Curb Appeal is your home’s first impression to the world, including yourself. It’s the equivalent of salad dressing on the lettuce, lipstick on a woman or a three-piece suit on a gentleman. It is the first thing you notice when approaching the home and it is also a reflection of your personality. Beautiful curb appeal not only adds to your home’s value but it contributes a charming aesthetic interest as well. 
You could spend thousands of dollars investing in curb appeal by creating a lovely outdoor oasis but if you have limited time and a limited budget you can follow these simple tips to add curb appeal without breaking the bank.
Here are a few simple do-it-yourself tricks to add eye-catching appeal to your home:
- Power washing– many homes don’t really need paint, they just need years of buildup, dirt and grime washed away. Driveways accumulate oil, siding or bricks get covered in grit and the windows get layered in rainwater and dirt. A few hours power washing your entire house and you can refresh the complete exterior and make it feel like a new home again.
- Stepping stones– decorative or patterned stepping stones is a great way to add a special touch to your front lawn. It is also a great way to keep traffic off your lawn when visiting your home. You can get really creative with the stones and even create more than one pathway or intertwine stepping stones with monkey grass accents for a unique and sophisticated look.
- Upgrade exterior light fixtures– your lighting says a lot about your home and it also gives off a theme or decorative style. If you’re near the beach outdoor nautical fixtures or lanterns can add so much charm to your home. Suburban homes can be upgraded with brassy fixtures or oversized porch lights. Don’t skip this important and inexpensive detail it can really illuminate the appeal of your home.
- Flowers and shrubs– Having enough color in your front yard is important. Bare, bland or sparse yards lacking shrubs, plants, flowers are a definite turn off. Lush gardens and grass make for a welcoming appeal and can be therapeutic to care for. Add flower beds around trees and lining the sidewalks for an enchanting feel. You can really get creative with this project and be sure to read up on what seasonal flowers work best for your climate.
- Bench or swing– Installing a porch or yard swing can be relaxing for you but additionally it has a homey and inviting feel. You can also add a park bench in the front yard or outside the front door which will serve as a great spot to sit and watch the neighborhood. A tree bench is also a nice touch that serves a purpose and adds appeal.
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- Cover eyesores– Cable lines, power boxes and wires can stick out like a sore thumb and be very noticeable. Paint wires and electrical boxes the same color as your home or buy tubing and paint it the same color as your home and neatly tuck and disguise the eyesores so they blend in with your home.
- Window shutters or planters– Some say the windows are the eyes of the home and you treat the inside of the window but what have you done to the outside? You can add shutters to the all the front windows and paint them a complimenting accent color. You can even take the accent a step further by adding a box window planter filled with colorful flowers or ivy.
- Mailbox upgrade– Don’t just settle for a pathetic, bent or rusty mailbox. Use your mailbox as an accent piece. Use adornments, bricks or wrought iron to showcase your mailbox and create a focal point.
- Garage door makeover– replacing a garage door can be expensive but updating or accenting one can be affordable. A fresh coat of paint, decorative accents or even a garage door kit that has various adornments can make a huge difference.
- Hideaway – You can make easy hideaway boxes for things like your water hose, trash can and any other unsightly yard items. Building a small a/c fence to hide ugly and bulky exterior air conditioners can add an extra touch and make the exterior feel cleaner.
- Focus on the front door– if you can’t afford a new front door then you will have to settle for making your front door look like new. If your door is peeling or an unattractive color then sand, prime and paint it. Select a color that is attractive and compliments the style and color of your home. If you want to get bold then paint it a bright red.
- Make your address standout– Forget the peel and stick address numbers for your home. Invest in oversized or artistic number displays. Find creative ways to display your address. Wooden, metal or ceramic tile numbers are just a few ways to upgrade but you can visit Pinterest to get additional ideas.
- Tile your cement entryway– plain cement porches or dull exterior entryways can be boring and concrete can be difficult to clean. Take the time to select some sturdy and appealing exterior ceramic tiles and make your sleepy entryway stand out.
- Flower bed accent bricks or stones– while flowerbeds are a great way to add curb appeal you can take it up a notch by adding some great brick or stone accents. Not only do they add color and frame the beds but they add class and give the yard a cleaner look.
- Weed removal– get rid of unsightly weeds that grow along your sidewalks and driveways. Weeds can pop up anywhere and they give a home a messy or un-kept appearance.
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- Window screens– Make sure you replace any torn or ripped window screens. If you don’t need the screens the windows will look more polished without them but if you benefit from them, then make sure they are in good condition.
These tips and tricks can probably done yourself and are relatively inexpensive. If you put your creative flair into these projects you can make a big difference in your homes curb appeal. You don’t have to be selling your home to add curb appeal, after all you can enjoy the fruits of your own labor by taking the time to add those special touches to the face of your home.
Additional Information
How to Improve Curb Appeal When Selling Your Home
Top 5 Features Home Buyers Want in a Home
A Seller’s TO DO LIST: What you need to do before you call your Realtor
10 Common Mistakes Every Seller Makes