Tips for Improving the Curb Appeal of Your Home

There are countless ways — both big and small — to improve the exterior of your home, enhancing its overall value. Below are ten tips for enhancing the curb appeal of your home.

1. Driveway Edging

Adding a border of stone to your driveway can give it a clear, defined look. While some choose to keep the edging level with the driveway, elevated edging can help prevent drivers from accidentally veering off the driveway and onto your front lawn.

2. Sidewalk Lights

A row of lights that leads your guests to your front door can give a very friendly and inviting appearance. Lighting the dark spots near your home also helps promote safety and security. Solar lights can be ideal for this purpose, as they don’t require any extra electricity – just stick them in the ground, and they typically run for at least six hours (into the late night / early morning).

3. Flowers

There are many places where flowers can greatly enhance the look of your home’s exterior, such as along the sidewalk, hanging out of baskets, or in gardens. Planting flowers is not difficult and relatively inexpensive, yet this can make a big difference in the curb appeal. Your local nursery can recommend which flowers grow best in your area. Perennial plants are ideal, as they needn’t be repurchased and replanted every year.

4. Window Boxes

Another place to add flowers would be in window boxes. These boxes add color and charm to your home, yet are fast and easy to set up. While wooden boxes add a cottage-like feel to the home, metal boxes made from copper or iron can provide a look that is more traditional.

5. Gutters

Although rain gutters are generally considered more for their functionality than their aesthetics, you can add an elegant look to your home by upgrading your rain gutters to copper, or replacing your gutters with beautiful and unique rain chains. Your local professionals can advise you which options are best for the climate in your area, as what would work well in a city such as Boston may not be ideal for a city such as Los Angeles.

6. Finishing Touches

The number on your house, the mailbox, the overhead light fixture and even the lock on the door are all things that can detract from the appearance of your home if they look out of date or worn out. Consider coordinating these with a common theme such as bronze or nickel.