Giving Your Home Personality

If you’ve ever looked at houses for sale you have probably noticed how many homes are bland and characterless, particularly if they’ve been built en masse by contractors building entire neighbourhoods or are hold-overs from the 1970s. There are a variety of ways that you can add some charm and character to the outside of your home to make it more appealing for yourself or to buyers.

One of the easier ways to add some pizzazz to your home is with paint. On the outside of your house consider using interesting accent colors to add visual interest; try using a striking color on your front door. Consult a painting company or take a drive around your town to get ideas. Most paint manufacturers put out a “what’s hot” list for the year with a few collections of complementary paint colors.

Trims are another great way to add character to your house. Consider faux stonework around any exposed foundation areas to dress them up at a lower cost than real stone or brick. Fancy gingerbread trims or accents like brass door knockers can really add some interest to the front of your house.

A neatly landscaped front yard can also add a lot of charm to a house. Try to use native plants and grasses where possible to make your yard easier to maintain and more environmentally friendly. Try to avoid boxy little flower beds in your front yard, give the yard a more organic flow by curving flower beds and adding visual interest with a garden edging to keep the edges of your lawn neat. Flagstones set in the lawn in high traffic areas can help your lawn stay healthier as well as adding personality to your yard.

Remember, jazzing up the outside of your house to make it more appealing doesn’t have to cost a lot. If you want to keep your costs down, consider options that you can accomplish yourself or with the help of friends. Take a look at classes offered in your area; many home and yard stores also offer workshops that can help you with your projects. In a little time you can make a great difference to the curb appeal of your home.