The Easiest Do’s and Don’ts for Curb Appeal Every Homeowner Can Follow
Want a buyer for your house? Curb appeal.
Want to be the nicest house on the street? Curb appeal.
Want to boost home value? Curb appeal.
Curb appeal is the answer to so many of our home appearance needs. It’s one of the most iconic elements of the American dream. But there’s more to it. Knowing that the exterior of your home is in tip top shape can lead to a feeling of satisfaction and pride. After the stress of 2020, we all deserve a feeling of contentment with our home.
What is Curb Appeal?
Curb appeal is more than just pretty plants and a mowed yard; it is the feeling and emotion one gets from experiencing the exterior of your home. Whether you are selling your house, looking to boost value, want to create a welcoming environment, or just want your house to look nice, your curb appeal hints at what is on the inside of your house.
Curb appeal can be extremely subjective, what you like may not be what your neighbor likes, and vice versa. But there are a few tried and true do’s and don’ts for curb appeal every homeowner should follow.
The Easiest Do’s and Don’ts of Curb Appeal to Follow
DO declutter your driveway, walkways, and front yard. A good rule of thumb when you are decluttering the front exterior of your home is to think about an object purpose. If it doesn’t have a purpose for being seen, put it away. Hide the water hose, store garbage cans in a closed garage, and put away any kids’ toys. If it doesn’t play a role in adding value to your curb appeal, then it’s clutter.
DON’T ignore dead plants and dead plant materials. If you have a dead bush or dead leaves in your landscape, don’t let them continue to decay and mold. Get rid of dead plants and materials so that they are not hindering the life and growth of your thriving plants by inviting pests or disease. Plus dead plants could be stopping nutrients from reaching your healthy plants.
DO clean your concrete. Over time our driveways and walkways can become magnets for dirt, stains, and normal wear and tear from years of high traffic for cars, people, and pets. Break out the power washer (or rent one) and get to work. Make sure to follow the detergent and pressure level instructions for your specific power washer. Don’t have access to a power washer? No problem. You can accomplish the same goal using a water hose, detergent, and deck brush (it just may take a bit longer).
DON’T overlook your entryway. How does your front door look? Does it need to be repainted or restrained? Are there cobwebs or debris? The entryway is one of the last areas someone will see as they enter your home so it’s important to ensure this “last first impression” of your curb appeal is on point.
DO clean your house siding. Stains on your home’s siding leads people to think the inside of your home is in the same condition; grimey and in need of replacement. That’s because these stains aren’t just dirt. They could be mold or mildew, too, and substances like these can damage some surfaces. Cleaning the siding of your home is not just about curb appeal but about keeping the condition of your home exterior strong.
DON’T set yourself up for a high maintenance front yard. A well-designed landscape can transform your home’s curb appeal but it’s important to understand that well-designed does not have to mean high maintenance. Focus on sturdy, drought-tolerant perennials that come back year after year. Plants that are native to your area require less maintenance and care and make sure you use strong steel landscape edging to ensure your materials like mulch and gravel, stay exactly where you want them.
DO edge your landscape. Whether you have a geometric, formal approach to your landscaping or a loose, more flowing style, you need a clean edge to define your space. A clean edge, like when you use Colmet steel edging, helps separate your garden bed from your yard while offering more “readable” curb appeal. Plus, Colmet steel edging comes in many different colors!
DON’T let climbing plants get out of control. There is a time and a place for climbing plants like vines or ivy. You must be ready to commit to the maintenance of a climbing plant. They can certainly add a beautiful aesthetic to your curb appeal but they do not come without their not without their risks. These plants can risk damage to your home’s exterior and serve as little bridges for termites and other pests to find more ways into your home.
DO align your landscape style to your area. You don’t have to copy your neighbors landscaping, you can do your own style. But you want to make sure your house stands out for the right reasons. If you venture too far into style areas that are drastically different from the style in your area, your house may stick out. For example if you live in the midwest, surrounded by oak trees, planting palm trees may not be a solid style choice.
DON’T use invasive plants. Invasive plants seem like a great idea. Ground cover is a noble pursuit, but they are notoriously difficult to control. These plants spread rapidly and can turn the native ecosystem of your landscape upside down. Invasive plants can crowd out all the other plant life you have worked hard to develop in your landscape.
DO weed garden beds and grass. Weeds are one of the most common nuisances in a landscape project. They can block out sunlight to other plant life, steal water from the things you actually want to grow, and overcrowd your soil. When there is not enough space for plants to coexist peacefully, they can become stressed, diseased, or even die. Carve out an afternoon in your schedule and start pulling those weeds.
DON’T be lured into overly trendy design. Whenever burgundy, navy, and forest green are paired together in a living room, it’s hard not to be transported to the early 90’s. Who doesn’t remember that home decor trend? Using the “next hot new color” in permanent fixtures of your landscape puts you on the fastest track to an outdated landscape. Think about using timeless design approaches on elements of your landscape that will last decades, such as your edging.
DO light up your landscape. Outdoor lighting is not only a safety feature, it can highlight your landscape details in evening hours. Little or no lighting makes your house feel unwelcoming and hides all of the hard work you put into creating the perfect landscape. Make sure your front porch lighting is properly placed and functional. Then consider adding solar lighting to your walkways.
Where to Start Your Curb Appeal Overhaul
Creating the right curb appeal for your home doesn’t have to be overwhelming or frustrating. Start simple. Think about the type of landscaping that works best for your goals. Steel landscape edging creates a timeless and versatile that lasts decades. If you’re going to be working hard to build head-turning curb appeal, you deserve landscaping edging that does the same. Colmet Steel Landscape Edging is rigid enough to create clean lines that last, flexible enough to contour to the shape of your lawn, and durable enough to keep it clean, clear and looking great for years. View Colmet Steel Landscape Edging here.