Five Tips to Ensure Your House Has Amazing Curb Appeal

Previously, we blogged about edging and how clean lines can make your yard look clearly defined. Now it's time to zoom out: while edges are what frame a picture, curb appeal is what people zero in on.

You know you have great curb appeal when people passing by your home compliment you on how great it looks. Curb appeal elevates your home's value in the neighborhood. It also becomes important when you go to sell your home. Ask any realtor: curb appeal matters.

Attaining curb appeal may take a little work, but a complete overall is not usually necessary. With a few small changes here and there, you can make your home really stand out and become the envy of everyone else in the neighborhood.

In this article, we've outlined five great tips to achieve great curb appeal.

When you choose a strong focal point at the front door, layer your landscaping, use thoughtful lighting, tidy up your yard, and add personal effects, your entire property will have the curb appeal you've always admired.

1. If it's in front, focus on the front door

On most homes, the front door is typically where the eye naturally wants to land. When the front entry looks powerful and inviting, the entire property seems more attractive.

Start with color. A front door that contrasts with the color of your home—be it brick, cedar, stone, or aluminum siding—can accent the entire house. Install a red door against a light facade or a white door against a dark facade and you're on your way to great curb appeal.

Pay attention to the hardware on the door. The right color—gold, silver, bronze, or something else, can really make your door "pop." A knocker looks great, but only if your door's style calls for it. Doorbells make great accessories and come in many different styles. If you're opting for a doorbell camera, you may be limited here, but pick the color that goes best.

If you have steps, you'll need a railing. Pick a design that sticks with the theme of your house: classic, modern, etc. When it comes to color, it should accent your door. Paint is an easy thing to change if you try one color and decide you don't like it. Don't be afraid to experiment to get the color you want.

Have fun putting on final touches with the change of the seasons. You can complement your entryway with a pair of planters to enhance curb appeal. In northern Illinois, tulips are great in the spring, daisies in the summer, mums in the fall, and evergreens in the winter.

For a more elaborate look, LawnCare by Walter offers seasonal décor and planters to really accent your home.

If your front door does not face the street, but is on the side of the house, you'll want to pick another focal point. LawnCare by Walter has experience designing landscapes for different types of houses and can help you find your house's "center."

2. Install consistent layered landscaping

You do not need to have a complex plan for planting in order to have great curb appeal. What you do need, however, is the right plant in the right place and a bit of layering so the front of the house does not look boring.

Plant near the side of your house, but leave a little room. You should be able to squeeze between the wall of your house and the shrubbery. Evergreen shrubs are perfect plants and look great under windows. Space them apart from one another so that the branches grow outward for a full look.

Keep evergreen shrubs trimmed evenly below the window line. They can be squared off or rounded out, depending on the look you want. Remember, evergreen shrubs not only enhance the beauty of your home, when fully grown, they can serve as a cushion from a second story window in case of a fire.

Curb appeal is often acquired with a layered look. Start tall in the back toward the house, then plant medium plants in the center, followed by flowers in the front. Perennials up front are a good choice. Ideally, you want to "step down" from the height of your house to the height of your lawn.

Think about year-round curb appeal — that means mixing evergreens with flowering shrubs, ornamental grasses, and perennials that offer color in different seasons. You want something interesting in spring, summer, and fall. For winter, you'll need a year-round plant to avoid a barren look.

Keep it simple. Two or three main plant varieties repeated across the front usually look more polished than a different plant every three feet. Repetition creates rhythm and calms the eye.

Curb appeal is not just a daytime concept. Lighting can make your property feel warm, safe, and more upscale without being too flashy.

3. Use lighting to enhance your home

Curb appeal is not just a daytime concept. Many of us come home after sunset for much of the year. Lighting can make your property feel warm, safe, and more upscale without being too flashy.

Start with function. Make sure your porch light is bright, clean, and in good condition. We recommend replacing dated fixtures with something that matches the style of your home. You'd be surprised what a difference a light fixture can make.

Consider low level lighting. Path lights along the main walk, a small spotlight on a favorite tree, or a gentle ray of light on the front of the house can add depth to your property. Remember, you are not trying to flood the yard. You are merely highlighting key features so the property takes shape and adopts its own character at night.

House numbers should be easy to see from the street after dark. This is for both safety and convenience as well as for aesthetics. Consider a modern plaque or backlit numbers that complement your lighting plan.

In winter, good lighting also works with snow to reflect light and make long evenings feel less harsh—a nice bonus the northern climate has to offer.

4. Pay close attention to details

Sometimes curb appeal is less about adding and more about editing. Sometimes there are small items that can quietly drag down the overall look of the landscape even if the lawn and beds are in good shape.

Things to consider:

• Gutters and downspouts. Are they sagging or streaked?
• Garage doors. Do they need paint, new trim, or updated hardware?
• Driveways and walks. Are there oil stains, cracks, or weeds in joints?
• Mailbox and post. Do they match the house in style and condition?

Power washing siding, steps, and walks can make a house look younger. Replacing a dented mailbox, straightening leaning posts, and updating worn house numbers is an economical way to make a big impact and enhance curb appeal.

Deal with visual clutter too. Consider anchoring a reel for your garden hose. If it's left on the ground, it looks untidy. Avoid parking trash cans where visible.

5. Add personal effects

The most attractive homes need not be the biggest, fanciest, or most expensive. Sometimes, they are simply the ones that appear well cared for. You can create curb appeal easily with a few well-chosen touches based on your unique circumstances.

For example, a small seating area such as a pair of chairs on a front porch, a bench under a tree, or a small bistro can be very appealing and make a house look like a home. The key is to look like you really enjoy living there.

Use containers to bring color where there is no soil. Planters on steps, hanging baskets near the porch, or a large pot by the garage corner can soften hard surfaces and tie colors together. Change them seasonally so the front of the house appears updated throughout the year.

Take a second look at your front lawn from the inside of your home. Do you like what you see? If you don't, then something needs to be changed. Remember, this is your home and the one you really need to please the most is you.

Finally, be consistent. If the style of your home is classic, then focus on symmetry and timeless colors. If you live in a cottage, you might want to stick to softer plants and playful accents. Remember, landscaping looks best when it goes with the house.

When you choose a strong focal point at the front door, layer your landscaping, use thoughtful lighting, tidy up your yard, and add personal effects, your entire property will have the curb appeal you've always admired.

If you are not sure where to start or which changes you need to make, LawnCare by Walter can evaluate your property and give you some guidance on how to get that curb appeal you're looking for.