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The way your home looks on the outside is important. It’s a reflection of your personal style and unique taste. Whether you’re building a new home, making improvements, or prepping your home for sale; the way it looks on the outside is equally as important.
Boosting your home’s curb appeal doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With just a few strategic updates, you can dramatically change the way your home’s exterior looks and feels. In this blog, we share 10 ways to boost curb appeal and make your home the envy of the neighborhood.
What is Curb Appeal?
You’ve heard the popular saying “first impressions count”. Well, this is true for almost everything! Curb appeal is your home’s first impression. When people drive or walk by, or view your home online, the exterior tells them what to expect about the overall quality of the inside of the home.
Not only does great curb appeal make your home look better; it can help it stand out from the rest, and increase its value.
How to Boost Curb Appeal
Although many homeowners make improvements to their curb appeal when the home starts looking dull or dated, you don’t have to wait! Curb appeal starts from the very beginning. If you’re thinking of building a new home, think about incorporating some of these ideas into your design.
1. Dress Up Your Detached Structures
A detached structure, any structure on your property that is not attached to your primary residence, has the potential to make or break your home’s curb appeal.
Even if your home is in pristine condition, a worn down detached garage, for example, can make a bad impression.
It’s important that the exterior of your detached structures align with your home’s style. If your home is all brick, consider adding brick accents to your detached pool house. If your home’s exterior is covered in crisp, white siding; cover some, if not all, of your detached work space in white siding.
At Custom Homes by Modern Structure, we are experts in designing and building detached structures. We are happy to meet with you to discuss building or upgrading a detached structure on your property.
2. Upgrade Your Landscaping
Landscaping has become one of the most important ingredients in the recipe for a head-turning home exterior. In a pinch, mowing your lawn and pulling weeds can make a big difference.
But for a big transformation, thoughtful placement of shrubs, flowers, trees, and potted plants will highlight the colors and architecture of your home.
We often work with Evansville based landscaper, Nellis Lawn and Landscape, to put the final touches on our custom home builds.
3. Update Your Porches…Or Build a New One
Your front porch has the potential to create a grand entryway! For existing porches, call a contractor to add stone veneer, new railing, or fresh paint for a whole new look. Or, consider adding on to your existing porch or building new if you don’t have one.
Covered porches on the front or back of the home provide even more opportunity! Hang a chandelier from the covered porch for a pop of style, or cover the ceiling with rustic barnwood or shiplap.
4. Add Outdoor Lighting
You’d be surprised at the difference new lighting can make. Swap out dated light fixtures surrounding your garage, or install down lighting that highlights your home’s best features.
Landscape lighting, including uplighting, path lights, and pendant lights help you show off your beautiful landscaping, even after dark.
Sometimes,even a different light bulb can change the look and feel of your home’s exterior. Try swapping out bright white bulbs with warmer tones for a more welcoming feel.
5. Freshen Up With a New Front Door
There’s nothing more impressive than an eye-catching front door. Simply repainting your front door to match other exterior upgrades can make a big difference. For example, if you install black trimmed windows, a matching black front door will compliment them perfectly.
For a more dramatic transformation, install a brand new front door. Depending on the condition of your home, you may be able to install a double front door or single door with windows. A contractor will be able to determine what you are able to do.
Not only does a fresh front door provide a huge increase in curb appeal, it increases energy efficiency, too!
6. Design Your New Home Strategically
Great curb appeal can start at the very beginning, too. If you’re building a new custom home, we can help you choose the right finishes to set your home’s exterior apart from the rest. From doors, windows, brick, stone, paint, lighting, and hardscapes; we guide you though your options and help you make the best decisions.
7. Use Quality Hardscaping
When it comes to curb appeal; hardscaping, including driveways, pavers, decks, walkways, and borders, are often overlooked. Before anything else, keep your hardscaping clean and free of debris. An occasional driveway powerwash can really brighten up your exterior.
Take hardscaping a step further by adding a firepit, pergola, patio, or water feature.
If you choose to add hardscaping to your home’s exterior, be sure it’s done right. We love working with Evansvlle based concrete and construction company, Independence Contracting.
8. Build or Update Your Outdoor Living Spaces
Outdoor living spaces are perfect for outdoor dining, entertaining, and relaxing. Oftentimes, an outdoor living area or lounge area can increase a property’s perceived value. If you have an existing outdoor living area, update it with new furniture, or add onto it with a covered patio or pool house.
Like we mentioned above, the addition of outdoor lighting has the potential to create a whole new vibe.
9. Install New Windows
New windows not only increase energy efficiency, they boost curb appeal. Windows can brighten up the look of your home, make it look more modern, and may inspire you to make more changes.
If you’re building new, choosing the right window is a big deal. Window width, height, shape, and frame color all factor into the look of the home.
For a whole exterior refinish, consider new siding, trim, and gutters.
10. Give Your Mailbox a Makeover
You probably don’t think much about how your mailbox looks. But when you think about it, it sits right in front of your home, and is seen by everyone that drives or walks by.
If a brick mailbox doesn’t fit your budget, or the look of your home, consider covering the post in faux stone or wood. Instead of letting your mailbox stand alone, surround it with a small flower bed and fresh mulch.
Even something as simple as new house numbers on the mailbox can add a much-needed touch of style.
Ready to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal? Call Custom Homes by Modern Structure
Whether you’re looking to make big changes to your home’s curb appeal, or you’re ready to build a new custom home, give us a call.
At Custom Homes by Modern Structure, we specialize in creating one-of-a-kind home exteriors whether it’s a new or existing home. We work with top-notch subcontractors to design and create the most beautiful home interiors and exteriors.
For a free building consultation, call us at 812-306-8438 or fill out this short form on our website.
