How to Up the Curb Appeal of an Older Home without Overspending

First impressions matter and the exterior of your home is no different. The exterior of your house, from the yard, windows, and doors, even your mailbox, all contribute to curb appeal. It’s what people first see when they drive by or visit your home. There’s plenty of satisfaction in having a home that makes others take a second glance. Better yet, it doesn’t cost a fortune to improve a home’s curb appeal. Easy and inexpensive fixes like the ones listed here will produce quick, quality results.

Paint the Front Door

Painting your front door in a bold color but one that matches the rest of your exterior will definitely add brightness and revive your home’s look. Make sure you do the proper prep work before painting and choose a paint that will hold up to the weather. You can even add a whole new door from places like Best Doors for a fix with a little more investment. Painting the trim or shutters is another great idea that can give a great change in the look of your house.

Improve the Yard

There are so many options when it comes to the yard, including basics such as keeping the lawn trimmed and pulling weeds. You can also plant bushes, shrubs, flowers, and trees, but simply investing some sweat equity will help as well. If you decide to plant a tree, make sure you consider how big it will get and how it will affect your house.

Exterior Lighting

Exterior lighting fixtures are often inexpensive and a great way to improve curb appeal. Moreover, you can illuminate the entryway to make it safer. If possible, look for fixtures that have the same mounting system as your current ones.

Upgrade the Mailbox

A mailbox is often an afterthought, but can certainly add to your home’s exterior appeal. New mailboxes usually start around $20 and will help to pull your whole style together.

Install Flower Boxes

Flower boxes will add an instant splash of color to your house and can be installed both below the windows and on porch railings. The flowers and soil used to fill them may actually cost more than the window boxes themselves.

Wash Your Home’s Exterior

Washing the dirt, grime, and mildew off of your house – accomplished with a bucket of soapy water and long-handled brush – is a simple way to add curb appeal, and experts say that it can add thousands of dollars to your home’s value.

Install New House Numbers

House numbers can look old and faded over time, but are easily and cheaply replaced. Match the numbers with the finish that’s on your exterior light fixtures to be sure they look cohesive.

Adding to your home’s curb appeal is easy if you know what to do. Use these tips to make sure it looks tied together without overspending.