Curb appeal landscaping refers to the attractiveness of a home’s exterior and its surroundings when viewed from the street. It’s an important aspect of any home, as it can affect the value and desirability of the property. Here are some of the most important aspects of curb appeal landscaping followed by several dozen other ideas you can consider for your home.
CURB APPEAL LANDSCAPING: A well-maintained and attractive lawn and garden can greatly enhance the curb appeal of a home. This includes a neatly trimmed lawn, strategically placed plants, shrubs, trees, and colourful flowers that add visual interest.
EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE: The exterior of a home should be clean and well-maintained. This includes regular cleaning of windows, doors, and gutters, as well as repairs to any damaged or worn areas, such as chipped paint or missing shingles. It’s good practice to take a look at your home every spring to survey if there has been any damage or wear during the winter months. Likewise, as you head into winter, here is an article with some maintenance items you should pay close attention to.
LIGHTING: Outdoor lighting can enhance the curb appeal landscaping of a home by highlighting its features and creating an inviting atmosphere. This can include strategically placed lights around walkways and entryways, as well as accent lighting for trees and other landscaping features.
FRONT ENTRYWAY: Your front door is a focal point of a home’s exterior and can greatly impact its curb appeal. A fresh coat of paint or a stylish new door can add a touch of personality and character to the home.
WINDOWS: Another very important aspect of a home’s exterior are your windows. They should be clean and well-maintained, with no cracked or broken glass. Window boxes or shutters can add visual interest and enhance the overall appeal of the home.
DRIVEWAY AND WALKWAYS: Any pathways surrounding your home and your driveaway need to be clean and well-maintained. This includes removing any weeds or debris, repairing any cracks or damage, and adding a fresh coat of sealant if necessary.
OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES: Any of your outdoor areas, such as a patio or deck, can greatly enhance the curb appeal of a home. These spaces should be well-maintained and clean, with attractive furniture and decor that complements the overall style of the home.
As you can likely appreciate, as a homeowner, you will need to make sure you have some of the appropriate tools to take care of some of this work. In this article, I’ve outlined the tools that “every” home owner needs.
Credit – Good Housekeeping
Now! Let’s get a little more specific.
YOUR FRONT ENTRYWAY
As you can likely appreciate, first impressions matter a lot when it comes to your home. Your front door is the very first thing that guests, visitors etc., will see when they come over. Some of these simple upgrades can go a long way in enhancing the curb appeal landscaping of your home.
Get Creative With Colour: A new paint colour can totally transforms your front door, and you can do it yourself for under $50. Choose a shade that complements your home’s exterior colors. Don’t be afraid to get creative with a bright and bold colour. A bright statement colour can add a “wow” factor. Consider a bold blue or red to accent your home, if you dare!!
New Hardware and Handles: Something as simple as new door handles can refresh your front entryway with a new colour, shape, or style. Entry-level hardware costs under $150 and can be installed fairly quickly and easily. Consider the shapes in the surrounding door and window designs to decide what hardware style and finish you like. While it’s nice to freshen up, if you’re only focused on one area, you don’t want it to appear completely mismatched, and in turn, making other things around it look outdated.
Window Decor and Tinting: While clean and beautiful windows make your home look inviting, installing brand new blinds or curtains can freshen up their appearance. You can also clean and repaint the trim for a great finishing touch. In addition, consider applying window decals for more privacy. These come in various patterns that can “frost” your windows or create bursts of color with a suncatcher effect.
Warm Welcome Signage: Something like a personalized welcome sign can be as simple or custom as you’d like and offers a friendly “hello” to all of your guests. You can either make or purchase a simple welcome sign or doormat for under $20. There are several ways to customize your welcome with your family name or a punny greeting. Consider adding pictures of your family or pet, too.
Dynamic and Decorative Door Knockers: Installing a door knocker is a classic way to dress up your front door. Door knockers come in plenty of styles to match your hardware and personal aesthetic. They can cost as little as $15 and can be engraved with a greeting, your family name, or any other customization.
Seasonal Wreath: Contrary to popular belief, wreaths are not only for Christmas! A classic front door wreath is hard to beat and an easy way to update your seasonal decor. Choose a staple wreath for year-round or pick one for each season or major holiday. You can also craft custom wreaths in creative shapes, like your family initial. I personally like to swap seasonal signs on our front door with inspirational/sweet messages. They always make me smile!
