Embrace these curb appeal tips and make your home shine.
It doesn’t take a significant overhaul to perk up yourhome’s exterior.
So why wait until something breaks, chips, or rots to make some changes?
Credit: Robbie Caponetto; Produced: Mark Thompson; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Plus, you’ll get a little thrill every time you pull into the driveway.
Let the curb appeal sprucing start by trying a few update suggestions.
It can work on a brick or white house," she explains.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
“It really pulls everything together.”
What’s her second-favorite color?
“A raspberry shade on a white house,” she adds.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Plant Colorful Pots
Considerplanters' accessoriesthat change with the seasons.
If you have steps leading to the front door, add a pair of topiaries or groupings of pots.
“Keep it simple with contrasting shades.
Credit: Ralph Anderson
If you have a redbrick house, you don’t necessarily want pink blooms right next to it.
Purple and blue stand out against a white clapboard house, but then again, so does green!”
“I love a picket fence,” says Daigh.
Credit: Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Container Arrangements: Tom Ericson/The Transplanted Garden; Location: The Cottages at Ocean Isle Beach, NC
A wooden fence with simple diagonal cuts is ideal for a bungalow or Craftsman-style home.
Or invest in a wrought iron fence for more stately architecture, like Georgian.
“Keep it lowno taller than 32 inches.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
You don’t want your home to seem like a prison,” she says.
Spray Away Grime
Pressure washingis quick, inexpensive, and satisfying.
Much like getting your shoes shined, it’s a simple task with a huge payoff.
Credit: Hector Sanchez
you might rent a pressure washer from your local home-improvement store.
“Let the architecture shine.
Allow the foundation to show; it will give the home presence.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Layers of overgrown landscaping can muddy up the look,” she says.
When in doubt,stick with boxwoods.
Wow With Window Boxes
They’re a lot like puppieshigh maintenance but cute.
Credit: Alison Miksch
Grow The Good Vines
Not allclimbing vinesare created equal.
At their best, they give any house that storybook feel.
At worstshriveled and brown or overgrownthey make it look more like a haunted mansion.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Another option is the Jackson vine, which is evergreen and thrives in Alabama and Georgia.
Daigh also recommends star jasmine.
Splurge On A Big Swing
The bed swing is the newporch swing.
Credit: Photo: Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Container Arrangements: Tom Ericson/The Transplanted Garden; Location: The Cottages at Ocean Isle Beach, NC
Old wrought iron gliders and wooden rockers will do the trick too.
Accessorize The Right Way
Do confirm you have an attractive mailbox.
Clark says it should generally match the style of your neighbors' ones for a more unified look.
Credit: Ralph Anderson
Windows connect the homeowners with the surrounding environment, neighbors, and people passing by.
Let the colors speak to the style of the home.
Add a patriotic red on the window shutters of arustic homeor shades of blue surrounding a beach cottage.
Credit: Arpad Benedek/Getty Images
Roof care can make a big difference when looking at a home’s curb appeal.
Loose shingles or sunken spots denote a run-down atmosphere and can dissuade future buyers.
Another way to change the house’s visual interest is by extending the front porch.
Credit: Robbie Caponetto
Get Into The Holidays
Holiday orseasonal decoris a foolproof way to boost your home’s curb appeal.
The colorful and playful theme follows through to the outside of the home, too.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Liz Strong
Credit:JAMES RANSOM; STYLING: Veronica Olson
