I love to watch Curb Appeal on HGTV. John Gidding and his crew take really crappy looking yards and houses and make them gorgeous. I wish John would drop by my home, but until he does, I’m responsible for my own curb appeal, just like you are.
As a side note: his ideas aren’t always practical. For instance, I loved the look of a yard that had mulch made out of old tires. Looks good, environmentally friendly – what could go wrong? I decided to copy John with a small rose bed and discovered:
1) the chips were a bit cheaper than solid gold nuggets – maybe
2) they covered virtually nothing – I bought 10 Very Expensive bags and covered a few square inches of my bed (OK, I’m exaggerating a bit – but still it wasn’t much coverage)
3) surprisingly, the tire pieces dissolved really quickly – much more rapidly than wood which seems surprising to me
Anyway, I still love the show and here are five cheap and easy ways to spruce up YOUR property. After all, you don’t want folks to drive up to your home and think it looks like a Halloween haunted house. Many of the home decor projects below can be completed within a day or two, and will make a huge difference in the way you see your home. You may find that guests as well as potential home buyers become more interested in your home after you add these accents.
#1. Spruce Up Your Mailbox
The mailbox also showcases your decorative sense of style. Choose a mailbox that has the same colors and materials as the trimmings on your home; this will make your property look more uniform. Consider one-of-a-kind features that you can add yourself. For example, you can paint a design on your mailbox, such as flowers, trees, or your address, or you can plant a small flower garden around the base of the mailbox post.
#2. Invite Birds, Wind Chimes & More
Wind chimes and bird baths are a wonderful way to add beauty to your home’s exterior. Sculptures and pillars near the front door provide a fancy element to the house that can make the real estate more welcoming. Make sure that these outdoor elements are placed on level ground in your front yard, and plant a few flowers in the near vicinity to draw more attention to the decorations.
#3. Add Outdoor Lighting
Install small lights along your driveway or the walkway leading up to your front door. This provides more security for your home while drawing attention to other features of your house like the manicured lawn, cobblestone porch or small flower garden, all of which can make the property more attractive to buyers and those that pass by. Solar fixtures are an energy-efficient way to add this feature to your home. The cost-saving soft lights give off a wonderful glow in the darkness and no wiring is required.
#4. Add Seasonal Outdoor Decorative Items
A container garden will add texture and color to the front of your home. Select pots of various colors and sizes and fill them with your favorite flowers, herbs and plants. Arrange the pots in an asymmetrical fashion so that the garden will immediately catch the eye of anyone who arrives at your home. It’s also a good idea to choose fragrant flowers and herbs that will provide a pleasant scent as guests walk through the front door.
#5. Glamorize Your Front Door
One of the first things people will notice about your home is the front door. A door with a classic, eye-catching or opulent feel can easily be seen from the curb. For instance, if your home is a tan or brown color, paint the door a bold shade of red to make it stand out. If your house has stone or brick accents, a glass door with a bronze or copper handle provides a visually appealing contrast. It’s also important to choose a door that matches with the decorative theme on the inside of the home, so a shag, small geometric window or metallic border will make your home even more stylish.
If you’re looking to sell your home or simply want your house to be more of a reflection of your personal style, it’s important to give your residence curb appeal. Making some simple changes to improve the outside of your home will make your real estate more appealing to potential buyers. The upgrades to your house’s exterior can also make you feel more relaxed and satisfied each time you pull into your driveway. Keep these tips in mind when you’re ready to make your home appealing from a curbside viewpoint.
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