Boost your curb appeal with these fresh home exterior updates

Every home’s curb appeal needs a refresh once in a while. Fortunately, there are many ways to make that happen, from a new planting bed to improved lighting.

Why is curb appeal so important in the first place? Beyond making a great first impression, strong curb appeal tends to increase property value. In fact, several home exterior projects offer an exceptionally high ROI.

What Are Common Exterior Design Mistakes?

Before you get too excited about renovations, it’s worth noting that curb appeal can diminish as well. Key design errors you’ll want to avoid include:

• Combining too many materials and textures
• Picking color palettes that don’t work with one another
• Implementing designs that clash with your home’s style
• Going for pure looks over functionality

How Do I Make My House Exterior Look Better?

Once you know what not to do, making the correct exterior design choices will seem simple. Here are some ideas to get you started!

1. Make a New Planting Bed

A planting bed is one of those home exterior updates that will add contrast and color to any house. Prime locations for a new planting bed include the immediate front of your home and the front corners of your yard.

When creating your garden, invest in features that frame the house instead of obscuring it. For best results, include a mix of plant types, colors, and textures.

2. Coordinate Your Hardware

Every home exterior has elements that appear minor on their own but play a key role in its overall polish. Updating and coordinating these elements can do wonders for your curb appeal. We’re talking about:

• Wall-mounted mailbox
• Entry door lockset
• House numbers

3. Add Porch Furniture

Nothing tells your guests to stay a while more than comfortable porch furniture. The right decoration pieces can make your porch as cozy as a living room. Opt for seating with skids to avoid damage to your surfaces.

Don’t have the space for a big bench or a rocking chair? A quaint bistro set can still serve as a convenient resting spot while adding style to your exterior.

4. Personalize Your Front Door

Your front door should be the focal point of your curb appeal efforts. Installing a custom wood door or giving it a new coat of paint allows you to put your own spin on it. Hanging a monogram planter can bring a unique flair as well.

Decorative wood brackets can also be a great way to personalize a door. Make sure to invest in high-quality materials for extra style and durability.

5. Install Outdoor Lighting

No list of curb appeal ideas is complete without lighting improvements. Beyond improving your security, low-voltage landscape lighting can greatly boost home value. Try to incorporate a variety of fixtures and add accent lighting to:

• Front entrance and facade
• Trees and landscaping
• Walkways and pathways

Smart Home Exterior and You

When done right, home exterior upgrades can drastically modernize your facade. The fresh exterior designs we outlined above don’t require a large budget, but will still make your house the pride of the neighborhood!

Thinking about other ways to up your Charlotte home’s resale value? Keep reading our real estate-related content!