Boost Your Home’s Kerb Appeal with Simple Affordable Upgrades
They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but the outside of a property can make a lasting impression on visitors and potential buyers, so it’s important to get its appearance right. Whether you’re welcoming guests, preparing to sell, or simply want to feel a little extra pride when you pull into the driveway, giving your home’s exterior a refresh doesn’t have to mean a full-scale renovation. In fact, some of the simplest updates are quick, affordable and can boost the perceived value significantly – think freshly painted front doors, a few well-placed plants, and lighting that makes your home glow, even on the gloomiest evenings. Here, we’ve rounded up the best ways to help you enhance kerb appeal, with minimal fuss and maximum impact.
Pep up the exterior A fresh lick of paint can make a world of difference anywhere in the home, but if the outside of your property is looking tired, then this can be a cost-effective way to significantly boost its perceived value by up to 7%. You’ll need to use a quality masonry paint, specifically formulated for exterior use. And, when it comes to choosing a colour, as a rule of thumb, stick to neutral tones. ‘It’s worth considering whether your shade is common in your area,’ advises Cathryn Sanders, head of creative at Earthborn. ‘It’s also helpful to take your property’s orientation into account. North-facing homes may benefit from warmer tones to counter cooler light, while south-facing can handle cooler shades without losing vibrancy,’ she adds.
Landscape the garden Front gardens might be small, but they act as a welcoming entrance to your home. ‘While buyers won’t expect landscaping worthy of a show home, they will notice if the grass is overgrown, or the path’s covered in moss,’ says Tim Simmons, property expert at Regency Living. ‘This immediately signals that, if they buy the house, they will have to spend extra time and money to rectify the problems, making them a point of negotiation on the price.’
Spending a little time and budget on a front garden refresh could add 8-12% value to your home, but it doesn’t have to be costly. ‘Just tidying up, cutting the lawn, shaping hedges, or jet-washing the drive can make a difference,’ explains Tim. ‘You don’t need to go overboard with planting either – just a couple of potted shrubs near the door or a smart border is often enough. What really matters is that the space looks neat, easy to care for, and like it hasn’t been forgotten. This alone can nudge up a home’s perceived value by thousands.’
Refresh your front door As the first thing your visitors see when they come to your home, a front door is an obvious feature to revamp if you’re hoping to enhance kerb appeal. ‘Whether that means a fresh coat of paint, upgrading the hardware or replacing the door entirely, it’s one of the quickest and easiest ways to improve the look of a property,’ says Robin Edwards, property buying agent at Curetons. ‘Updating your front door instantly modernises the facade, creates a great first impression and signals to buyers that the property is well-maintained and cared for,’ he adds.
It’s also a relatively straightforward and affordable DIY project: painting your door will cost less than £200 on average. Replacements are more costly, around £500 to £1,200 including installation, depending on the style and materials used. ‘A stylish and good-quality front door can add around 3-5% to a home’s value, especially when the colour and design complement the architecture of the property and the rest of the exterior,’ Robin suggests.
Improve your windows Decent double- or even triple-glazed windows are a must for most homes today. Not only can they improve energy efficiency, but they also provide added security and boost kerb appeal. They can, however, cost thousands, with prices starting from around £500 per window. When investing in new windows, consider your home’s age and architectural style to ensure your choice is sympathetic.
‘Aluminium frames can contribute to a 3-7% uplift in perceived value, particularly in homes with modern layouts or recent renovations,’ suggests Andrew Boast, property expert at SAM Conveyancing. ‘However, these frames work best in contemporary or architecturally “clean” properties. Introducing aluminium frames in older or more traditional homes can sometimes look out of place.’