Curb appeal is what attracts people — both buyers and customers — to your homestead. It’s the little things that make your home look nice, from a well-maintained garden to an updated roof. If you’re planning to put your homestead on the market, 94 percent of Realtors suggest sellers improve their curb appeal before listing.
Curb appeal isn’t just for the real estate market, though. If you plan to stay in your home, small renovations can attract new customers and add convenient improvements to better fit your lifestyle. If you want to start a new project on your homestead this weekend, consider the five renovation ideas below.
1. Pay Attention to Landscaping
Increasing curb appeal can mean adding an entire new wing to your home, but it can also start with something simple — the landscape. Pull weeds like crabgrass, dandelions and thistle from your lawn and cut down invasive vines. Cover up bare spots with sod or seed, and put a crisp edge around flower and garden beds and consider mulch for coverage.
It’s also a good idea to trim down overgrown shrubs or replace them with a leafier alternative that requires less maintenance. Look for perennials, which will come back each spring with colorful blooms.
2. Utilize Outdoor Living Space
As a homesteader, you know the value of spending time outdoors. Exposure to natural sunlight can boost the body’s supply of vitamin D, which can decrease the risk of developing diseases like arthritis, hypertension, asthma and influenza.
For your next project, create an inviting and relaxing atmosphere outdoors. Build a gazebo or update your garage door for maximum flare – then add some comfortable but practical seating. Add fixtures like tables, a bar, fire pits, lighting and decor. Not only will this space add value to your home, but it will also be the perfect spot to take a break from chores or have dinner outdoors.
3. Repair or Replace Your Roof
Is your roof in disrepair? Homebuyers are often wary of a roof in bad shape, as it can mean additional repairs after moving in. Schedule an update to ease buyer concerns and up the asking price.
If you plan to stay in your home, a replacement is a long-term guarantee the roof above your head will stand the test of time, with materials like cedar able to protect and insulate against harsh weather like wind gusts. Start with a power wash to brighten everything up, and look for any shingles that may need to be replaced. More complex damage will likely require help from a professional.
4. Focus on the Kitchen
When you can’t spend time outdoors, the kitchen becomes the most popular room in the house. As a homesteader, upgrading this area can be a great way to add room for activities like canning leftover garden vegetables, dehydrating meats and fruits, baking sweets to sell and more. If you plan to sell your home, a kitchen remodel is a surefire way to attract interested buyers.
Start with adding energy-efficient appliances, which can reduce waste and cut your energy bill. Then focus on updating old-fashioned designs, such as replacing outdated linoleum with classic earth-toned marble.
5. Add Decorative Elements
A little goes a long way — both indoors and out. Stand outside the front of your home and think of the first areas guests will see. How can you add a little beauty? Incorporate a decorative water element into your front lawn, such as a burbling pond home to fish like koi, minnows and golden orfes. Add flower boxes beneath windowsills filled with bright annual blooms, such as chrysanthemums and dahlias.
When you step inside, consider how to make the space cozier. Reduce shadows with wall-mounted light sconces or multicolored floor lamps. You can also bring the green indoors by lining shelves with plants.
How to Enhance Your Curb Appeal
You don’t have to invest in a costly and time-consuming renovation to enhance your homestead’s curb appeal. Most projects that add value and convenience to your home will take less than a weekend to complete. From creating an outdoor living space to adding decorative elements like a koi pond, you can gain many benefits from enhancing your homestead’s appearance.
