Key insights
Landscaping and power-washing are inexpensive and go a long way toward improving your home’s appearance.
Jump to insightPainting a house a light color will make it look bigger.
Jump to insightDefine the entryway by lighting the walkway and adding a pop of color to the front door to make your house look more inviting.
Jump to insightHow to improve your home’s curb appeal
You don’t need to start an entire home renovation to spruce up your home’s appearance. Here are seven simple ways you can make a big impact on the first impression your house makes on potential buyers.
1. Mow, trim and edge your lawn
To prepare your home to sell, trim trees and shrubs so that they don't hide your home's best attributes and start mowing the grass on a regular basis. “A properly mowed lawn is thicker, healthier,”said Chris Lemcke, technical director of Weed Man, a national lawn care service provider.
Lemcke's tips for a perfect lawn:
Mow every three to four days.
Mow when it’s dry to avoid slips and falls and maintain a sharper cut.
Alternate mowing patterns (horizontal versus vertical) each time you mow to keep your grass growing strong and straight.
Keep your mower blade sharp for a clean cut.
Toss clippings back on the lawn to feed your grass.
Never cut more than one-third of a blade of grass in one mowing.
To set the right mower height, measure the distance between the ground and the base of your lawn mower, Lemcke said. Here’s the best height for various grass types:
How short should you cut your lawn?
Depending on the grass type, we recommend keeping it cut to a certain length to keep it looking nice.
| Grass type | Moving height (inches) |
|---|---|
| Kentucky bluegrass | 2.5 to 3.5 |
| Bermuda | 1.5 to 2.5 |
| Tall fescue | 2.5 to 4 |
| St. Augustine | 2.5 to 4 |
| Zoysia | 0.75 to 2.5 |
Other lawn improvements
In addition to keeping your grass fresh and cut, you can elevate your lawn by adding borders and edging details and by decluttering the yard.
Edging your lawn means creating clear visual borders around its boundaries to keep your yard looking sharp and your walkways, porch, and/or patio looking clean and distinct. You can make these edges stand out with a simple spade or use a metal or stone border.
An even easier improvement is to declutter your yard, putting up or throwing away dead plants, trash bins, toys, etc. Keeping your lawn free of clutter helps emphasize your house's architecture and landscaping.
» WHAT’S YOUR NEXT MOVE? How to buy and sell a house at the same time
2. Clean and pressure-wash your house
Keeping your yard neat and tidy is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to boost curb appeal, says Robin Burrill, CEO and principal designer at Signature Home Services, a remodeling firm in Texas, whose pet peeve is dead plants in plant beds. And as long as you’ve got that shed door open, she adds, grab your power washer.
“Make sure your home is power-washed — windows washed and front porch washed clean, including the front door,” Burrill said. “A well-kept front door and landscaping gives guests a welcome feeling—and that’s important when you’re trying to encourage those guests to make an offer to buy.”
» IS IT WORTH IT? Home remodeling ROI: Costs vs. value
3. Paint your home's exterior
If cleaning your home’s exterior isn’t enough, you may have to take it a step further and consider painting.
“Painting a home’s exterior is part of home maintenance as much as it is curb appeal, as is replacing rotted wood and trim as needed,” Burrill said.
If your home hasn’t been painted in years, this is likely a job for the pros.
Splash a pale yellow, beige or tan shade on your siding to make your two-bedroom home seem like a spacious family residence,”
“Painting the exterior of your home is a big decision,” said Matt Kunz, president of Five Star Painting, which provides professional painting services in the U.S. and Canada. His rule of thumb? Bright colors make your home look bigger; dark colors make it look smaller.
“Want to make the most out of your humble abode?” he asked. “Splash a pale yellow, beige or tan shade on your siding to make your two-bedroom home seem like a spacious family residence.”
Don’t dismiss dark colors, however — they work magic in certain circumstances.
“Dark shades can be useful if your house is located on a small lot,” Kunz explained. “A dark green or earth tone can balance the size of your home within the size of the setting.”
Kunz recommends choosing paint colors outside in specific weather conditions. “These decisions are best made in natural light on a cloudy day or in open shade,” he said. “Bright sunlight can often distort colors.”
The design pros at your local home center help ensure the paint color you choose matches your home’s trim and roof, Burrill said. They can also help you choose a high-quality exterior paint.
