Affordable Ideas To Improve Curb Appeal

Boost your home’s curb appeal with affordable and classy improvements that don’t need to be expensive. Whether you’re getting your home ready to sell or refreshing your porch for spring, try a few small projects that will make a big difference.

Simple Solutions

First impressions of your yard and the path leading to the front door should offer a welcoming vibe. Start with washing the windows, so they sparkle. Providing symmetry to your landscaping and decorating is visually appealing, so flank the front door with matching pots or plants. Coordinate décor and exterior garden accessory colors. When in doubt, refer to the color wheel for guidance. Pick any color on the color wheel, then move your finger to the opposite color. Colors opposite on the wheel are complementary colors.

Borrow and Build

You don’t have to purchase new lawncare gadgets to complete curb appeal jobs. Instead, borrow your neighbor’s power washer and work to remove the spiderwebs in the corners and the grime on your gutters. Try your local hardware store to rent a stick edging machine that creates a root barrier and stops the grass from invading your landscape and garden beds. Build and install flower boxes and shutters to add dimension to the front of the house.

Porch Perfect

One of the most appealing ways to showcase your home’s entrance is creating a cozy seating area on your porch. Maximize the space and let your style present your version of charm and flair. Consider spending as much attention to detail on your porch as you might in the baby’s room or your home office. Tackle these projects to refresh the entryway:

  • Upgrade the light fixtures and door handles
  • Paint the front door and add a porch swing if possible
  • Add potted plants for a splash of color 
  • Hang a wreath on the door and display seasonally festive pillows 

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Create a Color Splash In Your Yard

Create a color splash in your yard by following a few easy steps that add curb appeal to your home. As summer winds down, reintroducing rich hues to your yard design will draw attention to your home and make it a stand-out candidate for a fast sale.

Replace your tired annuals with a pop of fall color. The most popular autumn flowers are chrysanthemums (mums) or marigolds. Both of these are available in yellow, which is the number one home selling color, or burgundy and will add interest to the entrance of your home. Plant them in pots and place the pots on steps and along the sidewalk leading up to your front door.

Can’t maintain plant watering? That’s okay! You can brighten your porch by accenting with several types of squash and gourds or make a grouping of three large pumpkins. Want this fall look to last even longer? Don’t carve your pumpkins for Halloween. You can keep an uncarved pumpkin on your porch through Thanksgiving and get two holidays out of one purchase!

Accessorize your porch chair or swing with bright red, orange or golden yellow pillows. Place a new rug filled with color at the entrance to introduce a fresh look. Add a vibrant pumpkin lawn ornament or flag to your tidy landscape for a whimsical feel.

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Mulching Tips to Make Your Yard Look Great

Mulching Tips

If you want your yard to look its best, mulch is a great way to highlight various parts of your landscaping. These basics will help you get started.

  1. When to Mulch

When the weather starts to warm up it’s tempting to get started right away on landscaping. But don’t put mulch down too early in the spring. Give the soil a chance to warm up. Mulching too early will slow down the warming process and may cover up perennials that have not popped up from the ground. Normally, mid to late spring is the best time to put down mulch.

  1. How Much Mulch

The exact amount of mulch to place depends on the type you’re using, but generally you want about one or two inches of mulch. The main reason to apply mulch is to prevent weed growth, but too much mulch may stunt your plant growth. If you’re trying to keep a particular area free from any plant life, you can use as much mulch as you like.

  1. Choosing the Right Mulch

Choosing the right mulch material is your choice. Mulch’s purpose is to prevent weed growth, retain water, keep temperatures consistent and beautify the landscape. The color of the mulch is usually personal preference, but recycled mulch will break down more quickly and add nutrients to the soil. Rubber mulch is more expensive initially, but does not decompose.

Want more tips for caring for the outside of your home? The Mel Foster Co. blog has hundreds of articles for homeowners.

 


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