Whether you’re in the process of selling your home or just looking to spruce up its exterior, consider the importance of the curb appeal of your home. It will not only help create a better first impression of your home, but it can also help increase the return on your investment. In this recent Architectural Digest article by Jennifer Fernandez, you can find out 5 easy home improvements that add instant curb appeal to your home.
Consider the front door. “If you’re on a budget, give doors a face-lift with a fresh coat of paint and a new or recently polished handle and door knocker from your local or online hardware store,” Hoover says. “Paint can be bought for less than $200 depending on the brand, and a really elegant door knocker or handle starts at $45.” Of course, you could replace the door altogether with something more dramatic. “An arched distinctive door with side lights will knock the socks off any buyer.”
Grab the gardening tools. “If you have the room, anchor each side of the door with potted plants,” she says. “Potted plants are an efficient, fragrant, and inexpensive way to add a pop of color, which is important to buyers. Also, avoid plastic containers and be sure to use ceramic or terra-cotta pots to add a touch of subtle opulence.”
Walk this way. “Create an inviting walkway to your front door with beautiful blooms or shrubs,” she says. Among Hoover’s personal favorites: hydrangeas. “Depending on your preference, many can be found for under $30 and are easy to plant. If you have an area along a walkway leading up to your front door, go for bright blue and pink colors—they have a huge impact and are typically very low maintenance and cost efficient.”
Mask with mulch. “A few bags or small truckload of mulch can turn dry or imperfect soil into a rich and striking border along walkways and around trees and foliage,” she says. “Depending on how much you need, you can find it for as little as $3 to $10 per bag.”
Make it inviting. “To add character and warmth to your exterior entryway, purchase a new (read: clean) welcome mat and hang an elegant outdoor wreath (these can be as low as $40),” says Hoover. “Nothing says ‘curb appeal’ like a welcoming and warm entryway.”
Read the full article here.
