Whether you’re preparing your house for open houses or you’re selling your house for cash, it never hurts to add some curb appeal. Many are under the impression that it takes a significant financial investment to do this, but that’s not necessarily the case. There are numerous DIY projects to improve curb appeal without breaking the bank. Here are some of our recommendations:
5 DIY Projects to Improve Curb Appeal
1. Spruce up your front door.
Giving your front door a fresh coat of paint is one of the best ways to add curb appeal. A bright color is sure to grab people’s attention, but make sure it coordinates with the rest of the exterior. Here’s a great guide to selecting the perfect color.
If you’re not up for painting, a good scrub down can help quite a bit as well. For step-by-step instructions on how to do this best, click here.
Adding a couple of potted plants is also a great way to liven up your front porch.
2. Clean the dirt off the exterior of your house.
You’ll be amazed at how much of a difference this makes! Take your garden hose and turn it to its strongest setting, and that should be enough water pressure to get the job done. Make certain that you spray down the whole front side of your house, including driveways and walkways.
A power washer is also a great option if you feel a garden hose is insufficient. A word of caution, however, would be to not use it near windows or doorways. The intense water pressure could remove caulk or cause other damage.
3. Manicure your front lawn.
Get out the lawn mower and get to mowing! Edging is also a good idea, as it gives your lawn a professional look. Search for and pluck out any weeds in the grass and surrounding areas. If you have areas in your lawn that aren’t looking as green as they used to be, we recommend using green lawn spray paint (which is non-toxic and formulated specifically for grass). While you can get this done professionally, you can easily save some money by purchasing a lawn sprayer and doing it on your own.
4. Update your exterior light fixtures.
If you have outdated light fixtures on your front porch or garage area, it may be a good idea to replace them altogether, but there is another alternative. Spray painting them black is a thrifty and quick fix that can give your fixtures an updated look.
5. Upgrade your mailbox.
If your mailbox is a prominent feature in the front of your home, give it an upgrade! Choose a mailbox that matches up with the exterior color of your house. The time it takes to complete this DIY project will depend on the type of mailbox you have. If it’s a simple mailbox that is mounted to your house, it shouldn’t take more than an hour to replace. If it’s along the road on an individual post, it will take longer but it’s well worth the investment. To give you an idea of what this project entails, check out this video guide.
