Your home is one of the few places you can escape to and remove the stresses of everyday life. However, no matter how comfortable you feel there it s important to remember that it does matter how the outside of your home looks.
Keeping your curb appeal up makes it easier to get finance and maintain the value of your home. But, most importantly it will help you to feel good about your home when you return after a hard day.
This is why it is essential to get the curb appeal right; it can be done on a budget:
- Clad It
The first thing you should consider is cladding your home. You can do this yourself or select a decent facade engineering firm to do it for you.
Cladding can be found in a variety of different materials; ranging from wood to uPVC to metal. As well as completing transforming your home it will provide an extra layer of insulation and protection for your home.
- Paint It
If cladding is not an option then it is always possible to paint your home. There are not usually any restrictions on the color you can choose although if it exceptionally bright you may wish to check with your local planning department.
If you decide to paint it is worth filling any cracks in your walls first.
- Look At The Driveway
If you have a driveway then you want it to be pot hole and weed free. Weeds can be killed with a good quality weed killer but you may wish to recover your driveway to make it look more appealing.
This can easily be done on a budget by using gravel. You can pick up gravel at your local quarry or make several trips to your local DIY store with your trailer.
- The Front Door
At the end of the driveway you’ll probably have your front door. This is one of the biggest impressions people see as they arrive at your home. It is also very easy to either change or repaint; depending on your preference and your budget.
As well as looking at the door it is a good idea to clear the clutter round the door. You want the focus to be on the door; not on the items near it.
- Landscaping
Whether you can see a lot of your yard on arrival or not it will be an important part of your curb appeal.
Your choice of landscaping will depend on the amount of time you have and how much you love gardening.
If this is minimal then you should stick to a large grass area and minimal flowering plans. If you have more time then raised beds can add character and color.
- Windows
Just as your door is important so are your windows. At the very least your windows should be cleaned regularly. Vinegar and warm water is a very effective way of doing this.
It is also possible to replace some or all of the windows in your home; this will improve your energy efficiency as well.
- Step Back
It is always a good idea to step back and try to look at your house as though you are seeing it for the first time. Alternatively you can ask a friend or even a neighbor to tell you what they see. This will help you to address any other issues.