Whether your house is on the market or you just want it to make you smile every time you come home, curb appeal is key. Of course, you want it to be clean and nicely painted, and the house numbers should be easily visible from the street. Here are four ways you can do a little extra sprucing to give it that magazine-quality appeal.
Create Seating Areas
Seating areas in the front of your home give an inviting and restful first impression. They also create a feeling of neighborhood and tell home buyers they are in a safe area. While a chaise or rockers on the front porch are a classic way to say “put your feet up,” a pair of Adirondack chairs or a double glider under an arbor is equally enticing. You can even build your own tree bench to showcase your favorite shady spot.
Upgrade Your Doors
Your front door is one of the first things people notice about your home, making it a focal point for curb appeal. Many homeowners choose to shop swinging saloon doors here to add a touch of character and uniqueness to their entryway. Upgrading your doors, whether it’s the main entrance or secondary doors, can instantly enhance the overall aesthetic of your home. A fresh coat of paint, stylish hardware, or a completely new design can transform your house’s exterior, creating a welcoming and polished appearance.
Make Green Space
Sometimes, particularly in urban areas, green space is lacking in the front of the home. You can add vegetation easily in the form of containers or other clever holders to add life and color to your home’s facade. Try these ways of greening up your house:
- Install a row of planter boxes along the foundation to hide cement and give the impression of permanent shrubbery
- Flank topiary trees on either side of the front door
- Place window boxes filled with herbs, flowers and trailing vines under each window
- Hang a wreath on your front door and change it with the seasons
- Suspend hanging baskets along the front porch or over the stoop
- Use giant metal-framed house numbers filled with moss or tiny succulents
Use High-end Garage Doors
In the United States especially, garage doors are often a focal point of the home, with the garage situated at the front of the house. Don’t let such a large amount space become an eyesore. Take your front yard from drab to fab by buying the best garage doors you can afford and matching them to the style of your home and front door.
There are a wealth of gorgeous garage doors on the market today, some so beautiful you’ll want to upgrade the rest of your home to be on par. Here are a few suggestions:
- Painted carriage house-style doors with wrought iron hinges for Colonial homes
- Natural wood barn doors with rustic hardware for stone or brick homes
- Craftsman-style doors to coordinate with bungalow homes
- Industrial-style doors made of steel and frosted glass for modern homes
You can even use garage doors for non-garage spaces to open up a wall in your kitchen or great room and create a seamless indoor/outdoor space. On the interior, these can lend a sleek, loft-like feel to contemporary homes and a rustic look to older houses, like being in a converted barn or wine cellar.
If you hire a dealer like Aladdin Doors, you can also get professional installation, including placing openers and lighting. Garage doors have become such a great new way to increase a home’s value that they are a good business investment for real estate professionals and home flippers.
Add Interesting Walkways
Get rid of blah walkways and replace them with something that makes people want to approach your front door. Think about the style and materials of your home, and create a walkway that keeps with that theme. A modern home might look wonderful with stamped concrete or pebbles, while a more traditional home can be highlighted with slate or cobblestones. For a seaside look, even in the desert, try crushed shells or a wooden boardwalk like at the beach.
You only get one chance to make a first impression with your home, so give your curbside view as much attention as the rest of the house. Prospective buyers will be wowed, and if you intend to stay put, your home will feel just a little more like that proverbial castle.
