How to Create Curb Appeal

Giveaways & More

1. Make an Entrance

If your front yard consists of a straight-shot sidewalk, create reasons to pause. Flank the front walk with striking urns or an arbor with a short length of fence on either side. Then, layer in interest with containers or a seasonal wreath and garland framing the front door. The key is to stick to one basic theme, rather than an E-I-E-I-O approach (ivy planter here, a gnome statue there, here an urn, there a wreath, everywhere something to look at).

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2. Invest in First Impressions

Few makeovers give you as much bang for your buck as painting the front door. Choose a high gloss paint that will accentuate your house while also adding a welcome jolt of color on dreary days. You'll want two or three coats for a finished look. Think robust reds (Vermilion 2914 by Sherwin Williams), crisp blues (Tidal Basin 5001-7C by Valspar) or rich eggplant (Wicked 6446 by C2). And while you're feeling creative, you might want to spring for some new door accessories, too. How about a brass Labrador retriever door knocker or other canine fav, such as a Pug Dog Knocker ($135, capecodweathervanecompany.com)?

Cape Cod Weathervane Company[+]

3. Pick a Number

Trade out those nondescript house numbers for some stylin' digits with personality. You can customize numbers in any size and font (customhousenumbers.com), choose from cool architectural styles (atlashomewares.com), select a ceramic tile address (housenumbertiles.com) or opt for French blue-and-white enamel numbers (willowandstone.co.uk). There are even lighted or solar versions (thinkgeek.com). If you're deft with a paintbrush, try painting house numbers on your door frame or adding them to a lamppost that you paint the same color as your front door.

CustomHouseNumbers.com[+]

4. Special Delivery

Go first class with an eye-catching mailbox. Wall-mounted options abound, from a modern envelope-shaped post box or a jaunty red Priority mailbox that holds bot mail and newspaper ($78, chiasso.com), to the copper Ecco 7 ($154, comforthouse.com) or the hip Knobloch design (budgetmailboxes.com). If you're looking for personality curbside, the smart Finnish-style Bobi mailbox (bobi.com) offers color, style and the capacity to hold a week's worth of mail.

Chiasso[+]

Window Box Wonders

They're beautiful, but don't settle for the norm. Jazz up boxes with fresh paint; decorative brackets; scalloped, crown-style or stacked molding; wooden appliques; ceramic tiles; or stencils. As for plantings, think outside the box. These unexpected combos will take you through an early frost:

Scented geraniums, petunias (especially Supertunias) coralbells and artemisia.
Purple fountain grass, fuchsias and marigolds.
Bright Lights, Swiss chard, ornamental leaf lettuce, curly parsley and violas.
English ivy, verbenas and Icicle pansies.

6. Create Perfect Harmony

OK, OK. We know it might sound a little obsessive, but don't underestimate the visual power of harmonious window treatments. If you've ever viewed a house with a hodgepodge of curtains (stripes in the living room, dinosaur patter in a bedroom and a set of blinds hanging askew in the kitchen), then you've noticed their effect on overall curb appeal. The solution can be as simple as making sure all the linings are of similar hues or using the same style of blinds or shutters at every window.

7. Add Sparkle

Sometimes it's the smallest, least expensive things that can get you noticed. Tuck a string of battery-powered lights into containers and window boxes for some festive fun. Or, create hanging orbs of English ivy and twinkling lights.

8. It's a Wrap

As temperatures drop, nonhardy rose will benefit from a little protection. Sure, you can use those foam cones that make your front yard look like a construction site. Or, you can select among 17 burlap colors (onlinefabricstore.net) to fashion a more attractive wrap in these few steps:

After the first hard frost, bring soil from other areas of the garden to mound about 8 inches around the base of the rose.
Place wood or metal stakes around the plant to form a triangle, circle or square—whatever floats your boat. Or, use a large tomato cage or obelisk.
Wrap three layers of burlap around the stakes. Secure with twine at the bottom and top, letting the edge of the burlap drape lightly atop the bush. Leave a small opening for sunshine and air. Fill with dried leaves for insulation.
If you like, dress up your wrap by loosely tying a burlap bow of a contrasting color around it.

9. Unleash the Artist

Structures and furnishings can punctuate your yard with color and architectural interest. Consider a simple pergola over your entry, new shutters at the windows, or a pyramid trellis or inviting bench near the door. Paint these pieces a cheerful French blue, sunny yellow or other blah-bursting color for added cool.

10. Lighten Up

Bring your home out of the shadows with sophisticated light fixtures. Install strategically placed accent lights to highlight architectural features or the dramatic shape of trees. Line walkways or driveways with path lights, but intersperse them with small shrubs or perennials to avoid the landing-strip effect. Take a look at the lighting by your front door, too. For less than $100, you can upgrade ceiling or wall-mount lights with a new copper or stainless-steel design, such as the charming Nantucket Outdoor Light ($89-155, shadesoflight.com).

Shades of Light[+]

Tell Us What You Think

1 - 1 of 1 Comments

moderndwell

September 20, 2011 2:29 AM

Here's another source to give you house more curb appeal.
Modern house numbers in recycled aluminum from
www.moderndwellnumbers.com

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