How To Increase Curb Appeal Without Hiring a Professional

Ways to increase curb appeal include more than just mowing the lawn, power washing the driveway, and trimming a few shrubs.

Here are some ways you can easily accomplish a curb appeal upgrade that may just help you sell your home faster.

Increase Curb Appeal Tip #1: Paint the Front Door

One of the easiest ways to add lots of charm and increase your home’s curb appeal is to paint your front door. Choose a color that complements the colors of your home.

It’s best to use an outdoor paint that won’t fade or wear easily. You can also repaint the existing lock and knob instead of replacing them. Simply use a can of outdoor spray paint with a metal finish, such as brushed bronze or something in the nickel family.

If you’re having trouble deciding which colors might work best with your existing color scheme there is an app called, Front Door Paint which allows you to take a photo of your home and change the color of your front door.

This can help you visualize what the end product will look like before committing.

Increase Curb Appeal Tip #2: Give your Garage Door a Makeover

There are lots of ways you can go here, the obvious one being to completely replace your garage door if it’s damaged or not operating properly. On the other hand, if you aren’t experiencing problems with your overhead door, consider the following options.

Your first step might be to simply give it a good scrub. Borrow or rent a power washer if you don’t have one and make sure you’ve removed as much discoloration as possible.

Sometimes a dirty garage door is just too far-gone to wash; in that case you’ll want to pick up some paint that matches the color of your siding or trim and repaint the surface.

Now that the surface is gleaming, you can take things a step further and add hardware to your overhead door to give it a carriage style look.

If the front elevation of your home is a bit dull, consider adding a trellis above your garage door in a color that matches your trim.

Increase Curb Appeal Tip #3: Wash Windows and Siding

You’d be surprised how dirty the outside of your home can get, especially if you live in a rural area. Washing your siding and windows will give your house a really fresh look that makes the property appear much newer than it really is.

Be sure not to use a power washer on your siding – a simple garden hose will do just fine and won’t damage your vinyl siding.

Washing windows is a common household chore; however, the outsides of your windows don’t usually get as much attention. While you’re giving the exterior a good scrub down, get your windows as clean as possible.

Increase Curb Appeal Tip #4: Update Light Fixtures

Chances are your light fixtures are original to your home. It’s an easy thing to forget about because it’s not something you’re always staring at, but exterior lighting can do just as much good as interior fixtures can.

If your lighting is broken, inoperable, or loose, consider repairing or replacing them altogether. Be sure to get a matching set for the entire house and not just the front.

If they’re still in good working order, grab a can of outdoor spray paint in a metal finish that coordinates with your home. Replace the bulbs and you’ll have taken 10 years off of the life of your home’s appearance.

Increase Curb Appeal Tip #5: Replace your House Number

Your house numbers, if not engraved in brick, are very easy to replace. Shop around online for numbers in a modern font that’s a bit larger than your existing pieces.

You can affix the new numbers directly onto the exterior of your home or, even better, you can attach them to a flower box that hangs near the front door.

Stick with a color or finish that contrasts with the color of your siding so the number is bold and visible from the street.

Increase Curb Appeal Tip #6: Revive your Flower Beds

If your flowerbeds are overgrown or just plain dead, tear out what remains and plant some fresh flowers.

Choose flowers that are easy to keep alive and are an attractive complement to the colors of your home. It’s best to go with a flower size that can be seen from the street.

Increase Curb Appeal Tip #7: Reface your Foundation Walls

If you’ve got a large portion of your foundation wall that’s visible from the street, you can reface it with an attractive stone tile.

It’s not necessarily a budget-friendly update, by the effects of this upgrade are remarkable. If an exposed foundation wall is the only thing holding up the sale of your home, then this is something to consider.