Investing in Your Curb Appeal

“Curb appeal” encompasses how well the state of your home’s exterior is showcased for all passersby to see.  There are many elements to consider on the checklist of maximizing your curb appeal and showing off your home’s best side. 

 A manicured lawn is always going to go over better than an overgrown mess lacking attention and consistent maintenance.  A lawnmower and an edger go a long way, as does some proper landscaping.  Simple landscaping can give the front view of a home quite a boost, including hedges or bushes to soften the front line of a home and beds that include flowering plants or xeriscaping with drought-tolerant vegetation for low maintenance ease. 

The front door is the main focal point, so drawing positive attention to it makes a nice statement.  A couple of coats of paint in a bold shade like yellow, teal, or red can be a surprising welcome.  If your home has shutters, a fresh paint job can also freshen up the exterior.  Black shutters on a gray home are dressy, and other neutral-shaded homes can rightly be accented with everything from white shutters to shades of blue or chocolate.  Matching trim paint to shutters highlights the architectural details of a home’s shape and provides a cohesive look all the way around. 

Outdoor lighting lets your home shine after the sun goes down.  Sconce lighting fixtures mounted on each side of the front door do double duty for appearance and safety.  Lighting your front porch area can also be accomplished through can lighting installed in the ceiling over the porch or “up” lights lining the front perimeter between your home and hedges.  If you have a front walkway, it can be outlined with freestanding, solar powered stake lights or have two decorative pole lights at the end of your sidewalk by the curb. 

The little accents can go a long way as well.  An attractive mailbox, modern house numbers, a wide welcome mat, large potted plants or topiaries flanking the front door, and decorative outdoor pillows in Adirondack chairs or a porch swing can all come together to tell the neighborhood that your home is cared for in and out, and you have style to spare.  Eye-catching curb appeal says a lot about the value of your property as well as how you value the warm and welcoming place you call home, stylish home.        

 

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star September 16th.