DIY Curb Appeal: 7 Simple Steps to Clean Up Your Exterior
It doesn’t take a landscaper or designer to make your house look good on the outside. All it takes is a little organizing, arranging, cleaning and upkeep and you can achieve a gorgeous exterior. Here are a few simple and inexpensive tips for increasing your curb appeal this spring. Set aside a
Saturday for some shopping to pick up the items you need and execute your curb appeal plan on a Sunday.
Step 1: Sweep it Up
Get out your broom and start sweeping! Sweeping your porch can make it look much better. Whether your porch is brick or wood, sweeping removes dust, dirt and other fine particles from your porch. If you have the time, give it a quick rinse with a garden hose.
Step 2: Hang Flower Baskets
A flower basket or two can give your house a great boost. For under $20, you can add charm and life to the outside of your home. Select a flower color that will complement the color of your home. Avoid selecting flowers that are in full bloom. While they look great at the store, it’s a sign that
they’ve been there for a while. Instead, select a basket whose flowers are starting to bloom and bring them to life at home.
Step 3: Trim Shrubbery
Take a few hours to trim the bushes and shrubbery around your home. If you don’t have trimming equipment, ask a neighbor if you can borrow his. You don’t need to be skilled in shrubbery trimming to make your bushes look good. Simply even them out and it will make a huge difference. If minor landscaping is really not your thing, hire a landscaping maintenance service for a one-time spring cleanup. For about $100, you can get your shrubbery trimmed properly.
Step 4: Paint
A fresh coat of paint for your porch is one of the least expensive ways to increase your curb appeal. For a quick job, paint the posts and rails in an exciting new color to complement your brick or siding. Alternatively, paint the entire porch or siding. You’ll probably need to set aside an entire
weekend just for that.
Step 5: Clear Clutter
Homeowners often don’t realize how unsightly small items around the perimeter of the house can look. Remove garbage and recycling bins from the side of your home to the back. If you store bikes, tools, hoses or other items around your home, move them to the back. For under $50, you can
purchase a hose holder that can be affixed to the wall of your home. Your property will look more orderly and have a lot more appeal without a hose lying on the driveway or lawn. Don’t forget about porch clutter. Get a plastic container to store balls and other clutter you may have around your
porch.
Step 6: Lighting
Low-voltage outdoor lighting is a great way to add some light to the outside of your home, as curb appeal counts at night too. There are several different options, from a porch light to driveway lights or various landscape lighting. The least expensive option is a porch light. Visit a local home improvement or gardening store for a wide selection of different porch light styles.
Step 7: The Extras
. Mailbox – If yours is old and worn, replace it. There are some really great innovative and creative mailboxes on the market. See what you can find in your area to add some color and life to your porch or yard.
. Address sign – Make your own or get some fresh new numbers.
. Porch mat – Give yours a rinse or buy a new one on sale.
Marcy Tate is a blogger at Networx. She has been working with lawn care service providers for over a decade on ways to increase curb appeal.