Building Your Home's Curb Appeal

The saying goes that first impressions are everything. Whether you’re planning to put your home on the market or just want to shine for guests visiting from out of town, the curb appeal of your home sets a clear standard of excellence. If you feel like your home could stand to pop a bit more, building curb appeal can be easy, affordable, and well worth the effort.

Tend to the yard

Even if your home looks immaculate, shoddy landscaping can hamper or even ruin the presentation. Overgrown grass, choking weeds, and patches of mud and dirt cut into the curb appeal and drag down the overall aesthetic of your home.

Depending on your situation, landscaping can be as simple as spending an afternoon out front with the full complement of gardening tools.

Gardens bursting with bright, colorful flowers are also great for providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere. To stay on top of your garden, you can refresh the mulch at the start of spring, which gives it a bold look and helps cut down on weeds.

Don’t ignore your front door

The last thing a guest or potential buyer will see before entering your home is the entryway and the front door. That’s why this area is crucial for creating strong curb appeal.

Boosting the appearance of your entryway can be as simple as swapping out your old house numbers and lighting fixtures. You can swap out your older, weathered house numbers for a set that stands out more, which has the added advantage of making your home easier to find.

Paying attention to your exterior lighting is also important because it helps your home stand out when the sun has gone down. This means you’ll want to consider the kind of bulb you’re using and how they elevate the look of your entryway. As important, if not more so, is the kind of fixture you pick. The right choice comes down to the kind of home you have — ranch-style lighting works well for mid-century homes, and Victorian lighting is an apt fit if you have a Queen Anne. You’ll also need to consider the kind of finish —options might include aged or polished brass, matte black, or oil-rubbed bronze — which will hinge on other design choices.

Speaking of hinge, the front door is perhaps the biggest piece of your entryway puzzle. Complementing your front door with a potted plant or two can also add a bit of sizzle by opting for a bolder color that contrasts with the rest of the home — think a passionate shade of red or an electrifying blue hue. Pair that with new knobs and locks and a welcoming wreath, and you’ve got a recipe for an adorable door.

Time, money, and effort spent in the interest of increasing your home’s curb appeal are well worth the sweat. Even if it’s just feeling a sense of contentment when you pull in after a long day at work, beautifying your home pays dividends.

A home equity loan or line of credit is a great way to get these projects done. Ask Washington Trust for the home improvement loan that is right for you.