Curb Appeal Projects to Consider Now

As the weather gets nicer and we all start spending more time outside, we all tend to also start thinking about ways to improve our home’s curb appeal. Now is the perfect time to tackle some exterior projects you’ve been considering, to get your property looking its best for summer.

In fact, this time between spring showers and summer heat is the ideal opportunity to focus on curb appeal-improving projects. You’ve spent all winter and then a few extra months inside, and you’re ready for your friends, family, and neighbors to have a great new impression of your home.

So, where should you begin? What will make the most impact? What will keep you on a budget? We’ve created a list of ways to improve your curb appeal, some of which can be DIY and others that require a professional. It therefore doesn’t matter your level of expertise or budget – there are options for everyone.

Start with Power Washing

The best way to improve the look of your home is to wash it. You wouldn’t go to a job interview or on a date with an outfit that had stains, so why would you continue to live in a house that had dirt and mold on it?

Removing dirt and streaks with a power washer from your paint, siding, brick, or stucco is an easy and inexpensive project for improving your curb appeal. It can absolutely be done by yourself, with a purchased, rented, or borrowed power washer, but one quick word of caution: some power washers offer too much power for the average user. Inexperience and an excess of power can result in shipped paint, loose or dented siding, or an uneven job. You may want to considering hiring a professional to avoid these possible issues.

Make Your Front Porch the Focal Point of Your Home

Your front porch is the entry way to your home. It also naturally draws the eye. Make it pop from the street, and make it inviting. It doesn’t matter if your front porch is a small step and a front door or a sprawling southern veranda, updating your front porch will immediately add curb appeal and make you the envy of the neighborhood.

The best way to approach this curb appeal project is to power wash your front porch, sand it, and repaint the area. You’ll be surprised at home much a new coat of paint can brighten up a space. Speaking of which…

Consider a New Coat of Paint

Whether you are a new homeowner or have lived in your home for a decade, it’s likely time for a new coat of paint.
Why? Because tastes change and styles evolve. You want the exterior of your home to reflect who you are as a homeowner, a neighbor, and a person. It’s also true that paint wears over time. So even if you’re happy with the color, it likely needs a touch-up to restore it to its full potential.

Contact a professional and ask what paint colors would compliment your home and how to achieve the aesthetic you dream of. Don’t forget the accents, as well — paint the eaves, trim, windows, shutters, and doors to really make your primary color shine.

Stucco Repairs

Stucco is popular because of its relative inexpensiveness and its extreme durability. But even so, nothing lasts forever. If your stucco exterior is in need of some TLC, you should take advantage of the nice weather to address problem areas (pro tip: you never a apply or repair stucco when the temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit).

Stucco is similar to drywall in that it can be a DIY project, but unless you have experience you should really call a professional. They will have the knowledge and necessary tools to make flawless repairs in a short amount of time.

Be aware that stucco is a multi-step process that will take at least two days, if not more depending on the size of the project. You should try to schedule this project for a stretch of sunny days.

Plan to Spend More Time Outside – On Your Deck

We’ve talked a lot so far about the front of your home (which makes sense — curb appeal after all means the impression of your home from the curb). But you’re about to be spending a lot of time outside at your house, perhaps with friends and family visiting in the backyard. As such, while you’re considering some exterior curb appeal projects, keep your deck in mind.

If you have a deck, and intend to spend a lot of time there in the foreseeable future, it’s worth thinking about staining or re-staining the wood. It’s a common misconception that staining your deck once will protect the wood forever. Stain only lasts three-to-five years, so you’re likely in need of an update. And while you’re at it, new color or a new paint overtop it can totally transform your outdoor living space. As with most of these curb appeal projects, re-staining and/or painting a deck is absolutely doable on your own, but consider a professional to ensure perfect uniformity.

Be the Pride of the Neighborhood

Perhaps now more than ever, your home is your castle and deserves to look its best. We have listed multiple DIY tasks as well as projects that are better suited for a professional, but you may want to consult a professional for all of them. Some of these tasks may sound simple, but they require an attention to detail, knowledge of process, and sometimes even specialized tools. You can paint your house, but do you feel confident painting your house while on a two-story ladder? There’s no shame in asking for help — it’s what we’re here for, to make your house beautiful, while you focus on what’s most important to you.

If you would like an expert opinion on how to improve your curb appeal, or would like to schedule a free remote estimate, contact CertaPro Painters^® of Newton, MA. We can do exterior work right now without ever having to interact with you in person.