Improving Your Home’s Curb Appeal on a Budget

Guest Blogger #383, Entry #978, February 25, 2012

There are many reasons to upgrade the curb appeal of your home. Perhaps you need to repair worn flooring, sagging cabinets, or cracks in the walls that have resulted from natural settling. Or maybe you’d like to increase the functionality of your home by knocking out a wall to make two small rooms into one larger space. It could be that you simply don’t like the look of your home and you want to make some cosmetic changes so that your property is more aesthetically pleasing. These can be issues if you are looking to add value for eventual resale may also be seeking upgrades that they can enjoy now and that will show a return on investment down the road. And one of the best ways to improve the look of your home is to start with the first sight that greets visitors: the curb.

Improve your curb appeal with beautiful plants

Image via: Country Living

Of course, most home improvement projects come with a budget. And while you can certainly spend a fortune on landscaping specialists, professional house painters, and contract companies, you’ll be surprised by how much you can do on your own at a fraction of the cost. So if your spending limit isn’t quite as high as you hoped it would be, simply put on your DIY hat and get to work. A good place to start is with the painting since the colors you choose (and the cost of supplies) could impact your other plans for improvement.

If your paint is in good condition and you don’t want to spend the money just to change the color of your house, you could simply give your façade a power wash and then enhance the aesthetic appeal by painting the trim with a complimentary hue and even adding a bold pop of color to the front door (especially if your house is a neutral shade). Sometimes a little cosmetic facelift is enough to make a big change in the appearance of your house. You should also repair any exterior damage such as cracked stairs or railings that have gone askew. And if you live in a harsh climate like New York or New Jersey Roof Coatings may be a good idea to keep your cap ship-shape.

Walkways, driveways and outdoor appeal make for great curb appeal

Image via: Bhg

Once the front of the house is looking brand new, it’s time to broaden your view. When it comes to landscaping it’s all too easy to go in the wrong direction. While you probably have some preference when it comes to planting, keep in mind that the flowers you like on your table may not be the best for your yard. They might choke out other plants, attract pests, or look awful when they’re not flowering, for example. So you’ll definitely want to create a plan for the yard and then take suggestions from a garden specialist at the nursery you visit.

But before you even get to that point, think about what you can preserve. The lawn might be fine except for a few brown spots, so add a little seed and see how it goes instead of shelling out for new sod. Try trimming back plants, shaping bushes, and removing dead brush and branches before you tear everything out. A little manicuring and a few well-placed additions can save you a lot of time and money. And don’t forget to ask about drought-resistant native plants that require a lot less watering to remain beautiful.

For more curb appeal ideas on Stagetecture, click here.