Spring has sprung — although just barely in some areas, since it is still soggy and brown rather than lush and green just yet. If you are trying to sell or rent your home this spring, you may worry that your post-winter yard won’t exactly be drawing people in. But who has time to totally redo the yard, especially in a house they aren’t planning on staying in? Or maybe your budget is too tight to take on any ambitious landscaping plans. There are easy, inexpensive ways to add curb appeal for spring. Read on for 5 easy ways to add curb appeal this spring.
Declutter your yard and porch. This one doesn’t cost a thing except time, sweat, and some garbage bags (or trips to the dump). Don’t underestimate the power of a good old fashioned cleaning to upgrade your curb appeal. Remove unnecessary items that have found their homes in your yard or on your porch. Get rid of those dead plants — you can replace them with fresh ones. A few windchimes or birdfeeders can be charming, but if you have a dozen hanging around, are back. Knock the cobwebs out of the corners and take the moths out of the porch light fixture. (Change the bulb while you’re in there.) Take time to rake up trash and leaves, sweep the porch, and maybe even hose the porch down. If your yard and porch are very cluttered or there are large items to remove, you might consider renting a dumpster for a day.
Upgrade your front door. Step back and take a look at your front door. Does it say, “Welcome home”? If not, give it an upgrade. You can simply replace the door with something more modern or simply better looking — take a look at real estate listings for houses like yours to see what styles people are using. If you don’t want to replace the door itself, consider painting it a color that contrasts with your house. Bright red, purple, and blue doors have become fashionable in recent years. Replacing your hardware can also give your door a quick upgrade. For a finishing touch, add a pretty or whimsical doormat.
Fill those pots. Potted plants are one of the easiest ways to quickly add curb appeal. If you have pots already, assess whether they are in good shape. You can paint terra cotta pots to brighten them up. If you need new pots, you can often find them at thrift and dollar stores. Buying your plants in pots and already established is an even faster way to add some green and color to your porch and yard. Lush greenery and bright flowers draw the eye and make everything look fresh, even if the grass is still a little brown from winter. If you choose to use potted plants, be sure water and care for them!
Wash up. Break out the power washer! Winter can leave your windows streaky and your exterior dull. Taking the time to power wash the house and windows adds sparkle and makes it clear that your home has been well cared for. You can outsource this job to professionals, or you can rent a power washer at your home improvement store and go after it yourself. Clean your gutters while you’re up there. Bonus: A good power washing will reveal whether you need to repaint all or part of your home’s exterior.
Tend to the lawn and flower beds. Even if it’s not warm enough yet to mow or plant, or your tulips and other spring flowers haven’t come up, it’s important to tend to the lawn and flower beds. Make sure that all dead plants are removed. Replace the mulch. Prepare the beds so that the new occupants know they’re ready for planting when the weather is right. Rake and trim the lawn as needed. If you’ve got bare spots, consider seeding or laying down new sod. Trim hedges and trees to give clean lines. You can also consider planting a new tree or bush(es) to add some life to the yard. Planting flowers, or placing potted plants, along the sidewalk edge of the lawn or fence can also be a quick way to draw the eye.
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