They tell you to never judge a book by its cover, but when it comes to houses, people inevitably make snap judgements about what they see on the outside. And the strange thing is, homeowners often spend a great deal of time and attention making the interior as good as it can be, but forget about the outside. If you make your home’s exterior look good, it will always be a welcoming environment to come back to, as well as making a great first impression for any guests that come to visit.
Paint the Front Door
This is probably the simplest thing you can do, but it’s amazing the number of people who overlook painting the front door. Why not try a strong, bright colour to really grab people’s attention from the moment that they set eyes on your house? Start by sanding off any rough edges and then a couple of coats of paint should do the trick. Add the finishing touches by putting up a nice shiny house number or name if you would prefer.
Get the Lighting Right
You can place a light on either side of the door to add a sense of symmetry. Consider some lanterns which will give your house a timeless feel. Lighting generally should be used to highlight the most positive features of your home. Remember, good garden lighting is generally unseen. If you have a front garden, don’t make the lighting too dominant – and you could even try making it unseen if possible. If you have any features that you are especially proud of, these are the ones that you should be aiming to illuminate where possible.
Windows
Windows that are tired and dirty don’t give off a great impression, so make sure yours are cleaned on a regular basis. If you’re looking at putting in new window frames, make sure they match the brickwork of your home. Also, keep the window panes themselves looking nice and shiny. Cleaning them regularly is a good starting point. Though it may be traditional to paint them white, you don’t have to follow the crowd. However, make sure that the colour you do go for works with the brick or stonework.
Roofing
Many people see their roof as being purely functional, but there are so many different styles that you can experiment with. Unlike other simpler jobs, it is worth calling in the professionals so contacting a roofing company will be your best bet. When you are looking at a house, your eye is often drawn naturally up to the roof so getting this right will really make all the difference. Even if you are happy with what you have currently, it is always worth looking into roof washing to add that extra sense of excellence.
Add Some Greenery
Some potted plants next to your front door can really add a beautiful natural feel to your porch. You could put up some hanging baskets with colourful flowers to add some light and fragrance to the area. A lot of people put up some draping ivy that extends around the house. You don’t need to have a huge garden to add some greenery to your house front. All it takes is some potted plants, hanging baskets and creepers to give your home a touch of life. If you want to go down a more complicated path, you could try some landscaped beds with colourful planting. Don’t forget to install 6ft fence panels from G&G Fencing & Landscape Supplies to retain some privacy.
Install an Impressive Entrance Gate
If you have room for it, it could be a nice idea to have an entrance gate that keeps in style with your house. Wrought-iron electric gates tend to look good with new-build houses, while a white-painted gate is best suited to an older and more classic-looking home.
Spruce Up the Facade
Ugly brickwork can be repainted, repointed, or rendered to make it look fresh once again. Keep your paint colours simple and classic (unlike the front door). Try to keep it in line with the period of your home as well as the other houses on the street.
Smooth the Path to the Entrance
To make the house appear welcoming, you can invite people to the front door with a clear path or driveway. Make sure that the driveway paving is nice and smooth as well as being stylish and attractive. Essentially, you want to keep the area as free of clutter as possible.
Invest a Little More in Quality Furniture
Good quality furniture tends to last longer and look better at the front of your home. However, make sure that you are choosing items that fit in with the overall look and style of your property. So, if you have a modern house, a grand antique door knocker is simply going to look out of place which is not the effect you will be aiming for.