Whether you are in your forever home or plan on selling in the next few years, completing some exterior home improvement projects can be a good idea to improve your property value and curb appeal.
When you pull into your driveway,
- Does anything you look at make you cringe?
- Does anything about your home exterior bore you?
Then, it is definitely time for you to complete some exterior home improvement projects, even if you do not plan to sell your home.
21 Home Exterior Improvement Ideas
Why not make your home something that stands out and makes you happy to look at when you pull into your driveway? If you are looking for some DIY home improvement project ideas for your exterior, we have compiled this list of projects to help you get started.
1. Add Crown Molding
To add some pizzazz to your home exterior, one great project idea is to add some crown molding around the front door to give your home an attractive and classic-looking entry. Make sure you select some crown molding that complements the architectural style of your home so it does not clash with the rest of your home exterior.
2. Enlarge Your Entryway
Many homes do not have a very big entryway; they just have a small stoop, and that is it. If you have the space, why not make your entryway a little bigger and give guests more space while they wait at your door? You can build a covered porch so your guests can be more comfortable while waiting for you to get the door.
For a simpler project to improve and expand your entryway, you can try just widening your front steps and putting up an awning.
3. Transform Your Front Door
The front door of your home can stand out and make an impression. It is also one of the quickest, easiest, and most affordable home exterior project ideas that you can complete.
If you want to take it one step further, you can use the same paint on your trim, shutters, and even porch rails, tying in all of these small elements of your exterior into a single, beautiful design.
How old is your front door? Depending on how old your front is, it might be a good idea to replace the door before you decide to paint it something bold and beautiful.
Get one that looks sturdy and secure, especially if you plan to sell; a potential buyer will be more interested in a home with a door that looks like it will keep them safe and secure.
4. Upgrade the Mailbox
You visit your mailbox every day, but it is a feature that is often ignored when working on some exterior home improvement project ideas. Get a new mailbox and make it a pretty one. Also, replace your mailbox post and consider planting some flowers around it.
Your mailbox is one of the first things someone will see when they come to your home since it has your house number painted on it, so it is truly one of the first impressions that someone will have of your home.
While this is a good home improvement project idea, no matter if you are selling or not, this is definitely a project idea to execute if you are going to be putting your house on the market.
5. Pressure Wash the House and Driveway
Everything can look better after it has been given a bath. Pressure washers are inexpensive to rent, and you can usually clean an entire home exterior and driveway in a single day. The house and driveway will be brighter, and it can make a big difference in the overall appearance of your exterior.
6. Update Your Landscaping
If you want to add some extra color to your landscaping, try adding some bushes or new flowers to your landscaping. These can give you some new depth and color and breathe new life into your landscaping. Just make sure you do not do anything that will cover up the light sources in your yard or the windows.
7. Remove the Front Lawn
Lawns are a drain on water resources, and if you live in an area that is experiencing a drought. Instead of having a grass lawn, why not consider using some native plants that do not require the amount of watering that grass does?
You can try moss, which does not require mowing or watering. However, moss loves shade, so if your home has mostly sun instead of shade, this might not work.
Another great option, which does not require shade, is clover. You will not have to water or mow it; it is inexpensive and spreads quickly, so it can cover a large area quickly.
Artificial turf is another option for your home exterior since it will not require any maintenance at all. You can also trade out your lawn for wood chips or gravel and plant some native flowers or bushes.
8. Reseal the Driveway
The driveway can take a serious beating, so if yours is starting to look bad, it is time to reseal it. This may not be one of the most fun home improvement project ideas out there, but it is an important one, especially if you are fixing up your home to sell it.
9. Construct a Walkway
Having a clear and well-constructed walkway to your front door is an important security feature, and it can boost your curb appeal. You can update your existing walkway with new stones to replace old ones or by building a new one entirely. When you finish constructing the walkway, add some lights along the way to keep the path well-lit.
10. Install Faux Stone or Brick
There is something timeless and beautiful about having stone or brick on a home’s exterior. However, natural stone and brick are expensive to install and are not DIY-friendly.
Thankfully, faux stone and brick are excellent siding solutions that can improve a home’s property value. It can cover the entire siding of a house, the foundation, or even wrap around the porch pillars.
With faux stone, you can come up with endless interior and exterior home improvement project ideas to transform your home. It can also add some depth and texture to your home, which is visually appealing.
