12 Easy and Affordable Exterior Home Improvement Ideas

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exterior home improvement

Great curb appeal can boost a home’s sale price by as much as 7%.

Even if you’re not selling your home, it’s still wise to think about curb appeal. If your home looks clean and well-maintained from the street, it can boost property values in your neighborhood and prevent crime.

Major home renovations like a new roof or portico can improve your curb appeal, but they come with a hefty price tag.

Luckily, you can make your home look great without spending much money. Read on to learn about the exterior home improvement projects that will instantly make your house look more inviting.

1. Paint Your Front Door

Your front door is the natural focal point of your house, which is why it has a major impact on your curb appeal.

Grab a can of paint in a complementary color and a few brushes, and you’ll give your door a facelift with very little expense. If your house is blue, try a vibrant yellow or a warm white. If you have a white house, consider painting the door glossy red or black.

2. Install a New House Number

Everyone from friends and family to delivery people and home contractors needs to see a house number to find you. Just because it’s an important practical piece doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun with it.

If you have a modern home, consider vertical oversized house numbers. For more traditional homes, consider a hanging metal plaque.

3. Get a New Mailbox

Whether you have a freestanding mailbox or it hangs on your porch wall, you can turn it into a fun design feature.

Buy a new mailbox in a style that matches your house numbers or the hardware on your front door. If you have a limited budget, you can repaint your existing mailbox with spray paint or outdoor paint.

4. Upgrade Outdoor Light Fixtures

Your porch light or outdoor sconces can get dirty since they’re exposed to the elements. A great way to improve your curb appeal is to get new light fixtures from your local home improvement store.

Choose fixtures that are a similar size or else you’ll need to do some patch work or repaint part of your siding. You can replace the fixtures yourself, just make sure to turn off the outdoor power from your circuit breaker before you start.

5. Paint Your Trim or Shutters

While you may not be able to see peeling paint from the street, a fresh coat of paint on your trim and shutters can really boost your curb appeal.

For trim work, you can’t go wrong with white or black paint. For shutters, you can choose a color that matches the trim or a color that contrasts with your home. If you have a red brick house, you could do white trim paint and black shutters for some nice contrast.

6. Trim Overgrown Landscaping

One of the best ways to improve your curb appeal is to trim your trees and bushes. It’s also important for security since a person could easily hide behind tall bushes if they’re close to the house.

Stand on the sidewalk and look at your house. See if any plants or bushes have grown over your doors and windows and trim those back first. You’ll be amazed at how much better your house looks.

7. Add Potted Plants to Your Porch

Potted plants add a pop of color to any front porch. For the best look, choose flowers that complement the color of your front door. If you have a green front door, try plants with purple flowers.

If you don’t have much of a green thumb, you can’t go wrong with potted boxwood shrubs.

8. Install a Flagpole

If you’re looking for a way to boost your curb appeal and show off your beliefs, consider installing a flagpole.

To make your flag shine, you can find solar light kits at https://flagpolefarm.com/category/titan-products/. Your home will stand out in your neighborhood, especially in the evenings.

9. Wash Your Home’s Exterior

If you’re looking for easy exterior home improvements, you should consider washing your home’s exterior. Aside from a little elbow grease, this improvement costs almost nothing.

If you have siding or brick, you can use a power washer to clean off dirt and grime but make sure to avoid doors and windows. If that’s not in your budget, you can also use a garden hose or a bucket of water and a scrub brush.

10. Wash Your Windows

Once you’ve washed your exterior home, you can wash the windows. You’ll need a sturdy ladder, some soapy water, a squeegee, and a person to help hold the ladder. If you have windows that tilt inwards, you can wash your windows from inside the house.

You’ll be amazed at how much better your house looks with clean windows. They’ll look like they’re sparkling in the sunlight.

11. Clean Your Driveway

Once you’ve cleaned the outside of your house and your windows, why stop there? If your driveway has oil spots or other car stains, cleaning it up can help your curb appeal.

The easiest way to clean your driveway and sidewalk is with a power washer. If you don’t have one, there are a few other methods for cleaning concrete. Concentrated soap, paint thinner, and TSP are just a few of the products you can try.

12. Mow and Edge Your Lawn

You probably mow your lawn regularly, but taking a little extra care can work wonders for your curb appeal. Try to work in straight lines and mow in one direction to keep your lawn looking neat.

Once you’re done mowing, don’t forget to edge along the driveway, sidewalk, and the perimeter of your home. It will keep weeds at bay and your home looking well cared for.

Upgrade Your Curb Appeal with an Exterior Home Improvement Project

Exterior home improvement doesn’t have to be expensive. In most cases, all you need is time and a little creativity. Trimming a few bushes, adding a fresh coat of paint, and planting some flowers can transform your home without breaking your budget.

For more content like this, check out our articles on home improvement.

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