Your yard could be holding back your home’s potential!

Entry #9, October 21, 2009

Lead them into your home!

“Curb Appeal” –  the appearance of the grounds, and exterior of a home, and the appeal that it draws.  Let’s make guests want to get out of their car and come in…

Structure: Does the paint look dirty, the stucco look old, or the brick have stains? Consider adding a fresh coat of paint, power washing or using do-it-yourself brick stain removal solutions.  Your neighborhood home improvement center will be able to direct you to the right solution for your application.

Also consider the condition of the front door and entryway. Often times paint, and a new focal point, such as

flowers or an architectural feature can brighten this area.  You’ll also be surprised what a broom will do for all those leaves!

Roofing: Do you have missing or old asphalt shingles? Cracked clay tile’s? Even standing seam metal needs regular maintenance.  If you live in a newer home, your builder’s home warranty may cover any builder’s defects. For regular wear and tear, and older homes, consider hiring a roofing professional to inspect your roof. Age of the roof may also be an indicator that leaks and other problems are not far behind.

Driveway/Sidewalk: Make sure there is no signs of mold, mildew, heavy soil remnants in this area. On a regular basis, power wash and consider using  solutions made for concrete. Brick and tile pavers can also have similar build-up. For cracked walkways, consider patching, or having a professional remove the segment and repair..remember not just for cosmetics, this is for safety!

Lighting: Curb appeal is not only for the daylight hours.  Look at your home at

The evening appeal is just as important as the daytime

night.  Does it look dark and uninviting? Consider adding brighter wattage bulbs to exterior fixtures.  Can guests get to your front door, or do they turn around because the walkway is dark and scary? Landscape and walkway lighting is a great solution.  From rope lighting to extensive landscape lighting, the mood can change dramatically in the evening.

Added features: Make sure the features you add to the yard are not detracting from the natural beauty of the grounds. A simple fountain, or a koi pond may be a great added feature. Although, if the fountain is broken and the Koi fish are hidden by the algae and overgrown weeds in the pond, this now becomes an eye sore. Less is more, the garden gnomes and flamingos need to stay in the garage!

For more exterior design ideas on Stagetecture, click here.