There is no denying that the U.S loves home improvement projects, evident by data from Havard University that shows that Americans spent almost $420 billion on home improvement projects in 2020 alone. Many homeowners focus on their interior space, but the exterior is equally important since it is at the center of first impressions. Therefore, it makes sense to splurge on projects that will improve your home’s exterior look to impress neighbors, passers-by, and buyers. Below are some of the best things you can do to boost your home’s curb appeal.
- Focus on your lighting
Lighting is perhaps the most critical feature of your compound in the evenings. Therefore, it would help to install lights in strategic areas if you want your house to be noticed at night. For example, you can install lights along the walkways to highlight your nighttime movements and give your front yard an excellent appearance. Also, accent lighting is worth investing in since it can draw attention to one of your compound’s standout features, like amazing flowers or landscaping. Furthermore, broken lights around your compounds can compromise your home’s curb appeal. Unfortunately, some passers-by and buyers will use these broken lights to judge your home’s interior. Also, it may not appear like a big deal now, but it will undoubtedly play a critical role when you are selling your home. Therefore, repair or replace these landscape lights, depending on your budget and their condition.
- Replace your old windows
Old windows may not function and may make your house bad too. These windows have likely become cloudy and sustained sun damage for a long time. Also, they may be broken or wobbly and noisy. Whatever the case, these windows will look their age, so consider replacing them to give your home’s exterior a brand new look. Fortunately, you can hire reliable experts like those from the WTX Windows Doors site to handle your window replacement needs. Besides improving your home’s exterior aesthetic, new windows may allow more sunlight into your house. Additionally, new windows can make your home safer, improve overall value, and boost energy efficiency.
- Work on your roof
Your roof is one of the first things other individuals notice about your home. As such, it must be in the best shape possible to contribute to curb appeal. Indeed, it is no surprise that U.S property owners spend over $12 billion yearly repairing, recovering, and replacing their roofs. For starters, consider changing your roof if it has an ancient design. You can select from a wide range of options when it comes to choosing roofing materials, color, and design, so keep this in mind. However, it is best to choose based on your home’s size and design. On the other hand, a few tweaks to your roofing structure may be a better alternative to a complete overhaul. Therefore, please consult a local professional roofer before deciding to repair or replace your roof to get it right once and for all.
- Improve your front yard’s appearance
Your front yard is a big influencer of your home’s overall curb appeal. After all, it is likely the first thing everyone would see when passing by your property. As such, decorate your flowerbed by adding plants like ficus and pachysandra, and other beautiful shrubs. Additionally, consider adding water features to boost your front yard’s look. Water features can give your small front yard a soft, soothing look that can make visitors and passers-by stop and stare. What’s more, these features require little upkeep compared to flowers, so they are excellent one-time investments to make to improve curb appeal.
- Paint your exterior
Your exterior is exposed to various elements over the years that can make it not worth a second glance. However, a fresh lick of paint can work wonders for your exterior, so consider investing in a paint job. Many experts recommend focusing on walls, roofs, front doors, windows, and garage doors. Also, select a color that matches your property’s overall aesthetic and fits well with the landscaping. It would also be best to look at your neighbors’ houses to ensure that your new color can blend in well. Besides making your home look good, an excellent paint job also offers an extra layer of protection. As a result, your property will be able to withstand insects, dust, and weather damage, saving you from high repair costs in the future.
- Make a statement with your front door
Front doors are a great indicator of your home’s condition and one of the first things people notice about your home. Therefore, make a statement with your front door to create a lasting impression on everyone who sees it. You can paint, refinish, or wash it to simply improve its look. Alternatively, you can replace it with a sturdier and more elegant option to make it stand out. Also, your door’s hardware can make or unmake it. Therefore, remove and shine any lackluster hardware with metal polish to give your front door a touch of elegance. On the other hand, you can replace your front door’s hardware with something noticeable. For this, consider picking new hardware in a color that contrasts your door’s paint color. For example, choose black hardware for a white door. Finally, you can place a flower pot next to your front door to make it more welcoming.
- Prune bushes and trees
Bushes and trees can make your property look greener and more majestic, so they are undoubtedly worth having. However, these excellent landscape additions can do more harm than good if they become overgrown. Indeed, overgrown trees and bushes can block landscape features and views you may want to accent. Additionally, they can block your garden from getting the necessary sunlight it requires for proper growth. Consequently, invest in hand pruners, loppers, hedge sears, or pruning saws that you can use to keep your bushes and tress under control. Alternatively, you can hire a professional to handle the trimming and save time. A professional will also prevent damage to your greenery and property, keep you from getting injured, and improve your trees’ health.