In Business Since 2001 We accept Paypal
Home Article Directory
More from Bill Platt
"Bill Platt for Book Authors" Youtube Channel
Training for Book Authors
Other Resources for Book Authors & Publishers
FictionPlots.com (350+ Plots & counting)
Please Support Our Advertisers

 
D9 Hosting


6 Eye-Catching Ways to Add Curb Appeal to Your House

Copyright (c) 2006-2023

The exterior of your home offers a first impression of your house and your style. Make the most of those initial seconds by maximizing your home's curb appeal. This holds true whether you are selling your home or plan to live in it forever.

1) Clean up. The most important way to enhance your curb appeal is to clean up. Trim or remove overgrown bushes and shrubs. Eliminate all weeds. Cut the lawn. Spartan is better than messy. Repave or reseal your driveway. Fix anything that is broken. Power wash or paint stained concrete. (There are specially formulated paints for concrete.) And if a concrete stair or pad is sinking, have it raised or replace it. Make sure your roof is in good condition and that your brick mortar is well tuckpointed and your siding freshly painted. You wouldn't want to meet people in dirty, torn clothes; don't greet them with the housing equivalent.

2) Landscaping. Simple landscaping can go a long way. Arrange plants, trees, and shrubs in odd number groups using a variety of colors, heights, and textures. Be sure to leave room for growth. I've seen many a landscaping job look great for the first three years, only to be overgrown soon thereafter. If you know about perennials, plant those in a variety to provide blooms throughout the warmer months. If your knowledge of perennials starts and ends with hostas, planting annuals is as an excellent way to add color in spring and summer.

3) Shutters. I view windows as the eyes of your house. Shutters are a very easy way to make your home more welcoming. There are very few styles of homes that won't benefit from shutters. They should be the height of your window from the sill to the top trim. When shutters were functional instead of decorative, they were to be half the width of the window so the pair would cover the entire window in bad weather. Now, just make sure the width is fairly proportionate to the window, and never less than 12" wide. Your shutters can be any color but pick a scheme that complements your siding, brick, and trim. My personal favorite is deep hunter green, but black nearly always works. I prefer wooden shutters so you can paint them any color you wish, but if you get vinyl, be sure to replace them if the color begins to fade.

4) Door. If windows are your home's eyes, then the door is the mouth. Make it inviting. Stained wood doors are most favored now in woods like cherry, mahogany, and even oak. Today you can get simulated wood doors made from fiberglass that look like wood from a distance, are very durable, and much less expensive. In many ways, I still prefer painted doors because of the endless possibilities of color for accent. You can paint the door the same color as your shutters, but I usually prefer a complementary color, often a shade of red - anywhere from burnt red brick to a deep red that's almost plum. It all depends on your ...

5) Color. A house with curb appeal has color. Several complementary colors. Most paint manufacturers offer groups of colors that work well together. This can give you some good ideas. I personally like to see siding, trim, shutters and doors in different colors. Typically I prefer the trim to be the lightest color with the shutters and doors providing the greatest accent. However, some houses are stunning when the trim is the most vibrant color. And with a "painted lady" Victorian style home, you can use several different colors all to accent various architectural features of the house.

6) Distinctive mailbox and numbers. Make a statement with your mailbox, especially if it's on your house instead of the curb. These can get a bit pricey, but will really add appeal to your front elevation. Some single nail up address numbers will do the trick, but there are many more options these days. There are ceramic tile. Brass plates. Custom painted ceramic signs with flowers. Engraved stone if your house is stone or brick. When we were selling remodeled homes, our realtor always got us a custom painted ceramic address sign. It incorporated the colors of the house and added a truly charming element when people walked up to the front door. Have your mailbox and address welcome your visitors, not simply tell them this is the right house.

As you can see, there are six easy ways to enhance the curb appeal of your home. The key is to remember that the front of your house is typically the first thing visitors see. Make a good impression with a well maintained, landscaped home offering those little details and coordinating colors that add richness and luxury to your front elevation.


About The Author: Shop Amazon - Top Gift Ideas
Julie Lohmeier is the veteran of numerous home remodeling and building projects. From working hands on and doing much of the work herself to hiring contractors and construction managers, she has seen the entire spectrum of home improvement. She shares her remodeling tips, home decorating ideas, and other various rants at http://www.myhomeredux.com. Sign up for her free email newsletter at: http://myhomeredux.typepad.com/blog/2005/09/get_my_home_red_2.html Copyright © 2006, Julie Lohmeier, http://www.myhomeredux.com

VOTE ON THIS ARTICLE
Needs Work >> 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 << Excellent Article

Tell our authors what you think about their article.