Credit – HGTV
FRONT PORCH CURB APPEAL LANDSCAPING IDEAS
Think about your front porch as a little sneak peek into your decor style and is a perfect gathering place to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine. These easy upgrades can transform your front porch for entertaining.
Furniture Overhaul: You don’t have to invest in all new furniture for a beautiful look. You can update your patio furniture with new upholstery for the cost of fabric, batting, and a staple gun. In addition, what about a statement piece like a hammock swing or vintage coffee table for an exciting dynamic. A contrasting pillow pattern or rug can also transform your space.
Protection From The Sun: Shades are great for keeping your porch cool and comfortable for entertaining. Features like curtains and blinds also level up your decor and make your porch feel like an extension of your interior. Consider soft curtains for under $30 for a relaxing and private atmosphere.
Credit – Coolaroo
ECO-FRIENDLY CURB APPEAL LANDSCAPING
Decorate your yard with eco-friendly features that will light up your home while helping the environment.
Landscape Lighting: Illuminating your outdoor areas and highlighting the best features of your yard while adding shape and dimension will impress just about anyone. Line your walkways for decor and safety and hang string lights on your patio for late-night entertaining. Choose solar lights to skip the electrical wiring and save on utility bills. A set of eight solar landscape lights costs about $50.
Native Plants and Flowers Are Important: Plant flowers and grasses native to your local ecosystem that can thrive with little maintenance. Native plant species also support local wildlife and pollinators, so your yard will look beautiful and benefit the environment.
CURB APPEAL LANDSCAPING UPGRADES FOR YOUR WINDOWS
Windows are vital features in your home’s architecture. A few upgrades can improve your curb appeal and add focus to your home’s design.
Flower Planters: These come in many styles so you can find affordable ones that match your home. Make your own planters with glass jars and tins, or purchase affordable planters from thrift stores if you’re on a budget. These are staples for quick curb appeal upgrades and look beautiful year-round with seasonal flowers. Plant ornamental herbs or small vegetables if you prefer greenery over florals.
Paint Your Shutters (if you have them!): Shutters are easy to build yourself or buy and install. They can be functional or decorative to best suit your needs. Re-paint your shutters if your home already has them for a sleek finish and updated color palette. Exterior shutters start at $50, or you can make your own with pallets or reclaimed wood.
Add An Awning: Retractable awnings look great and offer the benefit of additional shade. Cloth awnings can protect your interior from the sun’s heat, while wooden pergola awnings can grow plants that add to your garden. Window awnings can cost up to $450, but they can also be made at home.
Credit – The Spruce
LAWN AND GARDEN IDEAS
Impressive landscaping can be affordable and easy to maintain when you purchase the right plants for your lifestyle. Start by adding features and work around a focal point, like a fountain or large tree.
Ornamental trees: Trees add levels and color to your yard design with little maintenance required. Small trees are straightforward to trim, though you can choose a Juniper tree to sculpt into eye-catching designs. Costs vary depending on the age and kind of tree you buy, and there are plenty of Arbor Day deals to explore.
Greenery is Gorgeous: Beautiful front yards don’t require meticulously planned flower gardens. Green shrubs, grasses, trees, and ornamental herbs can create a welcoming escape similar to walking into a forest. Occasional watering and trimmings are all these plants need to thrive. Be sure to read up on good luck plants for your home as another interesting element for your curb appeal landscaping plans.
Well-kept Walkways: Keep all walkways clean and neat by trimming the edges regularly or framing the path with brick or flowers. You can also upgrade your sidewalk with stone or brick. Consider a winding path to add shape and character to your yard design.
Finish Off The Look With Flowers: Flower beds add pops of colour and texture to brighten your landscaping. Plant small flower beds around trees and other focal points for a simple polish. Extensive flower beds with flowing edges and shapes provide depth and interest. A beautiful flower bed can be planted for the cost of mulch and your choice of flowers. Affordable flowers start at $5 per live plant, though you can grow your own from seeds to save more.
Placing Your Planters: Use planters to arrange plants around your yard without having to dig or mulch the area. You can also bring these plants in as the seasons change to save on buying new plants each year. Planters also let you extend your landscaping onto your porch and around your home.
Lavish Lawn Care: A green and lush lawn beautifies every home and doesn’t require much maintenance. Learn what grass you have planted and its care requirements to keep it healthy. Regularly weed and treat your lawn, and place grass seed in any bare spots. DIY lawn maintenance is practically free, and weed killer starts at $20.
