Festival days are here and most people are sprucing up their homes and beautifying it to celebrate. It is a great time to boost curb appeal. While some people get into deep spring cleaning, others give their home a full makeover-like my neighbors are doing right now. The people who live on the floor above are going the whole hog and replacing their floor tiles across the house, renovating the plumbing, kitchen cabinets, some doors and of course, painting the entire house. The ones opposite are focusing on their kitchen, converting it into a modern modular marvel.
Often, homeowners get into major makeovers only when they're planning to sell their home, since it will fetch them a higher price. But it is also possible to update one's home and make it attractive so that when you welcome visitors, it feels really good. Who doesn't like happy change? And bonus-there are many things you can do on a budget.
We have been quite busy, spending a big chunk of our time at the hospital, and well, I too want to give my home that instant makeover.
Some of my favorite ways to boost curb appeal are:1. Rangoli
Easiest thing ever! We have the tradition of making this design in front of our front door every morning. Of course, with lifestyle changes, we do the minimal stuff. However-I have good news. There are gorgeous readymade designs that you can simply paste to the floor. Waterproof, cheerful and done in under 10 minutes. Or enjoy the manual act of doing the design. I like to do that occasionally. The activity-and the compliments-totally therapeutic.
2. Flooring upgrade
Oh, If you are thinking workers in the house, moving everything and the ensuing mess-no! We bought this sturdy sheet of vinyl flooring and simply rolled it out on our living room floor. Did not glue it on as suggested. Now we have the look of a wooden-floor, which I always wanted, and cleaning is easy-simply wipe it down. Less stress when kids visit, too. Suitable for porches as well as floors inside the house.
Sure you can just add colorful area rugs-that works too!
3. Front door (and porch, if you have one!)
That entrance is a focal point when it comes to curb appeal. Here are some options:
- Scrub it, clean it, polish it.
- Clean and polish all fixtures.
- Replace the name plate or add the door number in a creative way.
- Add a stylish or ethnic door knocker
- Add a mailbox
- Add a new welcome mat
- Enjoy DIY? Add a layer of concrete to the front yard and draw fake tiles.
- Add a couple of chairs with bright cushions to your porch
4. Let there be light
Adding exterior light can dramatically affect the way your property looks at night. The right lighting adds that special something and will make it look unique and appealing-besides an element of safety. If you have a pathway, add low voltage lighting. Want to be eco-friendly? How about earthen/terracotta lamps or solar fixtures?
5. Say it with flowers
Another cool idea for the front door is to add layers of plants. If you are strapped for space, how about a vertical garden/container garden/creepers? If you have a garden, improve your curb appeal: tidy your front garden/yard. Remove all the extras items on display. Go for minimal. Mow or trim that lawn, and plant a tree, and perhaps even add some flower boxes to your windows if you can. The clean look, with the cheerful splash of color will instantly give your home a facelift! Have trees? Create a flower bed around it.
6. Clad It
This one requires more effort, depending on how you choose to go about it. Cladding is an almost instant upgrade and can reduce the time and money spent on maintenance. With the range of options available for cladding for houses, not only does it make your home look as good as new, but also offers ways to personalize it to stamp your own character.
A couple of years back, one of our neighbors added a layer of beautiful tiles to the front wall and we could hardly recognize their house! It looks fabulous. These days, UPVC is a great option as there is minimum maintenance and it lasts for years. I also remember how my aunt added terracotta tiles to the sunshades on her windows and the garage roof-the sandstone colored exterior with the red tiles look absolutely gorgeous.
7. Add a Driveway
No driveway? How about adding one? If you don't already have a driveway then adding one can dramatically increase the curb appeal of your home. It does this on two different levels:
- Presents a smart looking home. For homebuyers, this is attractive as it is space to park one's vehicle.
- It feels good; there is nothing like the feeling of pulling into your own drive at the end of a hard day at work and simply enjoying the moment.
8. Curtains!
Let me not forget curtains-depending on the weather, you can brighten those windows/doorways with pretty curtains. Mix and match to get the exact look you want.
This is not an exhaustive list-but a nice starting point, don't you think? And I say, start with repairs if any! Also, the trick is to view your home as though you are seeing it for the first time.
I'd love to hear your ideas! Happy Diwali!
Writer, editor, blogger, social media enthusiast. Love DIY, Coffee, Music, Reading, Photography, Family, Friends and Life. Mantra: Happiness is a DIY Project. In my free time I play with my dust bunnies and show my diabetes who's boss. Tweet as @vidyasury
