8 Things You Can Do This Weekend to Improve Your Curb Appeal

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We’ve come up with 8 things you can do this weekend to improve your curb appeal. Some home exterior changes require a dumpster in the driveway and serious contractor bills… or several trips to the hardware store to really confirm you have no idea what’s coming! That said, other changes are simple enough that even a novice homeowner can accomplish them. Those are the changes we’re talking about in this post!

If you’re looking for a full home exterior makeover, our brick&batten team would love to partner with you on a virtual exterior design. You’ll get a deliverable that gives you the keys to make our suggested small changes, like those in this article, or to hire out contractors for bigger updates. Get started by answering our brief questionnaire.

#1 // Change Your Lighting

Before and after of an under construction home rendered with beautiful, functional exterior lighting over the back deck and patio
Before and after of a ranch home with new exterior lighting next to the garage door, on the front porch, and by the front door
A rendering demonstrating the appropriate size for lights next to a front door, which should be 1/3 to 1/4 the height of the doorway
A lighting family by Bevolo
Before and after of a home highlighting a light family used next to the front door and by the garage door

On nine out of ten houses we design, the original lighting is incorrect. Not only is the style wrong, but almost every time, the size is too small. Lights by your front door should be ⅓ to ¼ the size of your door and frame. That said, if your lighting is too small, change it out. If it’s dirty with cobwebs, clean the glass. And if the style doesn’t suit you or your home, don’t settle. This is an easy fix that will make a difference. Learn more about lighting style here.

#2 // Add Garage Hardware

Before and after of a home with garage hardware added
Before and after of a blueprint for a home rendered with a beautiful garage door
Before and after of a home painted in Simply White with a beautiful new carriage-style garage door
Garages are important for curb appeal! Some take up huge real estate on the front of your home. When you have a front-loading garage, you’ve got two choices: Make them go away by painting them the same color as the house, or make them beautiful! A simple way to create a beautiful garage is through adding garage hardware or painting the front surface. A handle, a ring, hinge, or windows will take a plain garage and add interest.

#3 // Paint Your Front Door — Or Swap It Out

Before and after of a home with a new modern front door

Before and after of a home with a new green front door

Before and after of a home with a new blue double front door

Before and after of a home with a new blue front door with a large glass window panel and big sidelight window

Before and after of a home with a new green-gray front door

A front door done correctly returns over 100% on your investment. It’s a no-brainer! You don’t have to replace your door; however, a fresh coat of paint or finding a new door you love is a weekend project worth investing your time. Many brick&batten clients are loving glass iron doors and Dutch doors. If you’re choosing to paint your front door in an accent color, we recommend any shade of peacock or deep blue as well as green. These tones are on-trend and will catch the attention of anyone driving by!

#4 // Update Your Planters

Before and after of a home with new modern black planters

Before and after of a home with new planters along the stairs and a few simple container planters

Rendering of a home with beautiful Corten steel planters lining the front gate

Urns are out and terra cotta or glazed pottery is in. Try finding a simple clay pot and place it by the front door, or opt for a taller modern black. Without even getting your hands dirty, you can simply take the pot of your favorite plant and place it right inside. It takes 5 minutes, and the skill level is easy.

#5 // Find a New Welcome Mat

World Market arrow door mat

Before and after of a home with a new brick&batten monogrammed door mat

Your poor welcome mat gets a daily beating. It’s outside and subject to all types of weather. It gets stepped on, wiped across, and abused everyday; therefore, it’s time to find a welcome mat that amps up your curb appeal and speaks to your style. We’re leaving the Disney mat in Orlando and finding an age appropriate classy mat to welcome guests. Check out the brick&batten monogrammed mat or this World Market arrow doormat to make a real statement!

#6 // Shutters? A Do or a Don’t.

Before and after home with corrected shutters in a functional size
Before and after of a traditional brick home with the addition of shutters
Before and after of a home with shutters corrected in size, removed on the main level, and added to some rear exterior windows
Before and after of a home with shutters added

At brick&batten we believe in architecturally correct shutters. They should close over the window they protect, or at least appear to close over the window. Therefore, if your shutters are way too small, get rid of them! There’s no harm in testing the look without shutters. If you can’t do it right, don’t do it at all. Sometimes less is more. On the other hand, adding shutters can also create interest on large surface areas that are otherwise feeling empty. The takeaway: be intentional with your shutter design.

#7 // Landscape

Before and after of a home with updated landscaping
Before and after of a home with landscaping cleaned up, window boxes, and new horseshoe-style landscaping
Before and after of a home with updated landscaping

Okay… we get it. It stinks to spend hours on your lawn every weekend to create the perfect look. However, it’s time to get a handle on the bushes growing over your walkway and blocking your windows. Trim the bushes and spray the weeds. You will be amazed at the difference. If you’re looking for a real game changer, careful planning and thought can turn your yard into a real stunner. Ready to go for it? Check out these landscaping ideas that will enhance your curb appeal.

#8 // Window Grilles

Before and after of a home with updated window grilles -- simplified and modernized
Before and after of a home with new window grilles
Before and after of a home with simplified window grilles in black

Every single day we have people write and ask how to update their windows. Simple fix: If possible, pop out those busy window grilles or find a window grille that best complements your home’s style. You may replace the grille with something more simple or just skip it all together. That’s a definite update without the big expense of replacing your windows.

Now That Your Weekend Is Booked…

Overall, everyone is on the hunt for a beautiful home with perfect curb appeal. There are simple things you can do to bring life back to your home’s exterior. From painting your front door to finding a new planter, we want you to fall in love with your house again. Simple changes can make a big impact. 

If you’re looking for a partner in home exterior design, our brick&batten team would love to help you with the bigger projects, too. After all, curb appeal doesn’t happen by accident. Get started today.

Author

Cassie co-founded brick&batten in 2017 with her sister, Alli, but her love of home design was born years earlier. Cassie’s passion for design can be traced back to her childhood, when she’d accompany her parents on road trips through small towns in search of inspiration for properties they would buy, fix up, and sell. Prior to launching brick&batten, Cassie worked as a fourth grade teacher, but her love of design, architecture, home renovation, and open houses inspired her to pursue a new career. When writing for brick&batten, Cassie aims to empower homeowners to make the best informed decisions for their property. She knows from experience how challenging home renovation can be, and when she writes, she puts herself in the shoes of every homeowner with similar frustrations. Cassie currently lives in Florida with her four children, an old dog, and her loving husband. When she’s not working, Cassie is most likely checking out a nearby open house or traveling to learn about the latest house trends.