Exterior Projects to Improve Your Curb Appeal

As you’ve been in your house and the weather is warming, have you been thinking it’s about time to improve your curb appeal? Now is the perfect opportunity to tackle some exterior projects, get your property ready for summer, and get ahead of the curve on home improvements.

We tend to focus so heavily on curb appeal during May (and 2020 is no exception) because it is the initial view of your house and thus the first impression of you as a home owner. It tells people if you are neat, love a lush garden or are more of a minimalist, are drawn to color or prefer a clean pallet, etc. In other words, your home is a representation of who you are. So, who do you want to be?

Curb appeal is a general term that can be applied to a variety of home improvement tasks. Where should you begin? What will make the most impact? How can you do it on a budget? We have created a list of ways to improve your curb appeal. Some of these ideas are DIY and some require a professional. It therefore doesn’t matter your level of expertise or budget – there are options for everyone.

Start with a Clean Slate – Power Washing

The easiest way to improve your exterior without actually making any changes is to wash it. This is a low budget fix that can be a DIY curb appeal project or done by a professional.

Winter rainy weather can have the unsightly impact of adding additional dirt and streaks to your paint or siding, perhaps even making your house appear more aged than it is. Fix this with a power wash. Some caution, though: some power washers offer too much power for the average user. Inexperience and an excess of power can result in Chipped paint, loose or dented siding, or an uneven job. You may want to considering hiring a professional to avoid these possible issues.

Landscaping

Want to add some color, texture, dimension, and life to your exterior? Consider landscaping. Like power washing, this is a curb appeal project that you can DIY or hire a professional to complete.

Do you have a small property and want to tackle this task yourself? Consider adding a few bushes or flower beds. This will make a big difference. If you have a large property, you may want to consider adding some trees or even hardscaping, which means using nonliving “hard” materials such as concrete, slate, rock, or brick to create differentiations in the terrain, create a patio, or even create a retaining wall. This will likely require hiring a professional, but has a huge impact (especially if you need to spend the next few months at home while still enjoying the nice weather).

Focus on the Front Porch

Your front porch is not only the entry way to your home, it’s the focal point of your exterior. 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 make the entryway to your home more inviting.

If you want to make quick, inexpensive improvements, consider power washing, sanding, and repainting the area. You’ll be surprised at home much a new coat of paint can brighten up a space. A professional can have this complete for you in no time.

New Paint

New homeowner? It’s time for new paint. Established homeowner? It’s time for new paint.

Tastes change, styles evolve, and so should the exterior of your home. Contact a professional and ask what paint colors would compliment your home and how to achieve the aesthetic you’re after. This also includes the trim and accents of your home. Don’t forget these vital details. Properly-selected accent colors can make your home pop.

Annual Maintenance

The best project for adding curb appeal to your home isn’t a one-time project at all — it’s maintaining your home and the landscaping that already exists. This includes landscape maintenance, touching up paint, and keeping your home consistently clean.

Consider making a list of seasonal or monthly maintenance activities. Landscaping is a seasonal task and does not need constant attention. Cleaning your exterior and touching up chipped or dulling paint can be done annually. High traffic areas such as the front porch, doors and windows, walkways, and driveways should be maintained regularly. These are all tasks that can be DIY or performed routinely by a professional.

Be the Pride of the Neighborhood

Perhaps now more than ever, your home is your castle and deserves to look its best. 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 Staten Island. We can do exterior work right now without ever having to interact with you in person.