You wouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but when it comes to real estate, it’s all about the curb appeal. If the funny looks and judgmental side eye you’ve been getting from neighbours has escalated, it might be time to confront what you haven’t wanted to admit: your home is in desperate need of a facelift. From total revamps to simple upgrades, you can enhance the appearance without breaking the bank and be done in a day. Here’s how.
Update the Hardware and Light Fixtures
Change the outdated lock and handle on the front door, replace the rusty porch and entry lighting and install decorative house numbers. Those subtle enhancements help define a home’s overall look.
Add Plants and Flowers to Your Front Door
Plants and flowers add life to any space – literally. Pot them in beautiful urns, planter boxes or hanging baskets, all of which will make a huge visual statement for your home.
Maintain Your Lawn and Trim the Greenery
Make your home appear clean and inviting by keeping your lawn freshly mowed, ridding it and your garden of weeds, trimming trees and cutting back on overgrown bushes and shrubs.
Buy a Cute New Mat
Once you can no longer read the “Welcome” on your mat, which has faded into a blurry mish-mash of nondescript colours, it’s time to get a new one. A welcome mat may seem like an inconsequential accessory, but it sends a literal message to your guests, so why not make that message a friendly one?
Update Your Outdoor Furniture
Replace anything that’s old and in need of major repair. If your bench or bistro set simply needs some rejuvenation, dust off those cobwebs, give it a good cleaning (with a power washer, if need be) and a paint job – they’ll be as good as new.
Paint Your Exterior
You pull up to the same house every day, and at some point you realize it deserves some love on the outside. Give your home a cost-effective exterior facelift with a gorgeous paint job. Prepare for minds to be blown as your exterior goes from drab to fab in a flash.
Accentuate Details With Paint
Maybe you’ve repainted the stucco or went with a darker colour siding; now the trim needs some TLC. From the front door, garage and window frames, to the soffits, fascia and gutters, those changes will make all the difference by highlighting the structural beauty of your home.
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