If you’re about to put your property on the market then there’s a few things you can do to help add curb appeal to your home. First impressions are extremely important after all, so it’s worth making a bit of extra effort to give yourself the best chance of selling your home.
These don’t have to be huge, costly improvements, even small tweaks can make a difference which can be done with a spot of good old weekend DIY. Here’s 10 ways to add curb appeal to your home:
1. Replace old hardware
Have you still got the same rusty house number which came with the property when you bought it 10 years ago, or a tarnished light fitting that’s stood the test of time? If so, it may be time to replace these hardware items with a couple of new pieces.
These elements look most appealing when they function collectively rather than random mix and matched pieces. Keep in mind that oiled-bronze hardware suits traditional homes, whereas brushed nickel or a chrome finish looks great with modern, contemporary properties.
If you’re attached to your door’s furniture and feel it could just do with a freshen up rather than being replaced completely, give it a boost by gently rubbing away rust with wire wool, followed by buffing the metal with a paste combining bicarbonate of soda mixed with a few drops of water. This will leave the metal looking shiny and good as new!
2. Add window boxes
If you’re looking to add some extra colour and charm to the front of your house, window boxes are a great way to do this. There’s a whole variety of budget friendly boxes to choose from, whether you want to go for copper or iron for a rustic feel, or painted wood which looks great with a cottage style property. Once you’ve chosen your boxes, mix and match flowers and plants depending on your home’s colour scheme and how much sunlight the front of your property gets.
3. Freshen up your front door
Your front entrance will be one of the first things that potential buyers will notice when doing house viewings, so it’s important it looks the part! A lick of fresh paint will do wonders for your property’s curb appeal. If you’re going for a new colour, avoid black or dark grey paints on south-facing doors, as the colour retains the heat which can cause the wood to crack more easily.
Once you’re happy with your freshly painted door, be sure to clean off dirty spots around the door knob and knocker, or replace your knocker if you think it needs an upgrade. A new door knocker can often be the cherry on the cake, with traditional designs featuring animals such as the classic gold lion, or opt for a more modern version of a simple chrome ring or bar.
4. Install outdoor lighting
External lighting can make a huge difference to the curb appeal of your property, whilst providing safety and security. If you have a large driveway with trees then adding accent lighting to these or illuminating a walking path can look great, whilst if you don’t have a driveway a simple low glare step light angled downwards will do the trick.
If you have a porch, then a downlight is an eye-catching way to illuminate the front door as it will highlight the ironmongery, and this can be further complemented with decorative wall lights if required. Aim for a low glare, you don’t want to blind visitors with a bright white light!
Finally, make sure the lighting can be properly controlled so you’re not wasting electricity, which can be done by linking it to the control system for the rest of the house or with a timer so it only comes on when it’s required. If you don’t have access to electricity then solar lights are a good option, with a huge range of options available that are easy to install and won’t break the bank.
5. Renew planter beds
If you have a garden at the front of your house, then now is the time to unleash your inner green fingers. Make sure your garden beds are looking tip top by pulling out any unwanted weeds and leaves, pruning growth, and planting flowers.
You may need to add some new mulch to help the growth of your flowers and plants, and remember less can be more when it comes to planting new flowers. Often a large striking planter will look better than lots of smaller mismatched pots.
If your flower beds are bordered with brick or stone, consider resetting any dislodged pieces and cleaning up the existing border, or you may even want to upgrade the border with new stone or a decorative cast-concrete edging system.
6. Replace or clear out your gutters
Although this isn’t one of the most appealing of tasks, replacing or clearing out your gutter is an important factor when it comes to curb appeal. If your home has an old gutter system, then it’s likely that it could also be suffering from poor gutter maintenance. Look out for droopy gutters, rusty spots and peeling paint, all of which could indicate an update or repair is in need.
If you are replacing your gutter system, make sure to do your research as there’s a variety of options available with different materials and styles, and for best results we’d recommend hiring a professional for gutter installation.
7. Dress up your driveway
If you have a driveway at the front of your property, then make sure it looks the part and gives the right impression for your home. If the floor is cracked or stained, or has sprouting weeds in any areas, then make sure to firstly repair the cracks and stains before killing any weeds. A pressure washer is a great way to clean a floor surface, and you could then go one step further by staining the concrete or affixing flagstones.
Establish a clear shift between the paved and unpaved surfaces to help set off your driveway and enhance curb appeal, and the use of exterior lighting at nighttime will not only be essential for when you’re parking your car in the dark, but it’s also a good idea for some added security.
8. Spruce up the windows and frames
If there’s one thing from this blog post that you decide to do, make it this one. Giving your windows a good clean will have a significant impact on first impressions, and if you can spruce up the window frames too. Peeling, cracked paint isn’t a good look, and one which can be easily fixed. Use a sanding machine or simply hand-sand away any peeling paint before giving it a fresh lick of paint.
It’s not only the outside of your windows which you should give some attention to, have a think about what you want potential buyers to see when they look through your windows into your home. Having a large vase of flowers in the window or some decorative items, such as ornaments or candles on display will provide a homely feel and give a good impression for the rest of your property’s interiors.
9. Regular maintenance
An exterior update is the best way to automatically transform the look of your home, and regular maintenance will guarantee curb appeal. Any obvious defects, such as peeling door posts, an unhinged front gate, or cracked or rotting material can instantly give a negative first impression. Imagine that you’re viewing your home for the first time to spot any areas which need attention.
Once any repairs are identified and fixed, think about how you can add personality to your home’s exterior, whether that’s with hanging baskets, wall attached candelabras or simply some fresh paint.
10. Hide your bins!
Everyone has wheelie bins and we’re not saying that keeping these out of sight is going to have any big impact when you’re selling your home, but if you can put them out of sight for viewings this is a quick and easy way to increase your curb appeal. After all, no one wants to see overflowing rubbish spoiling a beautiful front entrance!
We hope these tips have given you inspiration in sprucing up your home, and if you are ready to put your house on the market, get in touch with one of our friendly team members today to discuss the next steps – Contact Us – YouConvey – The UK’s first collaborative conveyancing service (you-convey.co.uk)