What Is Curb Appeal? How You Can Improve Yours

Curb appeal is how a home is viewed from the street. It's a blend of symmetry, colour, and maintenance that can captivate or deter prospective buyers at first glance. 

Whether it's a fresh coat of paint on the front door, a well-manicured lawn, or strategic lighting, small changes can make a significant impact.

What Is Curb Appeal?

What is curb appeal exactly? Curb appeal is simply how attractive your home looks from the street or sidewalk to a prospective buyer. It's the first thing people notice when they drive by or pull up to your house.

Your home's curb appeal includes everything visitors see from outside—your yard, front door, driveway, and the overall condition of your home's exterior. Many real estate agents describe the general attractiveness of a house as its curb appeal.

Homes that look great from the sidewalk to a prospective buyer sell faster and for more money. Why? Because that first impression tells potential buyers a lot about how well you've taken care of the piece of property.

Want to increase curb appeal? Start with basic maintenance like mowing the lawn, giving your front door a fresh paint, or sprucing up your entryway. Inexpensive tasks can improve curb appeal in significant ways. Small changes can make a BIG difference!

Why Does Curb Appeal Matter?

First impressions count—especially when selling your home. When prospective buyers drive up, they make snap judgments about your house before they even step inside. It’s a big mistake when selling to forget about this key factor.

A well-kept exterior suggests the whole house has been cared for properly. This builds confidence that the piece of property is worth the asking price.

Did you know homes with great curb appeal often sell for 7% more than similar homes with less appealing exteriors? Plus, they typically sell faster too! Real estate agents focus on curb appeal specifically because they know it attracts potential buyers.

Improving curb appeal isn't just for sellers. Even if you're staying put, wouldn't you rather come home to a house that makes you smile? Creating curb appeal benefits everyone!

Easy Ways to Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal

If your home isn’t selling, it could be because buyers are turned off by its exterior. 

Ready to make your home look better from the street? Here are simple projects that increase curb appeal without breaking the bank.

Paint Your Front Door

Want to transform your home in just a few hours? Paint your front door! A fresh coat in the right colour can completely change how your house looks.

Bold colours like red, blue, or yellow make your entrance pop, while black or dark green create a classic, elegant look. Choose a colour that works with your home's style and exterior colours.

Beyond looks, paint also protects your door from weather damage. Think of it as a two-for-one upgrade—better appearance and better protection!

This small project costs about $30-$50 for paint and supplies but can boost your home's value by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Talk about return on investment!

Pressure Wash Your Driveway & House

Is your home looking a bit dingy? Rent a pressure washer for a day and watch years of dirt and grime disappear!

Pressure washing removes stains, mould, and mildew from driveways, siding, walkways, and decks. The difference is often shocking—surfaces can look almost new again.

You can rent a pressure washer for about $75 per day from most hardware stores. Just be careful with the pressure setting—too high can damage wood and some types of siding.

After cleaning your driveway, consider applying a sealer to keep it looking fresh longer. This extra step prevents stains and extends the life of concrete and asphalt.

Plant Colourful Flowers

Nothing says "welcome" like flowers! Adding colourful plants to your front yard creates instant curb appeal.

Mix perennials (plants that come back every year) with annuals (plants that bloom for one season). This gives you year-round structure with bursts of seasonal colour.

Don't have a green thumb? Choose low-maintenance plants that thrive in your climate. Your local garden center can help you pick plants that are hard to kill!

Even a few flower pots on your porch or by your front door can make a big difference. Group three pots of different heights for the biggest impact.

Keep Your Landscaping Trimmed

Overgrown bushes and messy yards scream "neglect." Regular yard maintenance and landscaping keep your home looking its best.

Mow your lawn weekly during growing season. Keep the edges neat along walkways and driveways.

Prune bushes and trees so they don't block windows or pathways. Remove dead branches and thin out overgrown areas.

Pull weeds regularly, especially in visible areas like flower beds. Adding mulch helps prevent weeds and gives beds a clean, finished look.

Even if you're not a gardening pro, keeping things neat goes a long way toward good curb appeal.

Add Outdoor Lighting

Lighting does double duty—it makes your home safer AND more attractive. Plus, it lets your curb appeal shine after dark!

Solar path lights are an easy DIY project. Just push them into the ground along walkways and driveways. They charge during the day and turn on automatically at night.

Add lights under the eaves to highlight your home's architecture. Hanging a new light fixture on your porch makes your entrance more welcoming.

Spotlight special features like a beautiful tree or water feature. Even simple string lights can add magic to your outdoor space.

Good lighting makes your home look great day and night while helping visitors navigate safely.

Replace Old Fixtures

Are your house numbers rusty? Is your mailbox dented? Do you still have that brass doorknob from 1987? Time for an upgrade!

Replacing old, outdated fixtures gives your home a fresh, modern look. Focus on:

• House numbers
• Mailbox
• Door hardware (knobs or handles)
• Porch light fixtures
• Kickplate on your front door

These small details might seem minor, but updating them creates a cohesive, well-maintained look. The best part? Most of these projects take less than an hour and cost under $100.

Curb Appeal Checklist

To find out whether your home passes the curb appeal test, stop in front of it when you're driving home one day and take a look at it as a potential buyer would. 

What is your first impression? Would you consider scheduling a home showing based on the outside appearance?

• Is the driveway in good shape? Are there any oil stains present?
• Has the grass been mowed recently?
• Is there any paint peeling?
• Is there any clutter in the yard or on the front porch?
• Are there any weeds in the flower beds?
• Does the house look dirty?
• Do the windows need a cleaning?
• Does the fence need repairs?
• Is the walkway to the front door clear of debris?

Do this exercise during the light of day so you don't miss anything important. Put together a list of "to-do" items that can make your home more presentable on the outside. 

While you may have the perfect home inside, buyers may overlook the house based on their first impression of the exterior.

Curb Appeal Pays Off

Small improvements to your home's exterior can make a HUGE difference in how it looks and feels. Whether you're selling soon or staying put, better curb appeal means:

• Higher property value
• Faster sale if you do list your home
• Pride when you pull into your driveway
• Compliments from neighbours and visitors

You don't need to tackle everything at once. Even one weekend project, like applying fresh paint to your front door or planting flowers, can transform your home's appearance.

Increase curb appeal based on what potential buyers will notice first from the sidewalk. Start with the most visible issues first. Then work on one project at a time until your home becomes the one everyone slows down to admire as they drive by!