Boost Curb Appeal: A Fresh New Look for Your Tired Home in just 5 Days— DIY & Budget-Friendly! (Psst…Barbie makes an appearance in this one)
Why does curb appeal matter? The outside of your home is the first impression visitors get. Even how you feel about your home when you pull in the drive can set the tone for your mood and how you go about your day. Improving curb appeal not only makes everything look nice and more welcoming, but it also increases your home value. So, if you feel like your home’s looking tired and could use a little pick-me-up, let’s talk about some simple ways to help her get her groove back, without breaking the bank. If you follow this day-by-day itinerary as it’s laid out, you can have a fresh new look in less than a week! Alternatively, you’re more than welcome to do more than one day’s worth of tasks at a time, or slow and steady works just fine too!
Day 1: Let’s just start by tidying up. This step isn’t going to apply to everyone, but if you’re like me, your yard has kids’ toys, bikes and garden hoses scattered about. Moving all out-of-place items to a singular designated spot, like in the garage or to an outdoor toybox, will go a long way towards making your place more attractive; you’ll go from looking like you’re about to have a garage sale, to looking a bit more presentable. And when I say “you”, I don’t mean to imply that you personally look like you’re about to haggle a deal with a neighbor over that vintage mother goose cookie jar from the 80’s ; I’m talking about your home, right, although Lord knows I’ll be doing all these tasks in my sweatpants, wearing socks with sandals, with my hair up in a mom-bun, absolutely NOT looking presentable; and that’s not likely to change once I declutter the yard. Is your deck or porch covered with leaves, dirt, or in my case, more sand than what’s in the sandbox? Just broom it off and call it a day. Start step 2 tomorrow, because let’s face it, we are now tired and deserve a break. And a treat.
Day 2: Now let’s add a little elbow grease and do some cleaning. Hose off, or better yet— power wash, your sidewalks, decks, patios, and outdoor furniture. I’d also suggest giving your siding and windows a spray down because once you remove the dust and grime, it’s going to look so. much. better.
Day 3: Let’s tackle the landscaping. This can be as simple as mowing your lawn and edging your flower beds with the weed-eater (both today, and more often). If you don’t currently have landscape beds, investing in some flowers, plants, and trees for your yard will create such an inviting environment. If you want to obtain some trees on a limited budget, you can become a member of the Arbor Day Foundation and receive 10 trees for just $10. If you’re patient, you can also grow your own flowers from seed, which is less expensive than buying them as established plants. If you already have some landscaping going on though, this would be a good day to do some pruning and mulching. A well-maintained yard definitely makes your property and home more attractive.
Day 4: Revamp your entry area. You could update your front door by painting it (unless it’s a beautiful solid wood door, then don’t do that…but maybe a different stain color?). Try a bold color to liven things up and change the whole mood of your home! Even if you don’t go for bold, just adding a fresh coat of paint in a complementary color can make your door a striking focal point. Next up: you could swap out your old house numbers for some new ones that match your vibe better and are easier to read. While you’re at it, could your mailbox use some updating too?
Day 5: Okay, it’s day 5 and time to have some fun— let’s accessorize! (You got the touch, the Baaarbiiie touch, all you gotta do is accessoriiiiiize— please watch the video below so you don’t think I’m nuts. I loved this movie. You’ll even see a clip of my sister and I politely arguing at the end of the video, as portrayed by actors.) This is the day when you add the finishing touches to all your hard work. Add a new welcome mat to your front door— don’t shy away from showing your personality here! In addition to the welcome mat, framing your walkway and main entry with some beautiful flowerpots on both sides is an easy way to highlight the work you did to your entry. I bet you already have some old pots or planters around that you could bring back to life with a coat of paint. I actually think this step along with Day 4 alone, highlighting your entry, can really transform your curb appeal. Have any solar lights? Line your walkways or flower beds with them to bring some life to your yard at nighttime too!
Keep it simple this day, less is more when it comes to accessories (but too little is not enough)!
With just a few updates, some organization, and a little elbow grease, you can truly transform the way your house presents itself to the world (and to you), in just a few days! A well-maintained home offers the type of curb appeal that increases value, and that you can take pride in.