7 Easy Ways To Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Whether we’re selling our home or engaging in friendly competition with the neighbours, we all look for ways to boost our home’s curb appeal. We’ve got tips from an expert so you can make your home the crown jewel of the street.

First impressions count for a lot in life, particularly when we’re talking about the home. Why? Because it’s the public face of your property, communicating your style to the neighbourhood. Moreover, small exterior changes can boost curb appeal and add value to your house, helping it attract more interested buyers.

In conversation with Ade Labinjo, CEO & Co-Founder of Breezeful — a leading online mortgage broker based in Ontario — we sat down and discussed seven easy, yet impactful ways to boost your home’s curb appeal. Here is what Ade had to say:

1. Outdoor lighting

Lighting sets the mood and illuminates your home in the dead of night, which not only helps you find your lock in the dark but also keeps your home shining bright.

“Lighting is a classy way to boost curb appeal”, says Ade Labinjo. “You don’t need a blinding security light to make your home more secure. Instead, hanging lanterns on the porch has functionality and style. The warm glow is a welcome addition to the exterior of your home”.

2. Don’t scrub the shrubs

Plants are a powerful tool for bringing your curb to life. They are a welcoming and calming presence that when displayed right can be a real head-turner.

“The most simple way to boost curb appeal is to embrace the power of flowers.”, Says Ade Labinjo. “From statement ferns to blooming pyracantha, there’s no limit to what you can grow in the front garden. If you don’t have a front lawn to spare, containers and urns are a great way to add some greenery and structure to your home’s exterior”.

3. Freshen up the front door

A lick of paint can do the world of good, especially if it means freshening up the gateway to your home — the front door. “A coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to boost curb appeal. If you want to preserve the natural wood on your front door, then varnish is a great way to bring your entrance to life”, says Ade Labinjo.

It’s also important to upgrade your front door hardware, adds Ade. ”You should keep up with the latest trends and update the old look. I recommend adding clean handles in a dark matte colour to embrace a more contemporary look”. Ade also suggests that “Traditional metals like bronze and brass never go out of fashion and create a real sense of character”.

4. Tidy the lawn

Upkeep of the lawn is often seen as a tedious chore, but if you want to boost curb appeal, letting the front garden grow wild simply isn’t an option.

“Giving the grass a regular cut makes the exterior of your house stand out”, says Ade Labinjo. “Often the front lawn can be a little unloved, especially compared to the back garden which usually gets the most attention”.

5. Wash paving and paths

Steps and outdoor paving pick up grime and dirt over time, leaving the exterior of your home looking old and tired — so it’s important to get scrubbing and maintain a fresh appearance.

“A pressure washer is your best friend when it comes to getting the grime off your paving”, says Ade Labinjo. Most good pressure washers come with a variety of accessories that clean even the hardest to reach spots, including between the cracks”.

6. Create a sense of symmetry

Finally, symmetry is an important principle to adopt if you want to boost curb appeal. It’s a great way to structure gardening tips and design your home with an expert flourish.

“Landscaping is all about symmetry”, says Ade Labinjo. “Having a symmetrical front garden brings structure and harmony that boosts curb appeal. To pull this off you have to define a central axis along a sightline of the garden. Here you can mirror plants, lighting and any other desired elements on either side”, concludes Ade.

If you want to give symmetrical landscaping a try in your front garden, this Pinterest board is a great source of inspiration. Here you can see all sorts of designs other people have used to give their home some professional flare.

First impressions count, especially when it comes to selling your home. From outdoor lighting to creating a sense of symmetry — this is how our expert, Ade Labinjo, believes you can easily boost your home’s curb appeal.