Cracking the curb appeal code
Curb Appeal
Some houses seem to have it while others just don’t. Let’s look further into what makes certain homes stand out.
What do these fabulous home fronts have in common? See below for our 5 tips to make your home the prettiest on the block.
1. Driveways
Edging driveways with stone or gravel can be a great solution to save your garden and lawn from clumsy drivers. It also makes the scale of the driveway appear larger which will often complement the home’s size. Just be sure to steer clear of unsightly metal edging.
2. High Impact Landscaping
To make the biggest impact with your landscape it’s important to keep your plant palette simple and include larger drifts of each plant. It’s tempting to go crazy at the flower store, purchasing one of each brightly flowered plant. Too much variety, though, tends to lack focus, creating a garden that resembles more of a Turkish bazaar than a well-balanced composition. But, if you practice a bit of restraint and choose a neutral base color, such as a white, you can maintain a cohesive setting and still add some variety and color using annuals. Another important aspect of high impact landscaping is to choose enough evergreen plants in varying sizes and shades of green to maintain the bones of the garden throughout the winter months, when perennial plants are out of the scene, and deciduous ones have lost their leaves.
3. Lighting
Lighting is probably one of the most overlooked yet highest impact aspects of tailoring your home’s curb appeal. When you spend time and money creating something outstanding, you should be able to enjoy it into the evening hours as well. Lighting your landscape lends a new perspective of your garden, not to mention safety from unwanted intruders. A must when lighting the front of your home is to keep it symmetrical. It provides balance and a focal point for the eye. When lighting the backyard, you can have more free range with placement, focusing on the functional aspects by lighting the most heavily used areas and highlighting special elements.
4. Hardware, House Numbers & Mailboxes
Choosing quality functional elements like mailboxes, lighting fixtures and house numbers can be a bit overwhelming. It’s important to consider the overall style of your home when choosing these elements. Is your house more traditional or über modern? Pick something that aligns with your home’s architectural style and features. Note clean lines or character details. Don’t forget to have a little bit of fun with your selection and pick items that speak to your personality. If you are selling your home, you may want to stick with items that are classic in style and appeal to a large group of people.
5. Style your Entry
Designing your entry can be the most subjective part of curb appeal. This is where you can express your personal style and set the tone of your home. The key is to keep the staple items aligned with the overall scene while letting your own taste shine through. Do this by selecting furnishings and planters that match the lines of your home and then add accessories to inject your own sense of style into the space. For example, you could use classical plant containers and paint your front door a fun color or add an inviting seating area with soft textiles and trendy pillows. Just make sure to keep your entry area fresh feeling and free of clutter. When those cut flowers lose their luster, kick them to the curb. Your entry is the first thing guests see upon entering and the last thing they see when leaving your home. Let it be something they’ll want to remember!
Tell us some of the things you’ve done to increase the curb appeal of your own home. Have you tried any of the suggestions I’ve mentioned? Post a photo and share the results. I’d love to see and hear what you’ve done.