11. Add a Bench to the Porch
If there is space on your front porch, near the front door, a bench can be a welcome addition to it. It is a great place for you to set your bags when digging out your keys. It also gives guests a seat to wait if you are not home and a place to sit down and take muddy shoes off before going inside.
There are plenty of bench designs and colors out there, and they cover a wide range of price points so you can find the right one for your home.
12. Transform Your Exterior Chimney
If your home has an exterior chimney, a fun DIY project can be to transform that chimney. You can add a chimney cap to it, which will draw the eye to the chimney and dress up your roof. Faux stone is also a great way to give your chimney a new look since it can be installed right on top of the existing chimney surround.
13. Replace the Shutters
The shutters on many homes are generic looking, and they are not actually functional and are unattractive. However, you can easily find new shutters for your home that are aesthetically pleasing and functional.
Take the time to look for shutter designs that look good with your home exterior, and you can paint them to match your trim or make them a different bold color that will stand out.
14. Replace the Garage Door
How old is your garage door? If your answer is that it came with the house, it is definitely time for you to replace it. The garage door is usually one of the most noticeable parts of a home exterior, so having one that looks great and secure is important to your curb appeal.
You can paint the garage door a bold color to draw the eye and make it stand out. A new garage door that looks secure can be a big selling point, too, if you plan to sell since many homebuyers would prefer a home that looks like it is safe and secure before they move in.
15. Update Your House Numbers
Your house numbers probably have not been updated since you bought your house. However, you can find something charming and unique that shows off your personal sense of style.
16. Build a Deck
If you have a backyard and love entertaining in it, building a deck can be an excellent home improvement project. You will have a stable space to set up your grill and seating, and you can even build an awning over it to ensure you stay dry in the rain or have shade on a warm, sunny day.
17. Add a Fence
Fences are an important addition to a property. If you have kids or pets, they are great at keeping them safe and in the yard, and it can boost your curb appeal quickly. Many people these days are looking for homes with a fenced yard, so it can be a big selling point if you are selling your home.
Try to go for a fence that is at least six feet tall for privacy and to keep dogs inside, though some breeds can jump over a six-foot fence if they really want to. But this fence height can help you sell.
There are many different styles of fences you can get, whether you just get a chain fence and add some slats to it for some privacy. A wooden or vinyl fence is also a great choice, and they can be low maintenance. For an extra special touch, you can even install faux stone on the fence to make it look more striking.
18. Paint Your Exterior
A fresh coat of paint can make your home exterior look fresh and clean. Before you paint, make sure you inspect your home exterior to look for any rotting wood or damage from pests. You want to get those repairs done before adding paint.
Right now, it is trendy to paint your trim a bold, accent color that stands out. You want something that will complement your current home exterior but still is bold and stands out. Some common choices for this trend are turquoise, red, and royal blue. You can also paint your front door the same color as the trim to coordinate the entire thing.
19. Illuminate the Exterior
Lighting can improve the ambiance of a home exterior, and it is an important security feature. If you do not want to keep a light on all the time, you can get motion-activated lights; that way, the exterior will be well-lit if anyone approaches the house. You can also set up little solar lights along the walkway to your home.
In your backyard, you can add some decorative lighting to add something interesting to draw the eye. You can string up little fairy lights that turn on when the sun goes down, some cute lanterns, or even some pole lights. It can be fun choosing the best lighting for your backyard.
20. Update the Roof
The roof is an important part of your home, and if it is getting old, it would be a good idea to update the shingles. You can get a new style of shingles that are designed to help reflect UV rays, which can help improve your heating and cooling costs.
If you are selling your house, having a brand new roof can be a big selling point. Take your time researching different roofing materials before you start updating your roof to ensure you get the right materials for your home.
21. Add Rustic Wooden Brackets
Adding some exterior wooden brackets to your home can be a decorative thing or something functional. If your home already has a rustic charm to it, installing some wooden brackets can enhance that charm. This is an easy home improvement project idea that you can do affordably.
Conclusion
Exterior home improvement projects are a great way to update the look of your home and increase its value. Some popular ideas include painting or staining the exterior, installing new windows or doors, replacing siding, adding outdoor lighting fixtures, building a deck or patio area with furniture for entertaining guests outdoors.
You can also add landscaping elements such as trees and shrubs to give your property an added touch of beauty. With careful planning and research you can find cost-effective ways to improve your home’s exterior that will last for years to come!
