fbpx

Curb Appeal Makeover: Simple Ways to Enhance Your Home’s Exterior

Ensuring that your home looks as inviting as possible is crucial when it comes to increasing the value, but also in terms of enjoying coming home after a long day. Ensuring that the curb appeal is pleasing and inviting goes a long way in making your home feel like your own personal sanctuary.

There are many ways to achieve a more pleasing exterior, and many homeowners can get lost in the possibilities. Today, we will explore some of the most effective but simple ways to enhance the overall look of your home and dramatically increase its curb appeal. Enjoy!

Painting the Exterior of Your Home

While it might not be the most exciting task, painting your home in a fitting color scheme that complements your surroundings can improve the first impression. You should consider not only your own home but also, to some extent, the overall look of the neighborhood in order to find the best possible color.

If in doubt, we recommend going for a more neutral color, as this will not be as easily outdated when trends change. It will also appeal to a larger customer base if you are planning on selling your home sometime in the future. 

Upgrade Your Front Door

Sticking with the home itself, replacing the existing front door with a new and decorative one can create an almost surprising change in its overall appearance. There are many styles to choose from, from classic and traditional ones to more modern ones with contemporary lines and designs.

Alternatively, installing new hardware, such as door knobs, handles, and even a knocker, can also improve the curb appeal and make your home stand out from the rest on your street. Bonus points if you install surveillance at the front door, such as a smart doorbell or other cameras, to help keep your property safe.

Consider Landscaping

Landscaping can be much more than mowing the lawn when the grass is too tall. A beautifully kept front yard can greatly impact your overall curb appeal, and if you add colorful flowers, fruit bushes, or shrubs and trees that attract wildlife, you can create a vibrant and interesting outdoor space.

At The HandyForce, we love helping people improve their curb appeal through our landscaping services. We can design new and interesting landscaping features or help maintain and maintain your existing ones. Contact us today for more information.

Pressure Wash Exterior Surfaces

Dirt, grime, and mildew detract from the overall exterior. Luckily, these can easily be removed with a pressure washer, and they are also quite affordable and quick to do. Whether you wish to do this yourself or let someone like us handle the project is your choice entirely.

In particular, we recommend pressure washing the sidewalk and driveway and any exterior walls showing signs of algae or other unwanted particles. Not only will this improve your curb appeal, but also help prolong the lifespan of your home.

Install Outdoor Lighting

Finally, adding lights that illuminate your property in the evening will not only make it cozier and more accessible at all hours, but it can also help deter would-be trespassers. Many types of outdoor lights are available these days, from solar-powered lights to complete systems that can be controlled remotely.

Combine your outdoor lights with the previous two items on our list for even better results, as your lights will help frame your landscaping efforts and showcase your beautifully clean exterior surfaces. They can also help highlight any particular points of interest in your home, such as architectural features and so on.

Small-Scale Renovations for Increasing Resale Value

Typically homeowners consider large projects when brainstorming ways in which to increase their resale value. But not all renovations require you to add extra livable space or completely overhauling your property. Sometimes, it is the small-scale changes that can make a substantial impact on the perceived value of your home.

Today we will look closer at the art of strategic, small-scale renovations and how they can yield significant returns. From revitalizing key rooms like kitchens and bathrooms to enhancing curb appeal through targeted exterior upgrades, this article will guide you through a range of impactful ideas that are affordable. Enjoy!

The Power of First Impressions

Let us start with the exterior, as this is typically what potential buyers see the first. And in fact, curb appeal can make or break a potential buyer’s first impression of your home. As they say, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

The exterior of your home sets the tone for what lies within, and small-scale exterior upgrades can play a pivotal role in drawing in prospective buyers whether they see a for sale sign driving by, or browsing realtors online. A fresh coat of paint on the front door, trim, and shutters can instantly rejuvenate the facade of any home.

Landscaping is equally important, as well-maintained flower beds, manicured lawns, and neatly trimmed hedges create an inviting atmosphere. Enhance the entryway with potted plants and a clean welcome mat to make visitors feel at home from the moment they step foot on your property. Finally, old and worn fencing can detract substantially from the visual appeal, and is not that expensive to fix.

Kitchen Revitalization

Almost anyone looking to buy a home will look closely at the kitchen, as it is often considered the heart of the home, and where most Canadian families spend a significant amount of time. While full renovations can be relatively expensive, the good news is that you do not need a complete overhaul to make an impact.

