Easy Ways To Improve the Curb Appeal Of Your Home

With more time spent at home, now is the perfect time to seize the everyday and tackle tasks around the home that you may not have had the time to in the past. From D.I.Y. fence and patio repair tips to how to create your own backyard oasis for your family, Canadian Tire and Yahoo Canada are proud to help Canadians get there by bringing you everything you need for the season.

Our homes are a source of pride, and with more time spent at home this summer, it’s a perfect opportunity to give our abodes some long overdue TLC.

According to Chris O’Donahue, owner of the award-winning Great Canadian Landscaping Company based in Vancouver, maintaining or investing in the curb appeal is about more than aesthetics - it’s also a financially sound thing to do.

“Homes are the number one asset for most Canadians,” O’Donahue told Yahoo Canada. “If you don’t properly care for your home, your asset is going to be worth less, and when you do decide to take care of it, like when it comes time to sell, it can cost you a lot of money. You can end up losing money and then some because you haven’t taken care of it.”

With nearly 30 years of experience in landscaping, he views simple things like taking care of your lawn and power-washing your exterior as fuelling the “health” of your home.

“Your home’s landscaping can help you detect and identify issues,” he explained. “You can identify drainage issues, rotting fences, cracks in retaining walls, pest and insect issues like termites, carpenter ants...things like any rotting siding that can potentially lead to moisture and mold, all of these things that can be costly to fix.”

While landscapers like O’Donahue can help homeowners tackle larger, more expensive projects, there are many simple and affordable DIY ways to drastically improve the curb appeal and add value to your home.

From quick and easy tasks to weekend projects, we’ve rounded up the top ways to increase the curb appeal of your home so you can make the most of the time spent in your own space.

Make Your Front Door Pop

Painting your front door is an inexpensive way to drastically change the appearance of your home, and it’s fairly easy to do! Be sure to choose a colour that’s bright, but won’t clash with the other colours of your home. A semi-gloss exterior paint like the Premier Infinity Exterior Paint is ideal for exterior features like doors and windows and trim won’t crack or peel and is mold and mildew resistant.

Pressure Wash The Exterior

Using a pressure washer like the Simoniz 1700 PSI Electric Pressure Washer is one of the easiest ways to boost your home’s curb appeal. Aside from removing unsightly stains and grime, pressure washing also helps remove mold and mildew that can buildup and pose a potentially harmful health and structural risk to your family and home.

Spruce Up Your Driveway

If it’s been a couple of years since you’ve touched your driveway, resealing it is an easy and cost-effective way to boost your home’s curb appeal — and it also helps prolong its life. For a long-lasting job, this Airport+ All Season Driveway Sealer is a great option. It’s drive and rain ready in just 12 hours — and while experts usually recommend resealing your driveway every 1-3 years, this particular sealer will keep it protected for 5 years.

Revamp Your Exterior Lighting

While you may be concerned about your home’s appearance during the day- O'Donohue advises upgrading your exterior lighting which can prove valuable in more ways than one.

“Lighting is key,” he explained. “Not only does it add dimension to your home, but it also provides security. It’s on when you travel, it’s scheduled to go off in the early hours of the morning...it really adds a level of security to your home.”

Repair And Revive Your Lawn

According to O’Donahue, “a new lawn can change everything.” And while it may seem like a logical fix, lawn maintenance can pose an obstacle for some homeowners.

Giving your lawn a good soak 1-2 times per week can help strengthen your grass’s roots and ensure that your lawn stays hydrated on hot summer days. Aside from giving your grass enough water, feeding your lawn regularly using the nutrient rich Scotts Turf Builder Pro Lawn Food will help ensure your grass grows thick and full.

Enhance Your Home With Flowers

Never underestimate what flowers and plants can do for your home. O’Donahue suggests adding bright, seasonal flowers and plants immediately helps boost curb appeal.

When used strategically, planters, hanging baskets and window boxes can help accentuate the features of your home. Framing your front door with planters, staggering planters on different levels of your porch or lining your walkway with florals can help create a welcoming, inviting front entrance.

Upgrade Your Landscaping

There are tons of ways to upgrade your home’s landscaping without breaking the bank. Adding a border to your garden and flower beds, laying a new stone pathway can dramatically improve your home’s curb appeal.

“Adding mulch to your garden is a simple trick,” O’Donahue advised. “Weed out your garden, add a new layer of mulch and it will look brand new again.”

To add a pop of colour to your garden try the Scotts Nature Scapes Mulch in a vibrant Sierra Red, which can add interest to your lawn without fading or losing colour over time.

Canadian Tire and Yahoo Canada are helping Canadians seize the everyday this summer, with tips, tricks and everything you need for the season. Click here for more!