The Essentials: Curb Appeal
Whether you're selling your home and want top dollar or just want a beautiful house to come home to, start at the street. Focus on the essentials - upkeep, landscaping, balance, cohesiveness and charm - to get that often-lusted-after-but-seldom-achieved "curb appeal."
ADDRESS Exterior REPAIRS
You can spend all the time (and money) in the world with frou frou distractions but if you start with the basics, the rest will be the icing on top. Addressing ongoing maintenance items will help keep your home looking beautiful and save your bottom line in the long run.
Power wash your home’s exterior. Touching up paint can make a world of difference, too.
Ensure all decking, fencing, railings and steps are sound and sturdy. Repair any crumbling concrete or stone.
Repair gutters and downspouts; ensure any earth near the foundation slopes away for proper drainage.
Replace any worn weatherstripping around exterior doors and ensure the garage door is in good working condition.
Replace any missing shingles and consider obtaining a roof inspection and/or certification.
If you need a new roof, you need a new roof. Take time to note the big-ticket items that you may need to plan and budget for.
CLEAN UP THE LANDSCAPING
Stand at the street. Can you see your home — particularly its architectural details and charm — through the trees and bushes? A complicated, overgrown mess is intimidating, so opt for a simple, cleaned up look. When in doubt, take it out!
Trim the trees, prune the bushes, sweep your walkways and level the mulch. Reseed or replace brown patches in the grass. Pull every weed and rogue stem. Need extra guidance? Checkout Sunday Lawn Care.
Create balance between each element: established landscaping looks its best when in proportion with your home. And don't forget about pots, planters and window boxes (some favorites here); layer each with seasonal blooms to add color and texture.
edit, edit, edit
Aim for consistency in terms of architectural and design style. If you have a Craftsman door, decorative Victorian corbels won't make sense. Use online sources like Pinterest and Instagram to inspire and guide you.
If you're having a tough time putting a finger on what doesn't feel quite right, don't hesitate to call in the pros - an experienced architect or designer should be able to spot the issue easily.
ADD a bit of CHARM
The most welcoming entries have a little personality. Add a pop of color with a painted door or shutters. Replace your door hardware and add a vintage door knocker. Create ambiance with lighting. Rotate seasonal wreaths. And don't forget the welcome mat.
Take caution: while special features can be memorable, take care in choosing those that are not polarizing style-wise. Your cherished antique knickknack collection might feel overwhelming and distracting to others. As I mentioned above, aim for a clear, cohesive style.
DRIED WREATH
I’ve had no fewer than five of these wreaths over the years; they hold up remarkably well considering the harsh Colorado sun and snow. Can’t beat the price for the size and quality. I like to rotate the ribbon from which it hangs, depending on the season (navy and white stripes in the summer, red satin for Christmas, etc.).
House numbers
These numbers are traditional, but fresh, so they look great on many architectural styles. At 6” high, they’re also easy-to-see from the street, which is, after all, the whole point.
Planter
These all-season pots are made of fiberglass and clay composite. Sturdy without being terribly heavy. I love the window box and round styles as much as this classic square.
Handleset
I installed this on my front door last year and have received so many compliments. The “French Antique” finish is the perfect brass color - neither polished nor dull. It is quite heavy and still looks new, despite heavy use and direct exposure to harsh elements.
FLAG
Flags are so friendly. Ours doubles as a weathervane. I’ve always had an affinity for the stars and stripes, but if they’re not your style, consider a state flag.
Door Knocker
I debated between this style and a cool brass lion knocker for too long. Ultimately, I opted for the cleaner, more modern look of this ring. A great alternative to the doorbell - I never miss a visitor.
Lighting
A wall-mounted style dons my porch and garage; the hanging version, my porch. I tried other styles, but this one had a better color and finish, was a better quality and size and cost less.
Mail SLOT
This pretty mail slot is, above all else, super functional. It’s large enough to take small packages and the dark brass finish will patina over time. Available in multiple shades of brass, bronze and nickel.
DoorMat
If it’s in the budget, spring for this classic monogram style. If not, here’s a simple alternative, also from Pottery Barn, at nearly half the cost. (Need an even less expensive option? Target’s version is only $13!)
Doorbell
I love this doorbell’s simple style, heavy weight (feels lovely to the touch) and variety of finishes. Admittedly, we recently replaced ours with a Ring Video Doorbell. Function beat form this time.