Top-Level Category: Articles

10 Most Recent Articles Written by Julie Lohmeier

5 Easy Home Improvement Projects for Less Than 500
Written by: Julie Lohmeier | Distributed: 2008-04-02 | Word Count: 433 | Page Views: 5054 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 2.83
It is possible to update a room and even remodel it without taking out a loan or raiding your savings. Here are five easy projects you can do yourself on the cheap for $500 or less.

4 Tips for Getting the Best Bids for a Remodeling Job
Written by: Julie Lohmeier | Distributed: 2007-10-11 | Word Count: 353 | Page Views: 4588 | Votes: 16 | Rating: 2.44
The slump in housing starts and sales has flooded the news reports in the last month or so. While this may not be the best time to sell a home, it's a great time to buy and an excellent time to remodel. Get your house ready for the turnaround - it will come - and save money. How? Contractors are slow. That means they're more willing to negotiate and offer better pricing than when they have so many jobs that they're turning them away.

6 Secrets To Cottage Style Decorating
Written by: Julie Lohmeier | Distributed: 2007-07-17 | Word Count: 474 | Page Views: 4525 | Votes: 11 | Rating: 2.64
Cottage style decorating is a popular style right now. Just look at any home decorating magazine on the shelf – all will talk about it, some exclusively cover it. It so common, familiar, and reminiscent of vacations of your childhood past, you may not even realize that it's a decorating style of its own.

5 Easy Ways To Decorate With Sheets
Written by: Julie Lohmeier | Distributed: 2007-06-29 | Word Count: 1270 | Page Views: 5381 | Votes: 11 | Rating: 2.82
Want a custom, coordinated look that is inexpensive? Use bedsheets. Yep, the same sheets you cuddle under at night can turn a bedroom from boring to stunning. A designer look at Walmart prices.

Finding Decorating Treasures At Garage Sales
Written by: Julie Lohmeier | Distributed: 2007-06-01 | Word Count: 314 | Page Views: 6849 | Votes: 11 | Rating: 2.09
As they say, one woman's junk is another's treasure. If you'd like to add interesting pieces to your home that are old, have a history and story, and also fit some the latest trends in decorating, go to garage sales.

3 Secrets To Luxuriously Looking Drapes
Written by: Julie Lohmeier | Distributed: 2007-05-15 | Word Count: 271 | Page Views: 4268 | Votes: 10 | Rating: 2.80
For drapes that look rich and luxurious, keep these three tips in mind: fabric, fullness, and layers.

9 Ways To Make A Small Bath Look Bigger
Written by: Julie Lohmeier | Distributed: 2007-04-27 | Word Count: 281 | Page Views: 4990 | Votes: 10 | Rating: 2.50
A small bath - it's a common problem. It may be a bath in an old house, an added powder room, or even a bath tucked under stairs. But how can you make a tiny space look bigger than it actually is?

How to Make An Easy, Quick Valance
Written by: Julie Lohmeier | Distributed: 2007-04-16 | Word Count: 442 | Page Views: 6399 | Votes: 12 | Rating: 1.92
If you can sew a straight line, you can create this valance in just an hour.

7 Extraordinary Ceiling Treatments
Written by: Julie Lohmeier | Distributed: 2006-11-28 | Word Count: 79 | Page Views: 17637 | Votes: 30 | Rating: 1.77
In a recent post, I mentioned how ceilings are no longer simply plain white. They're painted; they're designed; they're the focal point of a room.

13 Easy and Inexpensive Fall Decorating Ideas
Written by: Julie Lohmeier | Distributed: 2006-09-26 | Word Count: 567 | Page Views: 7965 | Votes: 12 | Rating: 2.25
Autumn provides a bounty of decorating ideas. No need to decorate for fall with cheap, plastic, fake items when the real thing is inexpensive, more tasteful, and easily creates a beautiful fall ambiance in your home. Here are 13 ideas that you can easily do.

