So, you want to increase your curb appeal. Putting some attention on your home’s curb appeal is a terrific way to boost property value. It’s also a fantastic solution to get your home sold quickly. Even if you aren’t looking to list anytime soon, spending some time on your home’s curb appeal is a worthy investment.
There are many aesthetic improvements you can make to the outside of your home. Things like redoing your roof or siding or repainting your front door are some popular choices. However, when it comes to boosting curb appeal, nothing works quite as well as good, old-fashioned landscaping.
Before you shrug and lament that landscaping isn’t something in your wheelhouse, take a look at all the amazing landscaping projects you can do to increase your home’s curb appeal.
Project #1: Give it a Trim
Focus first on giving your lawn a good trim. Mow it. Pull the weeds. Cut and shape the shrubs. If it’s been a while since you’ve invested in a good “haircut” for your lawn, you’ll be surprised by what a huge difference this little project makes.
While you’re working on your yard, put some attention on getting your grass green. Try putting your lawn on a watering schedule to get the grass green. If not, you can always take shortcuts with sod.
Project #2: Add Some Plants
If you don’t have plants, consider adding some. You don’t have to have an elaborate garden to make an impact. Try to choose low-maintenance plants that can survive year-round – like petunias.
Potted plants are usually easier to maintain, too. However, don’t be afraid of adding a small garden if you have the time for a little daily upkeep. A few plants can make a significant difference in making your home stand out.
Project #3: Hardscaping
If maintaining your lawn or growing plants is not something you can manage – consider hardscaping instead. Hardscaping is landscaping using hard materials like gravel, rocks, pebbles, mulch, and stone to create visually appealing yards without the hassle.
Hardscaped lawns are particularly trendy in dessert climates, but they can look good anywhere. If you decide to hardscape, consider hiring a designer or doing a bit of research on hardscaping before diving in.
Project #4: Focus on The Porch
People are spending significantly more time lounging in their yards these days. As a result, home buyers are looking for homes with plenty of outdoor seating areas. If you don’t have a front porch, consider adding one.
If you have a porch or patio already, take some time to spruce it up and make it look inviting. A fresh coat of paint and tasteful furniture and decorations can work wonders.
Project #5: Pay Attention to the Entrance
Step back and look at your home. More specifically, look at the pathway from the curb to your front door. Does it look intriguing or inviting? Consider lining your entrance walkway with plants or lights.
If you don’t have a sidewalk that leads up to your front door, be sure to add pavers or a walkway of some kind.
Project #6: Revamp the Driveway
Homebuyers are also on the hunt for large driveways. Take a peek at your driveway and see how it looks. If you have a gravel driveway, make sure it’s nice and level. If you have a concrete driveway, make sure it isn’t cracked or stained.
Spend some time making your driveway look nice and ready to handle plenty of cars. If you don’t have a driveway or covered parking area – consider adding one.
Project #7: Add Lighting
Once you’ve done all this work on your home, you want to make sure people can see it. Upgrade your outdoor lighting fixtures and toy around with different lighting options.
There are spotlights, street lamps, porch lights, garden lights, decorative twinkle lights, colorful ambiance lights, and more. Spend some time thinking about your yard’s lighting design and the areas of it you want to highlight, and then purchase and install the lighting features you need to bring your concept to life.
Increase Your Curb Appeal with Landscaping
Even if you don’t have a green thumb, there are still plenty of ways to increase your curb appeal with landscaping projects. All seven projects above are DIY and budget-friendly, so there’s no reason not to start boosting your curb appeal today.
Matt Lee is the owner of the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.