Strategic small-scale renovations to the kitchen can help make it much more appealing. Some of our favorite tips include updating the hardware with modern finishes that are in vogue, replacing outdated cabinet pulls and knobs.

If your budget allows, repainting cabinets and adding new, sleek handles can give your kitchen a fresh, contemporary look. Modern light fixtures, such as pendant lights above an island or under-cabinet LED lighting, not only illuminate the space but also add a touch of sophistication.

Paint and Refresh

Giving your home a fresh coat of paint is a relatively easy and inexpensive way to transform the look and feel of your home. When painting with resale in mind, neutral and light colors are preferable, as they create a blank canvas that allows buyers to envision their own style and furniture in the space. A neutral palette also makes rooms feel larger and more open.

Consider painting over bold or dated colors that might not align with a wide range of tastes. Beyond walls, you should also pay attention to baseboards, trim, and ceilings to ensure a cohesive and polished appearance.

Return on Investment

Finally, while large-scale renovations can come with hefty price tags, small-scale improvements can offer substantial returns on your investment. The appeal of these small upgrades lies in their ability to make a noticeable difference without breaking the bank.

Another benefit of opting for smaller scale renovations, is that it often times leaves open the option of hiring contractors to help with the actual work. At The HandyForce we would love to hear more about your project, as we are experienced in renovations, whether interior or exterior.

We understand that changing the initial perception can result in higher offers and a faster sale process, ultimately providing a favorable return on the relatively modest investment you have made with your small-scale renovations. Good luck!

The Importance of Proper Home Lighting

Lighting is a critical component of any home. Especially so in Canada where the colder months are filled with gray weather and skies clouding the sun out. Good lighting not only illuminates our living space but also enhances the aesthetic appeal and sets the mood of the environment.

And on top of that, proper home lighting can also have a positive impact on our mood and mental health. By ensuring you have adequate natural and artificial lighting throughout your home, you can thus set yourself up for success and a more enjoyable life.

In this article, we will discuss some of the important reasons for installing good lighting in your home, and how it can affect your daily life. Enjoy!

Helping with your sleep

Having proper lighting goes a long way in ensuring we keep a positive outlook in our daily lives. Both natural and artificial light can have a big impact on your circadian rhythms, meaning you could experience issues with falling asleep, or waking up too often during the night, if your lighting is not effectively helping you recharge your energy levels and regulate your internal clock.

Combating seasonal disorders

At the same time, here in Canada where the winter months can be long and dark, many people experience seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD. This disorder can drain your energy levels, impact your mood for the worse, and in general cause a mental state of depression. This typically happens when we go from fall to winter, but it could happen at any time of the year.

Ensuring a comfortable working environment

If you are working from home, it is also important to consider the risk of eye strain, fatigue and other related symptoms caused by poor or inadequate lighting. With an increasing number of Canadians working from home, this is more relevant now than ever as poor lighting can even affect your overall productivity and induce headaches.

Keeps the homeowners safe

Whether you are living alone, with small children or your retired spouse, lighting is also crucial in staying free of accidents. Poor lighting leads to an increase in accidents such as falls, cuts and other injuries. By ensuring your fixtures output an adequate amount of light, you can effectively make your home a safer place to be for everyone visiting or living there.

Ways in which you can upgrade your lighting at home

There are many different methods to choose from, depending on your specific needs. We have gathered a short list of some of the most common options that homeowners choose, so hopefully you will find some inspiration here.

  • Adding more light sources can help distribute light more evenly and reduce shadows.
  • Installing dimmer switches allows you to adjust the brightness of your lighting to fit your needs and save energy.
  • Different types of light bulbs can produce different color temperatures. Some are more suitable for reading and working, while others are for doing chores.
  • Maximizing the natural light in a room can help reduce the need for artificial lighting and create a more pleasant atmosphere.
  • Smart lighting systems allow you to control your lighting from a mobile device, voice assistant, or home automation hub.
  • Replacing outdated or ineffective light fixtures can significantly improve the quality of your lighting.

If you are unsure about the best approach to obtaining proper lighting, consider contacting us. At HandyForce we are always available for a consultation, and we can provide recommendations and even perform the required work all together.