Curb appeal is often overlooked but can make or break a property’s first impression. It can also significantly impact a home’s appraised value.
Whether you’re considering selling or want to boost your home, these exterior projects are simple and cost-effective. They can be done in a day, weekend, or month.
Driveway Pavers
A driveway is essential to your home’s exterior design and can significantly increase your property’s curb appeal. While there are several options for a driveway, pavers offer superior functionality and durability. They provide excellent traction for vehicles on wet or icy surfaces and allow water to flow freely during rainstorms. Plus, they’re a more cost-effective option than traditional concrete and asphalt.
Pavers come in various materials, thicknesses, and colors and are easy to repair. The most popular types are brick, concrete, and permeable pavers. Choosing the right paver for your driveway will depend on budget, maintenance durability, and location. A reputable Central Florida hardscape company will walk you through all your options.
Driveway pavers can be laid in many patterns to add visual interest and character. For example, you could use a herringbone pattern to create a unique paved entrance to your property. Or, opt for an ashlar style with its clean lines and classic appeal. Paver stones can also create a border for your driveway or a walkway.
Most paver manufacturers offer a range of paver shapes and sizes that can be mixed to create a paving design. For instance, the Home Depot promo code collection comes in a mix of project pack sizes, allowing you to take a flexible approach to your laying plan. The pavers also have a natural finish and eased edges, making them ideal for modern and traditional homes.
Landscaping
Adding landscaping is one of the best ways to boost your property’s curb appeal. It can be costly and time-consuming, but it adds value and can make your home more welcoming to guests, friends, family, and potential buyers.
A tidy front yard, achieved meticulously with the help of a lawn mower, trimmer, edger, leaf blower and mulcher; and decorated with well-manicured grass, colorful flowers, and decorative shrubs, shows that you care about your property and take pride in it. You might also consider planting saplings that will eventually grow into trees and provide shade — this will help lower your energy bills, improving the overall efficiency of your home.
Hardscaping, which includes walkways, patios, and stonework, can also enhance your home’s exterior. It can create a sense of harmony between the landscape and your house, making it feel like a single unit. A paved walkway is a great way to direct guests to your door without tripping them through the lawn you spend so much time caring for. Stones and concrete do not require the same maintenance as a grass lawn, saving you a lot of time and money in the long run.
Other outdoor projects worth investing in include a front porch or deck, an upgraded fence, and even new shutters; you could attempt to DIY these projects or even hire a professional handyman near me in Dunnellon (or wherever is more local to you) to complete the work to a higher level if you are not yet confident in your skills. A black trim or accent on your shutters can work well with a more modern or farmhouse home style, adding a touch of contrast that makes the whole house pop.
Decks & Patios
Adding or upgrading your backyard deck and porch is one of the best ways to increase your home’s curb appeal. These are places where guests and neighbors will likely gather during fair weather, and they are great spaces to display flower pots, a bird feeder, or other outdoor decor items. If you’re considering putting your house on the market, a deck addition or porch upgrade boosts a home’s overall value. A screened porch could be a wise investment, as it offers protection from bugs and other animals, and stops debris like leaves getting in, therefore keeping it clean.Â
Your front door is the eyeliner of your home, so it’s essential to make an excellent first impression. A freshly painted door provides confidence in security and complements the architectural style of your property.
Planting colorful flowers in the parking strip and the garden is a fast cure for lousy curb appeal. Choose plants native to your area so you won’t spend much time watering or nurturing the flora.
Give your home a finishing touch with a garden gate, arbor, or short sections of decorative fence panels. These easy-to-build additions add a pop of color and contrast to your garden. For more ambiance, set up fountains in the yard that create a soothing gurgling sound or feature beautiful designs like this glass birdbath from Better Homes & Gardens ($26, Walmart). Weather-resistant artwork such as metal cutouts and sculptures can enhance your landscape and provide a visual focal point.
Lighting
Adding lighting is a great way to improve your home’s curb appeal, especially at night. Strategically placed lighting will illuminate walkways and add an elegant, upscale look to your exterior. In addition, lighting is a crime deterrent and can help prevent accidents by highlighting potential hazards. Consider installing scones, over-the-door, or tree lights to give your home an upgraded look.
Getting your home’s curb appeal up to par is one of the most popular ways to increase a property’s value. Still, it can also offer other benefits like increased satisfaction upon pulling into the driveway after a long day or feeling a sense of pride as you welcome guests onto your property. Whatever the reason, improving your home’s appearance should be a priority, and these exterior remodeling projects can do just that.
A crumbling front stoop, missing windows, and unattractive paint showed that this 1907 cottage needed a makeover. A new porch, front door, and fresh coat of paint helped revitalize this unique facade with cottage charm.
