When it comes to home renovations, few projects will give you greater returns on your investment than updating your exterior. After all, first impressions matter, particularly to potential home buyers.
While many homeowners will turn to kitchen remodels to add value to their home, such lucrative projects can be a costly investment. Enhancing your home’s front yard, on the other hand, can do wonders to increasing your home’s curb appeal, and the good thing is that creating outdoor charm can be done on a small budget.
These low-cost curb appeal improvements can be done by any homeowner, with just a little elbow grease.
1. Upgrade Your Letterbox
The finishing touches to your home’s exterior are small changes but can make a big impression. Your home’s letterbox is an integral part of your house’s exterior. Upgrading your home’s letterbox is a cost-effective way to give your home a nice and finished look.
When choosing among wall mounted, post mounted or freestanding letterboxes, look for a letterbox that fits the outdoor design of your home.
If your home has a contemporary feel, for example, consider installing a letterbox in stainless steel, black stainless steel and galvanised steel. If you prefer a letterbox with a rusted look, a galvanised steel letterbox can undergo a special treatment that will achieve this specific appearance.
2. Install New Numerals
Antiquated or faded house numbers do your home no favors.
Fortunately, installing new numerals can add a touch of modernity that potential homebuyers will notice. As an inexpensive way to improve curb appeal, updating your home’s numerals can be done in a variety of ways.
From using stick-ons, screw-ons, or glow in the dark numerals, installing new street numbers is a creative way to add an elegant finish to your home’s exterior.
3. Add Window Boxes
Looking to add color and charm beyond dressing the front door? Consider installing window boxes. Depending on the style of your home’s exterior windows, you can install metal finishes such as copper or iron. Alternatively, go provincial with painted wood boxes.
If budget permits, think about upgrading or replacing your existing windows to triple glazed windows. This is a particularly good idea if you’re looking to sell an old, antiquated home.
4. Create symmetry
Symmetrical compositions create welcoming exteriors and boost curb appeal. Adding exterior symmetry through flanking light fixtures and front door accents such as urn planters can beckon potential homebuyers to step inside your home.
Symmetry encourages unique visual details that will help your home stand out without you having to spend a fortune.
5. Add Outdoor Seating
Installing a patio adds a cozy style to your home. By adding outdoor seating, not only do you create an inviting outdoor living space, but you also provide your home with an outdoor escape.
If you’re looking to design the front of your home with an outdoor living space, scale it to size.
Add furniture that fits the size of your porch area. If your outdoor space is narrow, adding a bench and a small side table will do the trick. Bigger spaces can accommodate more decorative features such as a porch swing or a pair of cozy rocking chairs.
6. Set Out Planters
For some, a backyard garden is more than a weekend DIY project. You can create curb appeal in a day by using container gardens. Container gardens are easily found at garden centers and add a welcoming and colorful feel to your home’s exterior.
The best part about a container garden arrangement is that it is quick and affordable DIY project, even for those without a green thumb. A diverse range of plants can create a dynamic outdoor setting that will add colorful appeal all year round.
7. Illuminate Focal Points
Your home’s curb appeal should be seen at all hours of the day.
Adding lighting at focal points and entryways creates a great impression on potential buyers driving by your property. Installing outdoor light fixtures such as accent lighting can make a huge impact on your home’s curb appeal.
Outdoor lighting can also serve a second purpose.
A well-lit yard and properly illuminated exterior can help deter would-be intruders, increasing your home’s safety and security. Adding lights with motion detectors can increase visibility outdoors in the unfortunate event that unsavory characters try to sneak up to your property.
The right outdoor lighting arrangement can create a warmer, safer, and more inviting exterior that makes your home stand out for all the right reasons.
Adding Curb Appeal in a Day
These DIY solutions are not only affordable projects; many can also be done in a weekend or even just in a day.
These outdoor home renovation projects can be done even without a big budget. When done right, these DIY solutions can draw attention to your home’s exterior, making it more appealing to guests, passers-by, and more importantly, potential home buyers.
Even if you aren’t in the market to sell anytime soon, making a few changes to your home’s outdoor space creates a fresh and welcoming environment you’ll be glad to come home to every day.
