The front exterior of your home doesn’t just have a big impact on the home’s value — it also impacts the experience that guests have, and how you feel in your own home. Being the first thing that you see when you come home, curb appeal matters. So, whether you’re looking to sell, you’re renting out a property, or you just want to liven up the entryway, investing in curb appeal is worthwhile.
Managing properties for over 25 years, the experts at Utopia Management have mastered the art of boosting curb appeal. They’re here to deliver good news: you don’t have to break the bank to brighten up the front of your home. There are endless ways to freshen up the front exterior that don’t cost hundreds of dollars. Here are just a few options that won’t cost more than about $150:
1. Give the front door a fresh coat
Of course, we’ve got to start with the obvious: paint the front door. You’ve heard it before, and that’s because it really works. Painting your front door is one of the best ways to give your home a fresh look. If you really want to change things up, try an unexpected accent color, like a bright red, to really make the entryway pop.
2. Add potted plants
As a more affordable alternative to landscaping, or a less labor-intensive alternative to gardening, try adding flower pots. Large standing pots can be placed on the ground, and smaller pots can accent them or be placed on stands and railings. Vary the container sizes and types of plants. For balance, arrange the plants on multiple levels.
3. Let there be light
Curb appeal is still important at night; adding outdoor lighting can add a dramatic effect to the exterior after the sun goes down. Illuminate pathways and trees using landscape lighting. Solar powered lights are convenient and easy to install, and you won’t have to worry about powering them. You can also add decorative lights on the porch or near the front door. Try hanging lights, string lights, or focal piece lamps. This will also improve safety, making it easier to find your way around and deterring burglars.
4. Add an outdoor rug
Outdoor rugs are a simple solution for outdoor seating areas and porches. Just throw one down and watch it work its magic! This will bring softness to the front patio and create a more comfortable and inviting environment. You can also experiment with colors and patterns that liven up the space.
5. Window accents
There are many budget-friendly ways to accent the front windows of the home. You can install house shutters, paint the window trim a strong color, or hang window boxes and fill them with plants.
6. Refresh plain concrete
If you have basic concrete walkways or driveways in front of the house, you can liven them up with a creative concrete stain or some brick edging. This can transform plain concrete paths into something more exciting and friendly.
7. DIY landscaping
If you’re ready for a little DIY project, doing a bit of your own landscaping will have a much greater impact than potted plants alone. Create a clear, curved path leading to the front door using pebbles, large stones, or another cheap path material of your choice. Then, plant a combination of mid-sized shrubs and flowers surrounding the path. This draws attention to the main walkway to the house in a decorative and appealing way. People will notice groupings of plants more than individual flowers, so focus on what the foliage will look like as a whole rather than each plant on its own. Never underestimate the value of filler plants. You can also decorate with large rocks and other garden decor items.
8. Hang a Wreath
Wreaths are one of the simplest ways to bring attention to the front of the home. And if you think a wreath only means a circular bundle of sticks and flowers, think again. Modern wreath styles vary greatly — consider a wall planter filled with succulents.
9. Restore Asphalt
You can easily restore an old asphalt driveway by filling cracks and holes with asphalt patch. Apply sealer and your driveway will be looking good as new again.
10. Power wash everything
Okay, maybe you shouldn’t power wash everything, but seriously, this will work on any exterior surfaces that don’t look as nice as they used to. Wooden decks, concrete pathways, aluminum or vinyl siding — you can power wash it all. If you don’t have a power washer, you can rent one from a local home improvement center.
11. Make sure hardware matches
All of the metal hardware that is visible on the exterior of your home should be matching. Mailboxes, locksets, address numbers, and porch lights are easy replacements to make that keep the look of the house consistent. This is a small detail that can make a big difference.
12. Style the mailbox
Consider giving your mailbox a makeover, especially if it’s in bad shape. Repaint in a fun color. Be wary of postal regulations; you may only be able to alter the inside of the mailbox, which works well if you have a large lid. You can even stencil in a nice message to brighten your day and the mailman’s day.
