The Small Things Add Largely to Curb Appeal

Walking trough the neighborhood this Spring, I notice the small things; perfectly placed planter urns flanking a front door, a bundle of tulips surrounding a budding cherry blossom tree, a softly bubbling water feature, a brightly painted front door beckoning me to come inside, a promising farmers garden just beginning to sprout, or even a quaint bench with well styled pillows grab my attention! Water Valley truly is a charming neighborhood with its unique blend of home styles. Every homes exterior has the potential to be great, with a little effort your home can have that “WOW” factor and show some personal style.

Curb appeal is important to the character of your home, it is what makes each house unique and special in it's own way. If you are selling your home it is essential, some studies suggest potential home buyers can decide as early as first 20 seconds of laying eyes on a home from the curb if they are going to buy it. There are many ways you can add curb appeal if you feel you may be lacking in this department. First of all, make sure your entrance is clearly viewable from the street, don't let shrubs,
grasses and trees get the best of you. Keep landscaping trimmed each season to prevent things from getting out of control and roll up hoses. Consider adding a seating area if you have extra space near your front door. Maybe some brightly colored pots you can change out seasonally. Another great curb appeal update is changing out your house numbers and light fixtures. For example, the small brass and glass fixtures and house numbers of the 90's are long pasted their glory days, todays trends are large lantern style fixtures that make a statement and don't get lost in the big picture. Recently, I even found a unique way to display our house number on a embroidered pillow from Ballard Designs and placed it on a inviting little bench viewable from the street.

Adding curb appeal with front door treatments have come along way also. You don't have to stick with that boring old wreath, you can use plaques with a friendly greeting or add your family's last initial to your door. One of our neighbors has gotten crafty and made large sign with their last name and place it next to the front entrance. A flat backed basket with greenery is always nice instead of a wreath, and a even small table decorated as your would an interior side table with a exterior lamp and other accessories can be an unexpected flourish to add curb appeal and make your home stand out!

What you do on the outside of your home can offer a small glimpse to what people can expect on the inside so have fun with it, be creative! So the next time you take a stroll through the neighborhood hopefully you too can appreciate our wonderful community and keep your eye out for those special touches that make some homes “just feel right”. You might find yourself coming up with some simple ideas of your own to add to your homes appearance so others can throughly appreciate your homes curb appeal!