Get great curb appeal - 5 steps to follow

The exterior of your home is a window into your personality as the outside of your house can say a lot about you.  This is often overlooked with the inside taking priority in the decorating stakes, however don’t forget this important area as it really sets the scene for your home and for who you are.  This of course is particularly important if you are planning to sell your home as a buyer will often make up their mind in the first minute or so of the viewing.  But really why shouldn’t the entrance to your home always look smart and welcoming?  If you agree with me and would like to get some great curb appeal then I have a few tips to follow:

1) Great curb appeal with the right front gate

Not everyone has one due to the layout of their garden, but a front gate is a terrific starting point.

I love garden gates as they offer protection, privacy and the beauty with them is that you always want to see past one so you have captured people’s interest right from the beginning.  I don’t have a garden gate but would love one so spend my time collecting images!

If you do have a gate, ensure that you either have an obvious door bell or there is an easy way to open it as there is nothing worse than arriving at someone’s house and not knowing how to enter – it is bewildering and sets the wrong tone for the visit straight away.

2) The Garden Path

Next on my list is the garden path.  I visit a lot of houses with my work and believe it or not, it is often not obvious how to get to the front door and I sometimes end up walking across a damp patch of grass.

So make visitors welcome with a path direct to the front door which is attractive and tidy.  Garden paths work the best if they are wide enough for two people to walk side by side, so if you have the room and are landscaping from scratch then factor this in, but don’t worry too much if the path is narrower.

3) Making an entrance with the right front door

Now the front door.  I just love front doors.  They come in so many different guises and can also be painted so many different colours, that this is really a great opportunity to add your personality to your house.

I have posted another article on the blog about colourful front doors and what they say about you which you should read if you, like me, are a fiend for colour and front doors.  Whether your door is made from glass, timber or painted, ensure that the finish is clean and fresh – this really is an easy weekend job to freshen up the look of your house.

Related: Colourful front doors - what they say about you

4) Which door handle gives the best curb appeal?

Front door hardware is the next item to consider.  If you have a stunning contemporary wide pivot door then ensure that you have door hardware that is large enough to suit the door.  Size and scale in design is so important so the size of your pull handle should be in proportion to the size of the door.

If however you have a more traditional front door, then your door furniture should suit this style.  Ensure that it is kept clean and polished for a welcoming entrance.

5) Accessories - the finishing touch for great curb appeal

Finally, don’t forget the accessories.  You absolutely must have a good quality doormat and if you have space then some greenery or cheery flowers planted in pots at the front door make a great statement.  Together with welcoming lights that suit the style of your house, these finishing touches make all the difference.

Once you have the front door selected, you need to consider what you will paint on the inside of it - will you keep the same colour or an alternative?  Read my article about what to paint on the inside of your front door to find out more.