Credit – Houzz
DO IT YOURSELF CURB APPEAL LANDSCAPING
Stunning curb appeal is easy to do yourself. Get creative and try these simple upgrades to refresh your home’s curb appeal.
Makeover Your Mailbox: Install a new mailbox or paint your current one to match your new home’s curb appeal and upgrades. Customize your mailbox with your street address, family name, or hobbies for a personalized welcome. Don’t forget to decorate with flowers, flags, or fencing around your mailbox for the perfect finishing touch. Many decorative mailboxes are available for $100 or less, or you can repaint your mailbox for about $10.
Identifying your Home: You can paint house numbers on your curb or mailbox, or hang numbers on your porch to make your home easy to find. You can also build a planter box or another decorative feature to post your address for welcoming guests. It’s also a very good idea to use marker to indicate your house # on recycling boxes and garbage bins.
Fancy Fencing: A classic picket fence will always feel like home. Install partial or complete fencing to define your yard and add polish. A small fence is excellent for lining flower beds or defining the edge of your lawn. Most decorative garden fencing costs up to $15 per two-foot panel. However, you can choose more affordable or expensive options according to your taste.
Credit – Three Dogs in a Garage
CURB APPEAL CLEAN UP
Cleaning the outside of your house and lawn is potentially the cheapest and easiest way to improve your curb appeal.
Scrub Your Homes Exterior: Power wash to deep clean your home’s exterior and remove mildew or moss. You can also clean your siding with household cleaner, vinegar, water, or Simple Green and a soft-bristled brush. This is the safest choice if your siding manufacturer warns against using a power washer. Rent a pressure washer from your local hardware store for less than $100 a day.
Wash Your Walkways & Driveway: Sidewalks and driveways also accumulate dirt and grime throughout the year. Use a power washer or stiff-bristled brush with a handle to scrub brick and stone clean. Gently clean with a soft-bristled brush if your walkway has tile.
Yard Clean Up: Clear your yard to showcase its best features. Clean up any fallen leaves or sticks and add them to compost or take them out with your next trash pickup. Be sure to clear weeds and dead or dying plants to keep your lawn healthy.
Gutters & Rooftop: Clear leaves and debris out of your gutters and angles on your roof. Check for damage and repair any missing shingles while you have the ladder out. You can soft wash any algae or moss that’s accumulated.
Patio & Porch Areas: Scrub your porch and patio clean, and don’t forget to remove debris from between the wood boards. Add a sealant if your deck is due for a new coating to protect the wood from the weather. Retouch paint as necessary or repaint the whole patio for a new look.
Windows That Sparkle: Rinse your windows with a hose and scrub the trim for sparkling windows. Wash the outside of your windows and rinse your screens thoroughly to remove dirt and pollen.
Credit – Interior Design Ideas
BONUS CURB APPEAL LANDSCAPING IDEAS
Had enough yet? 😉
Want to boost your curb appeal quickly? These easy upgrades are budget-friendly and can be finished in a weekend.
– Hang a bird feeder
– Add flower baskets to your garage or rear yard
– Trim your hedges
– Fence around your HVAC unit
– Start a container garden
– Add a rug to your porch
– Install a porch swing
– Hang decorative lights on your porch
– Line your driveway with bricks or flowers
– Clean and restrain fencing
– Paint your foundation
– Place art or sculptures outside
– Refresh mulch and gravel
– Upgrade your downspouts
– Paint the brick of your home for a total makeover
Credit – Brick & Batten
In conclusion, the most important aspects of curb appeal landscaping for a home are exterior maintenance, lighting, front door, windows, driveway and walkways, outdoor living spaces, and maintaining your lawn/gardens. By focusing on these key areas, homeowners can greatly enhance the visual appeal of their property and create a welcoming and inviting atmosphere for themselves and their guests.
Considering a bigger renovation or repairs for your home? Here is a great article on the rebates you may be able to take advantage of to keep some extra money in your pocket.
If you’d rather find a new home to love and are thinking about selling your home, here are some ideas you may want to consider first to amp up the curb appeal landscaping before listing the property for buyers.
And of course, if you would like to discuss your options when it comes to buy, sell or invest, let’s talk! I can be reached at 647.896.6584, by email at info@serenaholmesrealtor.com or by filling out this simple contact form. Last but not least, for plenty of other great ideas and tips related to real estate, make sure we’re connected on social @serenaholmesrealtor and you’ve subscribed to my YouTube Channel.
