As a real estate broker, there’s one phrase Marco Kronen hears over and over again: “Wow, we should have done some of these things when we lived here.”
People go all out making their houses look cute and charming from the front … when they list it. Yes, refined curb appeal means a higher return when you sell. But you should also do it for yourself.
“When you spruce up your curb appeal, it makes you feel good when you come home,” says Kronen, a broker with Windermere Capitol Hill. “You won’t have to do it later, and you get to enjoy it while you live here.”
You can’t order curb appeal off Amazon. The concept isn’t limited to a certain architectural style or income bracket. Instead, it’s a general welcoming vibe you get from a home that is clearly loved and cared for.
“It just shows pride of ownership,” Kronen says, “and that the house is detailed and buttoned up.”
If you were to describe curb appeal in one word, it’s tidiness. A neatly trimmed and weeded front yard makes all the difference. Add a colorful pot of flowers and you are basically there.
It doesn’t require buckets of money to achieve, but it also doesn’t hurt if the homeowner is a bit handy. “A homeowner with a little time on YouTube and watching some videos, they can do some really great things,” Kronen says.
Seattle has a high cost of living, where a few cement steps or a new iron handrail can easily set you back thousands. So, we’ve limited this list to ways to boost your curb appeal for under $100.
1. Clean it up
Cost: free (with the right tools)
Tidiness won’t cost a penny, as long as you have a strong back, healthy knees and a few pieces of equipment.
Mow your lawn. Edge. Weed your planting beds. Prune trees and bushes, especially if they’re obscuring your windows. Take out old dead shrubs.
In other words: “Make it look like you actually care,” says Haley McKinley, founder of McKith Interiors in Edmonds.
Pressure wash the driveway, the sidewalk and the siding. Lightly clean the gutters and the garage too, to get the dust off. Kronen remembers one house in Shoreline that was transformed by a cleaning.
“It was night and day,” he says. “It was almost like they painted the house.”
If you don’t own a pressure washer, your neighbor might have one you can borrow. Or, check out tools from one of the 10 tool libraries around the Seattle area, suggests Sheley Bressler, a real estate agent and owner of Kitch Switch in Edmonds. Tool libraries are nonprofit organizations, and they’re free with membership.
Another free tip: Move any trash cans out of view, Bressler says. You’d be surprised how many otherwise beautiful homes park their trash out front. Apart from collection day, keep them tucked away.
If you have a few dollars, here’s where to spend it:
- For $5, you can buy a 2-cubic foot bag of mulch. Put down a fresh coat of dark mulch, which covers all kinds of flaws.
- For $11, Bressler recommends buying a pound of grass seed to sprinkle in the patchy mud spots in the front yard.
- For $20, you can buy a quart of exterior paint to touch up any peeling. (If you have paint stored in your garage, this step is free.)
“It’s super reasonable,” Bressler says. “You’ll have nice-looking curb appeal.”
2. Accessorize with a flower-filled planter
Cost: $20-50
The single best accessory you can buy is a pot of flowers to add some color around the front door. This trick even works for apartments, condos and townhomes. “Put a nice pot or two with flowers to make it really welcoming,” Kronen says.
Depending on the setup of your entryway, you can add a planter flanking either side of the door, or a small grouping to one side. This time of year, ready-made flowering pots can be found at Fred Meyer or Costco for $20 to $50. Pick something that’s in season, with color and texture.
“Also, pay attention to the scale,” Kronen says. “If you have a big door or entryway, pick something with some height, or set it on a stand.”
For planters, McKinley recommends Amazon for faux concrete planters under $100. Or, check HomeGoods, where they cost $35 to $40. Make sure it’s large enough to be seen from the street, and opt for concrete, grays or black, because white gets dirty too easily.
3. Update your house numbers
Cost: $12 per number
Everyone pulls up and looks at the address. Use it as a small moment to shine.
Bespoke house numbers cost hundreds of dollars. Alternatively, you can visit Home Depot or Lowe’s to pick out new numbers for about $12 apiece.
The type you choose depends on the color and style of your house. “Try to do something very modern looking,” Kronen says. Brushed silver is very popular, though Kronen recalls beautiful brushed brass numbers on a Rainier Beach house painted Sherwin Williams Iron Ore (dark gray).
Numbers should be a minimum of 5 inches tall, McKinley says. Match the numbers to the finish of your exterior lights, or go with black, which is generally a safe choice. “It just looks really sleek and clean,” she adds.
4. Add a welcome mat
Cost: $20-40
A doormat draws the eye to your entryway — and encourages people to scrape off their shoes before coming in.
Pop over to the store and pick up a fresh doormat. Stick with something simple, like a jute or something bristly dark brown.
“Don’t go crazy because neutral is best,” she adds. “A really patterned doormat is just gross.”
5. Paint the front door
Cost: $35
Painting the front door a pop of color is a trend that has been around a few years but still feels very current.
“It’s interesting, it catches people’s eye,” McKinley says. “It’s a fun thing to do, and it’s easy to change.”
A glossy black is timeless. Red is hot. Light baby blue can be pretty. The color you choose ultimately depends on the color and architecture of your home.
6. Lighting
Cost: Varies, light fixtures start at about $30
If you have a stunning tree or another special feature in your front yard, Kronen suggests using a solar-powered uplight to spotlight it.
If you have a rusted or dated porch light, swap it out. McKinley recommends checking Amazon for an inexpensive exterior sconce, in black metal and clear glass. For the ultrahandy, use YouTube tutorials for install, otherwise it’s safer to hire an electrician.
An even easier quick fix is zhushing up an old, rusted light fixture with an $8 can of black spray paint, Bressler says. You can also use it on rod iron railing.
The point is: Just do it.
“There’s so much intrinsic value to having spaces in your home that you love to be in,” Bressler says. “And you can do it yourself, and it’s under $100.”