as needed. Soft, indirect light, like the light from a shaded lamp, tends to look most flattering in your home.
With these tips, you can quickly start boosting your home’s curb appeal anytime you have a few hours to spare. Even if you never sell your house, you’ll still reap the benefits of returning to a beautifully inviting space, day in and day out.
