Homeowner Advice

General tips and advice for homeowners covering maintenance, seasonal tips and everyday property care.

5 Ways To Add Kerb Appeal

24th August 2021

Whether you are thinking of selling your property or you just want to make your home look more welcoming, kerb appeal is an all-important factor that can help improve the look (and value!) of your home.

The front of your house is the first thing that people (including you) see when they approach, so it’s important that it makes a good first impression. So, if you’re looking to spruce up your home’s exterior, read on to find out our 5 tips for improving your home’s kerb appeal.

Tips for adding kerb appeal to your home

1. Make an Entrance – Revamp your home’s front door, windows and porch area

2. Tidy Up – Clear any unsightly rubbish and clean any paving stones

3. Get Potting – Add plants and greenery

4. Maintain Gutters and Drains – Keep gutters clean to stop excess water and damage

5. Primp Your Boundaries – Keep walls free from weeds and chipping paint

1. Make an Entrance

The entrance to your home, especially your front door, is essential for improving kerb appeal. Flaking paint, missing house numbers or stubborn locks can give the impression that your home is unkempt and neglected.

Upgrading your door really is as simple as adding a fresh coat of paint or even experimenting with a new door colour. Other, smaller adjustments such as replacing old locks, polishing handles and door knockers will have a big impact on the exterior of your home, too.

If your front door is beyond help, it could be time to invest in a new one. TrustATrader is home to a plethora of trusted local door installers that will be able to find you the perfect front door that suits your needs and is in keeping the look of your home.

As well as doors, don’t forget to spruce up tour your porch windows or any other front windows. “Having looked at moving home recently I’d definitely say to make sure all your windowsills are painted and not chipped,” says Katie, blogger at Mummy’s Diary. “As well as this, flowers in the windows or on the windowsills outside can make a big difference. Don’t forget to make sure your curtains or nets are clean!”

2. Tidy Up

That box of recycling, bag of garden clippings, or rusty old bike sitting outside your home may just be there until you can find the time to dispose of it, but when it comes to the look and feel of your home, it doesn’t give a good impression. Not only will prospective buyers be put off, it doesn’t make your home feel very inviting for friends and family.

If you have a driveway, patio, or paving stones, it’s also worth spending some time cleaning these up, and if possible, pressure washing them to get rid of any unsightly build up and get it looking as clean and pristine as the day it was laid.

“Giving your home kerb appeal doesn't need to cost much, it just requires a bit of elbow grease,” says blogger Jo from Tea & Cake for the Soul. “Make sure your path is clean and clear with no broken slabs, mow the lawn, and give any fencing a fresh coat of fence paint. A stone ornament or potted plant by your front door gives a welcoming feel.”

3. Get Potting

As mentioned above, potted plants, hanging baskets and window boxes are brilliant, cheap and low maintenance ways of making the front of your home look bright, welcoming and well-tended. You’ll also want to take some time to get rid of any unsightly weeds and cut back any overgrown bushes.

Abby from Clooms also suggests adding some greenery to the outside of your home. “Adding plants to your patio or garden area can increase the value of your home as well as make it stand out from the rest of the homes on your street.

“What you decide to plant in your pots is up to you, but if you have a brown thumb, I recommend getting plants that need less care. Succulents are a great plant for beginners as they don’t need a lot of sun and watering.

“Also, if you choose potted plants, make sure to use different containers, varying shapes and sizes. This will help them look more organized and help make your home look more detailed and kept.”

If you don’t have much time for gardening, take a look at How To Create A Low-Maintenance Front Garden for tips and ideas. If you’re looking for professional garden design advice and help, consult a local gardener.

4. Maintain Gutters and Drains

Blocked gutters aren’t just unsightly, if they go unrepaired, they could cause structural damage. Not to mention the fact that, during a downpour, you will have to fight a waterfall to get into your house! Make sure you clear your guttering regularly, particularly during the autumn. If you don’t feel confident, call a local guttering specialist.

5. Primp Your Boundaries

Whether you live in a mansion or a maisonette, you can make the most of your boundaries. Make sure walls are weed-free and painted, if necessary, to complement your door and windows. Treat and replace old or rotten fence panels and replace broken gates.

Adding kerb appeal to your home doesn’t have to cost you huge amounts of time and money. Simple things that take just a few moments can give your home a new lease of life and make it more welcoming and attractive to guests and potential buyers.

If you are struggling to find the time and motivation to do all those little jobs, take the stress out of your to-do list by finding a reliable, reviewed handyman near you.

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What home repairs should I never attempt myself?

Gas work - full stop. Any work on gas appliances must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer by law. Structural changes like removing walls, altering roof timbers, or touching anything load-bearing need professional assessment and often Building Regulations sign-off. Electrical work involving the consumer unit or new circuits must meet Part P. And if your property was built before 2000, be aware asbestos may be present - it can only be handled by a licensed specialist.
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Improvements that add usable space or modernise the rooms buyers scrutinise most tend to deliver the strongest returns. Loft conversions consistently top the list - adding a bedroom and bathroom can add more value than the work costs in many areas. Kitchen and bathroom updates are next. Open-plan ground-floor extensions connecting to a kitchen-diner have become one of the most sought-after layouts in UK family homes. And energy improvements - insulation, a new boiler, solar panels - are increasingly influencing buyer decisions as running costs become a bigger part of the conversation.
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A survey is an independent assessment of a property's condition carried out by a qualified surveyor - separate from the mortgage valuation, which only tells the lender what the property is worth, not what's wrong with it. A HomeBuyer Report flags visible defects and anything that needs further investigation. A Full Building Survey goes deeper and is worth the extra cost on older, larger, or unusual properties. Given that a house is likely the biggest purchase you'll ever make, skipping the survey to save a few hundred pounds is a false economy - a single missed issue can cost far more to put right.
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