First impressions are everything, and how your property looks from the outside can reveal a lot about the inside too. According to the HomeOnwers Alliance survey of more than 2,000 UK adults, 68% of buyers place kerb appeal as a crucial deciding factor when making a property purchase.
Whether you’re trying to accelerate a sale or want to create somewhere you’ll be proud to come home to, there is an abundance of ways to spruce up the exterior.
Here are some of our top tips that won’t break the bank…
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Use your front door as a focal point
As the first thing passers-by will see, your front door provides an excellent opportunity to really showcase style. As well as maintaining good condition, adding a lick of paint is a great place to start.
Rather than thinking about what might look ‘sensible’, think about the colours that really lift your mood and make your heart sing – from duck egg blues and pastel pinks to sunflower yellows and sage greens. Make it you.
While greys and whites might feel like a safe bet, they are undeniably restrained – but there are ways to uplift them if you don’t feel brave enough to go bold and prefer an understated entrance. Look at richer, deeper undertones that add a new dimension to typically neutral colours.
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Decorate your windows
Windows have the power to completely transform the overall feel of your property – so it’s important you don’t neglect them. Adding shutters that match the front door colour, or elegant canopies to frame each opening, can add that perfect finishing touch.
For a more affordable alternative to spruce up your windows, films come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles to suit your needs – from plain and frosted, to coloured and patterned.
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Pay attention to lighting
Outdoor lighting, by the front door or to decorate the driveaway, can add a really welcoming feel to your property. And, with solar and LED options available to satisfy the eco-conscience, there are ways to make lighting sustainable too.
If your budget won’t stretch to large, complex fixtures, there are plenty of quick-win options such as stake lights, to push into the garden soil.
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Add character with plants
A simple way to smarten up your front garden is to add a touch of greenery – whether that’s in pots, hanging baskets, or as planted foliage.
Whatever you opt for, keep it limited to a set colour scheme to add consistency and structure, with pops of seasonal colour to bring it to life. September, for example, brings a delightful late Summer hydrangea, as well as a dainty and delicate Hesperantha.
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Maintain your driveway
While it might sound obvious, ridding the exterior of your property from nasties such as weeds and filling the gaps between pavers is one of the most important ways to boost your home’s kerb appeal. Not only will it make everything look tidier from the outside, it will also extend the association of good housekeeping to the interior.
If your budget allows, laying a gravel driveway can not only boost value, but add a level of prestige too. With so many versatile options of chipping available, there’s on option to suit every style and age of property.
Do you have any winning tips of your own? Let’s hear them! Get in touch on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
