Easy and DIY Curb Appeal Projects for Your Home

Posted on July 4, 2021

Curb appeal usually comes up when you’re looking to sell your home, but a well-manicured yard and fresh coat of paint are always in style. Especially when you consider that your home’s curb appeal is your chance at a great first impression.

With summer cookouts and backyard parties ramping up, now is the perfect time to give your home some attention. Boosting your curb appeal doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. You just need to start small with some DIY curb appeal projects and refresh your home one feature at a time.

Get started with these easy curb appeal projects for your summer.

Start with a deep clean

Your first and probably easiest step is to clean off all of the dirt, pollen, and mildew that may have collected on your home since your last scrub. Take a walk around your home and check out the siding, framing, and windows for any damage. If everything looks good you can move onto cleaning.

Vinyl siding and brick exteriors are easy to clean with a pressure washer — just double-check with your siding manufacturer that pressure washing is safe. Otherwise, a bucket of soap and water, a soft-bristled brush, and some elbow grease will have your home sparkling in no time.

Next, give your windows some attention with a garden hose and window cleaner. Rinse your screens and window to remove any pollen and dirt with a garden hose. Choose your favorite glass cleaner to give your windows a final polish.

Perfect your porch

Your front patio welcomes guests to your home and can be a great spot for entertaining. Start with a good clean and check for any repairs that need to be made. If you haven’t refinished your deck or patio in the last three years, now’s the time to do it!

Once your basic maintenance is taken care of, consider these projects to refresh your patio.

Update your patio furniture

Outdoor furniture is exposed to all kinds of weather so it will need a little love to look its best. Furniture in good condition may benefit from a fresh coat of paint and a deep clean. Consider reupholstering padded furniture for a new look or just replacing the seating to save some money.

You can also revive your outdoor seating with a few simple touches to bring the comforts of your home outside. Consider a statement piece like a hanging chair or a vintage coffee table. A bold rug can also add comfort and a nice pop of color or pattern.

Accent with a bold color

If your porch still feels like it’s missing something, consider adding more color to add some interest. The front door is a great place to play with color that can warm your patio and curb appeal.

It’s a good idea to start with one bold color that compliments your home’s exterior and build it up as you feel comfortable. If you love your new front door, consider painting your shutters, adding complementary flowers to your garden, or getting outdoor pillows for your patio furniture to match.

Liven your landscaping

Guests may not see your front porch or sparkling siding from the street, but they will see your front yard and landscaping. You can have a stunning yard without a high-maintenance garden with some planning and regular yard work.

Choose a focal point

Decide what feature in your yard you want to highlight the most. This could be a large tree, a fountain, or a flower bed you enjoy. Plan your landscape design around this feature and ways you can pull focus to it. Solar lights, brick edging, and fresh flowers, and mulch can all add interest without a lot of time or money.

Add beauty to function

Take a look around your yard and see what functional elements you can dress up in a day. Your mailbox, air conditioner, and driveway may be pretty bland parts of your home.

Consider planting flowers or shrubs around these features to add some beauty and color to your yard. You may also install small edging around sidewalks or the mailbox, while you can place a trellis or decorative fence to hide large appliances like your HVAC system.

Play with planters

Planters are an easy way to add beautiful plants to your landscaping without digging up your yard. This also lets you play with levels, adding interest to your landscape design.

Planters are easy to move so you can bring them inside as the seasons change or even move them to your porch to extend your beautiful landscaping. Choose fun colors and shapes to match your style or even upcycle items like old furniture and vintage pots for a unique and eco-friendly aesthetic.

With a thorough scrub, a fresh coat of paint, and some time in the garden you can boost your home’s look in a weekend. These DIY curb appeal ideas are sure to impress and have your home ready to host the next summer cookout.