If you are planning to sell your home or want your home to have more pizzazz when you pull into the driveway, you may have asked yourself how you can boost your curb appeal without breaking the bank. Many home upgrades are expensive, costing more to complete than they can provide in return on investment. Luckily, these six budget-friendly ways to boost curb appeal will allow you to become the envy of all of your neighbors, without burning through your wallet.
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1. Brighten your front steps
The front porch is likely the first thing potential visitors to your home see. You can paint your front door a vibrant, pretty shade that coordinates with the rest of your home or add colorful shutters to make it stand out from the rest of the houses on the street. You could even add some furniture or a new mailbox to your front porch, which will draw the eye naturally to your home.
2. Clean it up
Nobody wants to see trash cans or piles of brush on your lawn. Take the time to tend to any necessary repairs and to rake up any debris. Cleaning costs you next to nothing, besides disposal fees, of course, and can make your home look like a million bucks. Make sure you wash your walkways, porch, and front of your house. You can rent a power washer to remove large amounts of grime all at once, or merely use your garden hose turned up on the highest setting.
While you’re at it, make sure you clean your windows, too! Being diligent about washing your windows from the inside isn’t enough. You may have allowed the cleanliness of your exterior windows to slide. Luckily, they’re easy to clean. Sponge them down with a small amount of diluted detergent and rinse them off with a garden house, or use a power washer if available.
3. Tend to your lawn
A well-manicured lawn is a feature that can add instant curb appeal. Cut your grass regularly and make sure any weeds or bare spots are tended to immediately. Edging your lawn and ensuring other landscaping tasks are taken care of provides a nice professional look, and can be done at no cost if you are willing to do it yourself. Additionally, making sure your flower beds are weeded and mulched will make a world of difference.
4. Add a focal point
Give your visitors something to remember you by. Add a focal point to your front porch or lawn, like a birdbath, glamorous door knocker, or decorative statue. A plant in a large ornamental planter is another popular option, allowing you to boost your curb appeal without taking up tons of space or requiring extra cash.
5. Seal your driveway
Take care of any minor cracks in your driveway by re-sealing it yourself. On average, you can do-it-yourself for less than $100 in most cases, which is much less than it would cost you to hire a professional. Re-sealing your driveway helps guard against future damage, as well as issues caused by frost heaves and cracks that may appear if the problem is left unchecked.
6. Light things up
Removing construction-standard or outdated light fixtures won’t just brighten your home’s exterior, it intention also improve the overall appearance of your home. Swapping out old, decrepit light fixtures (particularly those that no longer work) is a great way to invite guests to your home making them feel just a little bit safer. Add lighting where it matters most, such as along walkways and by your front door.
If you already have working light fixtures but want to go from boring to show-stopping in a snap, consider using a can spray paint. You can spray paint old light fixtures to a solid black, which is a timeless option that will take years off the appearance of your home.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the steps for upgrading your home’s curb appeal? Don’t be! These budget-friendly tips are easy to incorporate without spending tons of money and can help take your home from so-so to spectacular in a matter of moments.
Cat Murphy is a gardening and landscaping writer, and outdoor extraordinaire. She enjoys cooking for family and friends and going on long hikes anywhere and everywhere in nature.
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