“Making sure you get a great paint will make a world of difference,” she added.
4. Define your house’s entryway
People often notice your entryway first, so small changes can have a significant impact on your home’s appeal. Here are some suggestions:
Clean and paint your door: Even if the home doesn’t need a fresh coat, you may consider painting your front door a fresh color. Bright colors can make the door particularly stand out.
Alternatively, bring out your door's current color with a good scrub, or, if the door has experienced some damage, consider buying a new one. A new door in a style that suits the period of the home can instantly improve its curb appeal.
Choose some outdoor lighting: Once you’ve got your door looking good, consider the lighting around it. “Lighting around the entryway makes a big difference,” Burrill said. “It is important to match the lighting in style and size to the home. And most important, make sure the house number is large and well lit.”
Common landscape lighting options include solar path lights, sconces, step lights and spotlights. Make sure these lights have warm bulbs to create a more inviting atmosphere.
Update your walkway: Over time, the walkways or pathways around your house can grow weathered and stained. Pressure-washing, repairing cracks or using a new material like pavement or stone can create a stronger visual presentation as buyers are walking up to your house.
5. Replace your garage door
Another change that makes a world of difference to the front of your house is freshening up your garage door. Let’s face it: A garage door takes a beating from daily use and changes in the weather. Make sure your garage door closes properly and operates smoothly before prospective buyers try it out.
Steer away from the old-style white metal and go with another color or for deco wood doors that match your house.”
Consider the style as well. The garage door that came with the house when you bought it may not be the right style. Garage doors have come a long way, with new options that look like wood but are made of hardy materials.
“Steer away from the old-style white metal and go with another color or for deco wood doors that match your house,” Kunz said.
6. Update your fixtures and hardware
Replacing outdated fixtures and hardware is an affordable way to make your home look refreshed. Swap out old light fixtures, door handles, knockers and house numbers for more modern or stylish options that complement your home’s design. These small upgrades can instantly elevate your home’s curb appeal without breaking the bank.
7. Add decor
One of the simplest and cheapest ways to improve your curbside appeal is to spruce up the house with decor. Try a few of the following ideas:
Plants: Bring color and charm to your exterior by adding plants and flowers in planters and hanging baskets or planting them around the house. Seasonal blooms can make your home feel warm and welcoming, while evergreen shrubs add vibrancy and life. Mix different plant heights, textures and colors to create visual interest. Be sure to water and maintain them regularly to keep everything looking fresh.
Window boxes and shutters: Emphasize your house's architectural accents by adding window boxes with healthy plants and/or shutters that match the trim of your house. Make sure the window boxes and shutters are proportional to your windows to maintain a balanced image.
Porch furniture and decor: Adding furniture and accent decor to your front porch is a fun way to draw interest to your house and signal to buyers that the space is livable. Try a patio or bistro set, a swing or a bench. Also make sure to include a clean doormat, and throw in some seasonal decor if you're selling during holidays or changes in seasons.
FAQ
How can I add curb appeal cheaply?
There are a few things you can do to increase your curb appeal yourself, including mowing the grass and trimming bushes and trees. You can rent equipment to power-wash the siding, windows and trim, as well as the porches and decks.
You can also paint the front door and your garage door. These strategies only take a bit of sweat and effort and minimal dollars, but they go a long way toward presenting your home at its best.
How can I make my house look bigger?
Paint your home a lighter color to make it look bigger. “Light colors make your home look bigger; dark colors make your home look smaller,” said Matt Kunz, President of Five Star Painting. Also consider darker trim colors, vertical lighting and landscaping with taller shrubs/small trees to create the illusion of contrast, space and height.
How can I achieve a green lawn by the first open house?
If your lawn isn’t looking its best because of the season, consider painting the grass. There are nontoxic paint products for this purpose that claim not to harm the grass. You add more or less water to dilute the color until you achieve your desired shade of green. Be sure to first cover pavers and lawn ornaments that you want to protect from overspray, though.
How can I add curb appeal without plants?
You may live in an area with a dry climate that doesn't support common decorative plants, or you may not have the time or "green thumb" to keep the plants looking fresh and presentable. There are plenty of options to improve your curbside appeal without plants, including adding porch decor, walkway lights, cleaning and painting your house, and doing some general renovations if your budget allows.