All of Author's Articles on this site:

Most Recent "" Articles

Ann Arbor, MI Offers A Lot Of Year-Around Family Fun
Written by: Jeb Maxwell | Distributed: 2010-01-20 | Word Count: 595 | Page Views: 4814 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 1.25
Ann Arbor, Michigan is the home of the University of Michigan, a leading institution of higher education. Ann Arbor is a wonderful place to visit. The University is co-mingled with the city and greatly expands the cultural places and events available in the area.

Flowers Are The Perfect Gift For Father's Day
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF | Distributed: 2008-02-20 | Word Count: 486 | Page Views: 5984 | Votes: 17 | Rating: 2.24
Dads everywhere have Sonora Smart Dodd to thank for getting Father's Day started. In 1909, Sonora sat in a church in Spokane, Washington listening to a sermon expounding on the virtues of motherhood. But, as she sat there, she thought about how special her own father was since it was he who raised her after the death of her mother.

Finding the Adventure in Travel Again
Written by: Helen Bergstein | Distributed: 2006-05-11 | Word Count: 718 | Page Views: 4438 | Votes: 14 | Rating: 2.64
If you want to experience adventure at every level of your next trip, you need to go beyond the usual resorts and places to stay. If you're like most travelers, personal safety remains a priority, especially in today's world. A growing number of savvy travelers have found the perfect balance between adventure and comfort.

7 Tips to Hiring a Good DJ for your Party
Written by: Kamau Austin | Distributed: 2006-05-11 | Word Count: 563 | Page Views: 5346 | Votes: 11 | Rating: 1.36
If you want to have a party that everyone will be talking about for days and years later, hire a good DJ to run your music and light show. Hiring a DJ can actually be fun. Just follow these simple tips, and you are sure to have a fabulous DJ for your party.

Building your Credit to get a Mortgage
Written by: Kamau Austin | Distributed: 2006-05-11 | Word Count: 840 | Page Views: 5401 | Votes: 17 | Rating: 2.24
You are thinking about purchasing real estate. However, you are not sure if your credit is good enough to get a mortgage. There are things that you can do to build your credit so that it is worthy of any mortgage that may interest you.

1569 Unique Ways To Get A Free Lunch
Written by: Steve Robichaud | Distributed: 2006-05-07 | Word Count: 0 | Page Views: 3681 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 0.33
Everywhere you turn - T.V., Radio, magazines, or the Internet, someone is talking about government grants. What's the real story? Does the government give away real money, to ordinary people, to use for whatever they want? Let's take a closer look:

Don't Wait to Start Your Marketing Strategy
Written by: Jo Fulkerson | Distributed: 2006-05-07 | Word Count: 0 | Page Views: 3947 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 0.33
Your novel is finished, you’ve had it edited by a professional Editor, and you’ve done the rewrites. What? You haven’t had an editor edit your work yet? This is a must. There are many editors advertising in Writer’s Digest.

NEVER Reply to an eGroup Post!
Written by: BIG Mike McDaniel | Distributed: 2006-05-07 | Word Count: 0 | Page Views: 5204 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 0.33
eGroups are collections of people subscribed to a common (discussion list) address. When one member sends an eMail message to the eGroup address, it is automatically sent to everyone else on the list. As subscribers open and read their eMail, discussion threads take shape with additional posts and replies. The attraction of eGroups is the ability to join in at your convenience as opposed to the confinement of live chat rooms.

Reasons behind Shoulder Pain
Written by: Jessica Horowitz | Distributed: 2006-05-07 | Word Count: 0 | Page Views: 4998 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 0.33
Pain between the shoulder blades, or any pain for that matter, is your body's way of notifying you that something is amiss. You should never ignore it and hope it will *go away by itself*. There are a multitude of possible causes of pain between the shoulder blades. We'll discuss common ones in this article and start with the most serious conditions first:

Effective Managers Need To Coach
Written by: Wendy Hearn | Distributed: 2006-05-07 | Word Count: 0 | Page Views: 4479 | Votes: 4 | Rating: 0.75
Bearing in mind the fast pace of business today and the need to stay competitive, it's essential that managers should be effective. They need to be especially effective with their people and this requires learning to coach. For most managers, coaching has been added to their role anyway, but the majority haven't received any training in coaching skills.

