Are you looking for some relatively quick, easy, and maybe even cheap ways to make your home look better? Then look no further because we’ve got you covered — on the outside, at least!
A well-maintained appearance can boost your property value by up to 7%, while also making your home more inviting to guests. Plus, there’s that satisfying feeling of pride every time you pull into your driveway.
Sure, some exterior updates can get pricey – like a full landscaping overhaul or replacing all your windows. But here’s the thing: there are plenty of budget-friendly ways to boost your curb appeal that won’t empty your wallet. That’s why we’ve put together this guide of ways you can give the outside of your house a great makeover without breaking the bank!
1. Mix It Up With Your Mailbox
It might seem like a really small change, but swapping up the look of your mailbox can have a surprisingly big impact on the look of your home! It is often one of the first things people notice, and, as Better Homes & Gardens shares, old, outdated, or even dirty mailboxes can give off a lackluster vibe. Swap it out for something that looks good and fits your style to set the tone for your whole home.
2. Yard Cleaning
Like with swapping up your mailbox, cleaning up your yard is a relatively quick and cheap way to make your whole home look nicer. Get out and trim up the bushes, make sure your flowerbeds look nice, and tidy up leaves that might be littered across the area. Best of all, you can make this a regular part of your routine to make sure your home continues looking good.
3. Add Outdoor Lighting
There’s just something about a light shining out on a dark night, welcoming you home, that makes your entire front porch and yard seem way more welcoming than before. Plus, you don’t have to make huge changes — House Beautiful suggests even small swaps can help make your home more appealing to you and visitors.
4. Go Bold With Your Front Door
If you want to make a fun statement right from the get-go, the team at House Beautiful tells us to focus on the front door! You can always swap out an old door for something nicer and newer, or if you want to save a few bucks, paint it a bold, eye-catching color! Pick something that complements the look of your home but still stands out, like a vivid blue or bright red, to give your space a real focal point.
5. Cohesive Color Scheme
It’s never a good idea to jump into a home reno or update project without having a clear idea of what you want to do. To boost the curb appeal of your home, Real Simple says to pick a color scheme that you like and stick with it. This could include flower beds, doors, and paint. Keeping it in the same color family makes things look nice and helps make things easier on you when it comes to decorating.
6. Update the Fence
Unless there is something wrong with your fence, you probably don’t think about it too often. In fact, it’s fairly common to ignore your fence until there’s a hole or it is falling down. The Spruce says that one easy way to freshen up the look of the outside of your home is to update the fence, either by upgrading it to a newer one or simply by repairing and repainting or staining the whole thing. You’d be surprised by how nice a fresh coat of stain might make your fence look!
7. Pops of Color
For real curb appeal, go colorful! Some people might like the black-and-white, or black-and-grey approach, but for best results, sticking to something bright is better. Modern colors, including yellow, red, purple, or orange are totally acceptable, says House Beautiful, to add visual interest and spice up your landscape. Try beautiful bushes, painting the door, or any other way of popping in some color you can think of.
8. Power Wash Your House
Cleaning the outside of your house can’t make that much of a difference, can it? You’d be surprised! Better Homes & Gardens suggests power washing the exterior of your home for a fairly cheap “upgrade” that takes more time and energy than anything else. Being cleaner will make your exterior look fresher and, thus, nicer. It can bring out the original colors without having to repaint. Typically, power washing is safe for most surfaces, so whether you have wood or vinyl, concrete, or brick, you won’t damage anything just by cleaning. If you’re not sure, do a spot test in an inconspicuous area.
9. Window Boxes
One thing I have tried myself when it comes to upgrading the look of my home is window boxes — and you don’t even have to go crazy here! I personally bought some window-hanging boxes with lightweight plastic frames that hook on the frame. These boxes make a perfect place for adding cute flowers without having to come up with a gardening plan.
10. Porch Painting
The team at The Spruce says another good way to improve your home’s curb appeal is to make sure that your porch is perfectly painted. Like your fence, a fresh coat of paint or a touch-up to an old stain can make a world of difference. Choose colors that are complimentary to your door and shutters so that everything matches.
11. Hanging Planters
Even if you don’t have a lot of open space or a front yard to do a lot with, Martha Stewart suggests that you can still take advantage of vertical space with hanging planters. Hanging baskets filled with colorful flowers or hanging vines are the perfect way to add curb appeal without blocking space. Coordinate flower colors with your home to tie it all together.
12. Add a Water Feature
You don’t need a full-on fountain or waterfall in your front yard to catch the eye and add to your home’s curb appeal. The team at Real Simple says that adding something like a small birdbath or even a pollinator dish with a small sprinkler is still more than enough to create some much-needed visual interest.
13. New Numbers
And, finally, sticking with the “small but mighty” change for curb appeal: swap out old, small numbers for nice new ones. Martha Stewart has it right here: your house numbers are typically forgotten or ignored, but changing them for a larger plaque or a more stylish and modern one can make a huge difference with a relatively small budget.