You may have been carrying out a scheme of renovation work on your humble abode over the past few years. You might finally have your dream home kitchen renovation complete with island and granite worktop. Maybe even have a freshly decorated living space, beautiful en-suite and a converted guest room attic. When you step inside your pad, you know that you have created your sanctuary. A space where you feel completely at home, comfortable and free from the stresses of the day outside. But what did your house look like on the way up the drive? Do you have an unruly patch of lawn, some cracked paving slabs and filthy facias around your double glazing? Does your home need a hand with a boost of curb appeal?
The exterior of our homes is just as important as the interior. While you might not be one to boast, you still want to take pride in your home and it’s appearance. Having friends admire your dwelling even before they set foot inside. Take a look at these four simple steps that will have the exterior of your home boost its curb appeal.
- Gardens
If you have a touch of greenery outside the front of your home, make sure it is well tended to. Long grass, weeds or patchy brown spots can look a mess. Mow the lawn once a week in the summer months and treat it with weed killer when deemed necessary. Try to inject a spot of color into your frontage with some flora. Bulb flowers such as daffodils and tulips require zero looking after. Meaning that they are perfect for those who do not possess green fingers.
If you aren’t blessed with a green space, instead, have a driveway of gravel or bricks, you can still inject some life into an otherwise drab area. Head to the garden center and pick up some ready made pots complete with a range of flowers. Hanging baskets above an awning also bring color and vitality to the exterior of a home. Lifting an otherwise gray area with a range of colors makes your dwelling appear happy, well maintained and loved.
Windows
How you dress your windows can have a huge impact on its curbside appeal. In Connecticut, you will have to consider the New England design of your home. If you love all things decorative and enjoy pretty fabrics, custom window treatments in your living room, are the way to go. This can look great from the roadside, so long as you use the similar treatments in all the windows in the front.
In the West Hartford CT area, you can purchase blinds, shutters or custom window treatments from All About Interiors. However, for the rest of you elsewhere, you may have to purchase from a local source or unfortunately, on line. An alternative to custom roman shades, valances or curtains are budget blinds. Fully customizable and looking crisp, neat and modern. You could have a set of wood blinds or shutters adorning all of the windows at the front of your home. The cohesive nature of this look means that your home looks un-fussy yet classy from the roadside. Blinds and shutters are the ideal styles if your home is minimalist and classic in design.
From an exterior point of view, make sure all of your windows are cleaned regularly and have the same fascias. A mix of wood, metal and UPVC can look untidy. Opt for the surround that you prefer and ensure that all windows follow through on the same design.
Front Door
The simplest and quickest way to give the exterior of your home a lift is to change the front door. If it is old and has seen better days you may wish to purchase and fit an entirely new door. The choices are seemingly never-ending, and it can be hard to know what to choose. For security and design, a composite can be the ideal choice. They are expensive, yet they are energy efficient, well insulated and incredibly durable. You could choose a composite cottage style frontage complete with wood style paneling, an ultra-modern porthole style door or a traditional Victorian era type door complete with stained glass effect panel.
If your current door doesn’t need replacing, you could give your home a face lift at a fraction of the price. A new color and lick of paint complete with plant or two for dressing and you could create a whole new look for your frontage. You could opt for traditional and go for a black, deep green or bright red hue or you may want to look to a more dynamic color such as a shocking purple or mustard yellow. You might want to replace your door knocker or add new numbers to the outside. Try to ensure a cohesive look by emulating the tones in the foliage and plants you select.
Roof
It may be something that you take for granted but the roof of your property doesn’t need just to look good, it is also a necessity that it’s sound and in good condition. Any slipped tiles can make it appear like you are neglecting your responsibilities as a homeowner. If there are any cracked pieces of shingle or slate, get them replaced. Worst still if there are any signs of damp within the property on the upper floors, you should be checking your roof.
Your roof will need replacing once every twenty or thirty years by an artisan trades person. Untidy shingles can look a mes and ruin curb appeal, so it’s vital you keep them looking well-coiffed. For slate and tile varieties of roof, ensure that you select matching color tiles or pieces of slate when you replace them. Otherwise you could end up with a patchwork roof.
When you consider the upkeep and maintenance of your home, don’t simply think about the interior design of your humble abode. While you want to create your dream space, you also need to create your ideal frontage. So why not take the creativity and flair that you imparted in your home to the exterior of your dwelling to enhance its curb appeal?
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