What is, simultaneously, one of the most noticed areas of your home by guests, and yet the frequently one of the most neglected by you? Your own front door. If you watch property shows occasionally you may have come across the term 'kerb appeal' - and whether you're looking forward to welcoming guests, thinking about selling your home or even just wanting a sight to lift your spirits when you get in from work, it can really give your house a boost. It's all about creating a great first impression - you only have one shot. And, it's surprisingly easy and inexpensive to make a few small changes - or you can go further and do a complete makeover of your space.
Switch Up Your Front Door
In terms of things that make a statement about your home, the front door has to be right up there. It can change the entire look of your home when done in the right way.If it looks welcoming and well maintained, then people will assume that is how the rest of your home is as well. If you're selling, typically a buyer will make up their mind in the first eight seconds, so it's essential that your home looks great from the street. Even if you aren't selling, it's lovely to feel your heart lift when you get home and see an attractive, well-kept frontage. Sometimes this can be as simple as buying a pot of paint and changing the colour, along with updating the metal hardware - handles, letterboxes, numbers. Sometimes you may want to completely replace the existing door or even carry out some building work to construct an enclosed storm porch. This can also improve the security of your home and save energy by making the house better insulated, as well as looking great.
Make A Clear Pathway
When is the last time you thought about the pathway into your home? Hiring a jet washer can help you to blast away old, ingrained dirt from block paving and in many cases can make it look brand new. Clear away any weeds with a wire flagging brush, and replace any cracked or damaged sections. Alternatively, covering over tired old paving with slate chippings can look great. They also act as a burglar deterrent, as they amplify the sound of footsteps in the approach to your home. Adding solar lights on the pathway to your front door can also look hugely effective and doesn't use any power.
Add Some Greenery
If the front of your home is a bit stark then think about ways to introduce foliage and greenery as this softens the look considerably. Could you add a few planters with some foliage - either soft and trailing like wisteria or something more structural, such as topiary? Plants can also be a very effective way to hide the uglier features of the front of your home. Use trellising to help screen unattractive render, or mask power outlets and meters. If you have wheelie bins visible, consider a bin store with an inbuilt planter so you don't have to look at them. And if you don't want a lot of extra gardening and maintenance to factor in, why not fake it? You can order Artificial Grass Samples to see if it's for you - things have come a long way and there are many great looking options available these days. Plus, if your front entrance is in shade and you find it hard to get things to grow their, artificial bay trees can give the same look without struggling through lack of sunlight.
Touch Up Your Walls
The way your walls look can also have a big impact on the overall look of your property as well. If they are brick then having them repointed can futureproof against structural damage as well as facelifting the house, or you can also look at cladding or renders - these can be especially effective on uglier buildings. Although this is a relatively costly option, if the front of your house is extremely unattractive it can be a very worthwhile investment that can completely alter the saleability of your home.
Fix Any Broken Components
Blocked and leaking guttering, chipped soffits or fascias, cracked windows or peeling frames are a hugely off putting site. Potential buyers may wonder at the state of your home interior if the first impression is so negative, or simply wonder if the outward appearance of neglect means that there are larger, fundamental defects in the building you also haven't fixed. Details like this do seem minor, but the impression they create is more lasting. Most of these defects are easily put right and repaired, repainted or replaced without too much outlay.
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