So You Want to Improve Curb Appeal? Do These 3 Things First
One of the most common things I hear from homeowners is that they want to improve their home's curb appeal. But I also hear this: "I don't know where to start!"
I've had hundreds of consultations with homeowners. Across the board, knowing where to begin is the hardest part for almost everyone.
Today I’ll share three basic principles for boosting your home's curb appeal. Even if you've already started, give this a read so you don’t make the same mistakes I did.
What Most Homeowners Miss
Before we get started, let’s look at some common mistakes people make without a good starting plan:
They get lost in the "Pinterest perfect" ideas.
They procrastinate with excuses (weather, budget, time).
They focus on unimportant things (seasonal decorations).
They want to tackle too much at once.
These mistakes are normal. My wife and I have experienced these ourselves. Let me help you not make the same mistakes.
Here's my short list of top priorities to focus on when you're preparing to improve your curb appeal.
Priority 1: What specific area needs the most attention?
A successful curb appeal project shouldn’t cover too many issues at once.
While "making my house look better" is a great goal, you should narrow it down to something like "improving the front entrance" or "updating the landscaping."
To get specific, ask yourself:
What parts of my home's exterior look the most neglected?
What do I notice first when I arrive home?
What can I change to make the most significant impact?
When you focus on one area first, you’ll accomplish something faster, which can help motivate you to move on to the next.
Priority 2: What would make your home stand out?
Next, you'll want to look at what ways you can make your place stand out.
Try these 4 tactics to make your home memorable:
Highlight your unique features: Maybe your home has a charming porch, beautiful old trees, or a unique architectural style. Emphasize these features.
Develop a consistent style: Create a look that ties together different elements of your exterior. You might choose a color scheme or a specific type of plant that ties everything together.
Offer a unique combination of elements: Instead of just focusing on one aspect, consider combining landscaping, lighting, and small architectural features like shutters or house numbers. Start with one small area, learn what else can enhance it, and expand your efforts over time.
Constantly maintain your improvements: Make sure your landscaping is always trimmed, paint is touched up, and your entryway is clean. Regular maintenance makes a big difference.
Use your home's features, your personal style, and a consistent approach.
Priority 3: Keep It Simple
Not everyone wants the maintenance of a garden full of flowers or intricate landscaping.
Keeping it simple can be just as effective in boosting curb appeal, especially for those who prefer a low-maintenance approach.
Here are 4 ways to keep it simple:
Choose low-maintenance plants: Go for native plants or hardy shrubs that don’t require a lot of watering or care.
Focus on clean lines: Keep your lawn trimmed, pathways clear, and remove any clutter or unnecessary decorations.
Use quality over quantity: A few well-chosen and well-placed elements can make a stronger impact than a lot of smaller, less cohesive items.
Invest in durable materials: Choose materials that weather well and won’t require much upkeep, like composite decking or stone pavers.
Keeping it simple can still create a welcoming appearance without the need for constant maintenance.
Wrap-Up
If you've always wanted to improve your home's curb appeal but don’t know where to start struggle to take action, focus on these three priorities:
Identify a specific area that needs the most attention.
Highlight your home's unique features and maintain a consistent style.
Keep it simple with low-maintenance solutions.
When you focus on these priorities, your home will stand out. And even if you don’t plan on selling anytime soon, you’ll feel good when you pull into the driveway and proud that you made time to take action.
