When it comes to improving your home, looks matter. Boosting your curb appeal can make a major difference in terms of not only how much you like looking at your house, but it can significantly increase your property value, too. According to a 2020 study published in The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, homes with greater curb appeal typically sell for 7 percent more than their less-manicured counterparts—and for up to 14 percent more in areas with more housing inventory.
That doesn’t mean you have to shell out a fortune to make your exteriors pop, though. According to home design and styling expertAdele Beiny, there’s one easy way to boost your curb appeal in no time: upgrade your mailbox.
“A mailbox upgrade can give an instant boost to a home for under $100.00," Beiny says. "A brushed steel or even high-gloss white has a high-contrast visual appeal.”
Beiny recommends this gorgeous industrial-chic mailbox, which can make your home look more modern in no time.
CB2
However, that’s far from the only exterior upgrade that will make your curb appeal skyrocket. Read on to discover what real estate and design experts recommend when it comes to transforming your home.
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1 | A set of upgraded house numbers
CB2One of the easiest ways to upgrade your home’s exterior? Ditch those cookie-cutter house numbers and invest in a more decorative set.
“Having well-placed home address numbers in a contemporary font can transform the exterior of a home significantly,” says Beiny, who recommends this elegant set from CB2.
However, they’re more than just a pretty accessory: “High-contrast numbers not only give the house a more current look, but serve an important function for the pizza guy and first-time visitors,” Beiny explains.
2 | A set of large planters
CB2You don’t need a full-blown garden to improve your home’s exterior aesthetics with some greenery. Beiny says that the right planters positioned outside your home with some easy-to-care-for plants inside can make all the difference.
“High-quality plants and planters add warmth, beauty, and project the message that the house is cared for—and so are guests,” says Beiny, who recommends these stately options from CB2.
3 | A pair of upgraded sconces
AllModernIf you want to majorly transform your home’s exterior, all it takes is the right lighting. Beiny recommends these farmhouse-style sconces, which will not only shed some extra light on your exteriors, making it easier to navigate at night, but will also give your home some extra character.
“An illuminated walk-way says, ‘Welcome Home,’” says Beiny.
4 | A stylish bistro set
CB2Love entertaining at home? Even if you don’t have a ton of space, a bistro set can give you a place to enjoy an al fresco meal with friends and boost your curb appeal at the same time.
Beiny, who recommends this set from West Elm, says, “A little cafe table and chairs or a simple two-seater swing says: ‘Leave your burdens behind. Make yourself at home.’”
5 | A handsome welcome mat
Home DepotWhen it comes to welcome mats, less is more—after all, do you really want people wiping their boots on a work of art? Renovator and flipper Jeneva Aaron, founder of The HouseWire, recommends this inexpensive mat from Home Depot for anyone who wants to boost their curb appeal without breaking the bank. “
They add a quaint, rustic feeling to any home, but they’re generic enough not to feel too personal,” she explains. “I slap one of these in front of the door every time I sell a home, and it’s worked wonders so far!”
