Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal With 7 Projects You Can Finish in a Weekend

Two days of work can make a year's worth of difference.

First impressions count, so a welcoming façade is vital to increasing your home's property value . For those looking to sell soon, a few quick updates can attract potential homebuyers, increase marketability, and improve the desirability of a neighborhood. Even if you’re not planning to sell, curb appeal can be a matter of quality of life for a homeowner. A visually pleasing exterior that is functional and calming can make your home a welcoming place after a hard day. From zen fountains to picture-perfect porches, usable outdoor space can make a big difference. Small tasks, like power washing and a quick paint refresh can take very little time to deliver top-quality curb appeal.

Meet the Experts

• Ornella Bianco , a home improvement specialist at Fixr
• Meredith Blackwelder , an Austin-based home expert and realtor
  

Do a thorough lawncare and cleaning

An unruly yard can give a bad impression even if the rest of the house is in great shape. This means one of the easiest weekend projects for upgrading your curb appeal is a deep clean of the yard and exterior facing parts of the home. This may seem straightforward, but depending on the size of your home, you may need some prep – rent a power washer to clean any siding or sidewalk stains. Mow the lawn and groom shrubs to give them a uniform look. Empty gutters and downspouts. According to Thumbtack’s recently released Fall Curb Appeal Report , the average cost of each of these tasks should be under $300.

Change light bulbs on the porch or garage, and wash down the grime or dust on any fixtures. Clean window exteriors, wash down outdoor furniture, and fix any hanging roof tiles. These small home maintenance tasks ensure the integrity of your home, but also offer a curbside face lift.

Revitalize the front door

According to Ornella Bianco, a home improvement specialist at Fixr, “55% of realtors agree that front door color is a key factor in curb appeal, making it one of the most noticeable features for potential buyers. Bold hues like black, blue, greens, grays, and natural wood-grain tones can create a memorable, eye-catching entryway.”

Although the door may only take a few hours to paint, you may need to prime it white before trying to cover dark colors. Also update the door hardware, hinges, and knobs. Now is a great time to install smart locks, alarm systems, and new doorbells. If you can’t change or paint the door itself, consider installing a windowed storm door that could be a functional cover-up. Once you’ve tackled the door, leave time for a decorative element, like a wreath or welcome mat to freshen up your doorway.

Upgrade house numbers and mailbox

Meredith Blackwelder, an Austin-based home expert and realtor, saying replacing shabby or outdated house numbers with new ones can add lots of curb appeal. Try eye-catching brass, mosaic tile, or stainless steel. Match the finish with light fixtures and door hardware. You can DIY the numbers for an artsy project fit for the whole family. Or you can buy individual numbers or custom plaques. Also, refresh the mailbox. Whether it is is mounted to the house, freestanding near the street, or a mail slot in the door, mailboxes get a lot of looks. Their daily use can lend to discoloration and dirt. After cleaning, try repainting any wooden items and polishing any metal ones. If replacing a mailbox in an HoA community, be sure to check for any height, set back from the curb, and color restrictions. You can beautify the patch around a freestanding mailbox by planting flowers and shrubs suitable to your climate. Try a mixture of annuals, perennials, and vines to attract year-round interest.

Add edible plants and fragrant flowers

A well-maintained and manicured lawn with established trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers will always boost a home's curb appeal. But making a garden that you can really benefit from makes the work all the more special—and sustainable. Try starting a small garden with a few herbs and plants that you enjoy, like mint, basil, and fragrant florals.

If space is limited, install window boxes made from copper, iron, or traditional wood and mix and match flowers and plants to bring color and charm to your home while upgrading your curb appeal. In addition, you can place planters and pots with various flowers and plants along your walkway or your porch.

If it's your first time having plants, choose low-maintenance ones like hostas, ferns, hardy hibiscus, and petunias. Planters provide a flexible way to add vibrancy and color to your curb without committing to a full garden.

Update lighting fixtures

Good outdoor lighting increases safety and security, as well as enhances your home's curb appeal. Instead of relying on a single post lamp or garage-mounted floodlight, install solar or LED landscape lights to illuminate the path to your front door, garden beds, and tree-lined play areas. Update existing light fixtures to modern, energy-efficient options. When buying new exterior lighting fixtures available in various finishes, including brass, copper, aluminium, and stainless steel, consider both the style of your home and the lighting function to achieve the perfect balance between form and utility.

Fix up outdoor furniture

If you have the space, create an inviting seating area by setting out a few chairs or a bench on your porch or front yard. It will make it feel warm and inviting. Use this opportunity to add color and personality. Apart from the seats, adding accessories like a coffee table or outdoor throw pillows can create a welcoming spot for hosting or enjoying a morning coffee. If you already have furniture, refresh them with a wash down, a quick coat of paint, or slip covers. Discard any old or outdated furniture that appears permanently damaged by the elements.

Spruce up your walkway or driveways

Make the pathway to your door enjoyable by incorporating decorative rocks or statues to complement your plants and flowers. Clean the garden edges along the walkways, driveways, and curbfront sidewalks. If your driveway has cracks or discoloration, you may want to fill in the cracks and apply a new coat of sealant. But, remember, city and county rules may say that you’re responsible for one stretch of the curb but not another. Before breaking or sealing any concrete, especially around trees, get the correct permissions from the appropriate authorities.

Don’t overcomplicate things. Bianco says to avoid extensive hardscaping, which can be pricey and may not recoup their costs. Instead, add a brick border, decorative stones, or a mulch bed on your turf to make sure it stands out in the best possible way but with the least amount of work on your part.

Related: 27 Smart Curb Appeal Ideas for Your Most Welcoming Home Yet

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