Most Viewed "" Articles

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY - LIFE'S BIGGEST QUESTION
Written by: Richard Sparky Bryan | Distributed: 2006-05-07 | Word Count: 0 | Page Views: 13849 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 0.33
When did Americans stop taking responsibility for their own actions? My friend agreed that the slide began in the late 1960's with the growth of the drug culture. But he was quick to emphasize that although the sixties began the slide, the real sharp slope did not arrive until the 1990's. Along about 1993, the slide began to sharpen. It was not until early 1998 that the slope became a steep cliff.

High Thread Count Bed Sheets. How Many Threads Does A Bed Sheet Need?
Written by: Liz Beresford | Distributed: 2004-09-14 | Word Count: 0 | Page Views: 6652 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 0.33
High thread count bed sheets, often called percale, are much advertised, but what exactly does 'high thread' count mean? You know that it means quality and comfort, but do you know why? It used to be considered good to have thread count of 180-200 but thread counts of up to 1000 are advertised these days.. So what is going on? Does high thread count always mean better quality? Is there an optimum thread count, and if so what is it?

Muzzling the Motor Mouths: Silence Workplace Windbags
Written by: Bill Lampton Ph.D. | Distributed: 2005-12-01 | Word Count: 0 | Page Views: 6384 | Votes: 4 | Rating: 0.50
During my twenty-three years in management, I dealt with blabbermouths frequently, so for the last ten years I have advised clients on how to silence the workplace windbags. Here are my suggestions for muzzling the motor mouths:

Better Than Botox is there a Safer Substitute?
Written by: Kamau Austin | Distributed: 2005-09-08 | Word Count: 0 | Page Views: 6272 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 0.33
Women since time immemorial have always looked for ways to enhance and prolong their beauty. This of course becomes more difficult as they age.

12 Ways to Promote Your Business And Website for Free
Written by: Ivana Katz | Distributed: 2005-03-29 | Word Count: 0 | Page Views: 6246 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 0.33
You are very excited!! You have finally created your own website!! But the trouble is customers aren*t knocking on your website door. Why? The most probable answer is...

Transform Your Work Area into a Homey Environment
Written by: Ted Roberson | Distributed: 2006-02-24 | Word Count: 0 | Page Views: 6076 | Votes: 4 | Rating: 1.25
Nothing enables one to think and work better than a comfortable working environment. Especially if you have a sedentary job, you've got to have little knick knacks around that will enliven your spirits or which you can look at for inspiration or just to zone out in relaxation.

Flowers Are The Perfect Gift For Father's Day
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF | Distributed: 2008-02-20 | Word Count: 486 | Page Views: 5984 | Votes: 17 | Rating: 2.24
Dads everywhere have Sonora Smart Dodd to thank for getting Father's Day started. In 1909, Sonora sat in a church in Spokane, Washington listening to a sermon expounding on the virtues of motherhood. But, as she sat there, she thought about how special her own father was since it was he who raised her after the death of her mother.

Sell Yourself, Not Your Products or Services
Written by: Bill Platt | Distributed: 2004-05-03 | Word Count: 0 | Page Views: 5728 | Votes: 2 | Rating: 0.50
Sell yourself, not your products or services. The point we need to make is that your products and services will change over time as your business adapts to the realities of the marketplace.

Building your Credit to get a Mortgage
Written by: Kamau Austin | Distributed: 2006-05-11 | Word Count: 840 | Page Views: 5401 | Votes: 17 | Rating: 2.24
You are thinking about purchasing real estate. However, you are not sure if your credit is good enough to get a mortgage. There are things that you can do to build your credit so that it is worthy of any mortgage that may interest you.

7 Tips to Hiring a Good DJ for your Party
Written by: Kamau Austin | Distributed: 2006-05-11 | Word Count: 563 | Page Views: 5346 | Votes: 11 | Rating: 1.36
If you want to have a party that everyone will be talking about for days and years later, hire a good DJ to run your music and light show. Hiring a DJ can actually be fun. Just follow these simple tips, and you are sure to have a fabulous DJ for your party.

Highest Ranked "" Articles

Saying "Yes" to Life
Written by: Bruce Elkin | Distributed: 2006-04-27 | Word Count: 0 | Page Views: 2022 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 3.20
Do you ever gripe and complain about life? About what happens to you, or what you have or do not have? I used to, a lot. I hoped complaining would make things better. But it didn't.

Finding the Adventure in Travel Again
Written by: Helen Bergstein | Distributed: 2006-05-11 | Word Count: 718 | Page Views: 4438 | Votes: 14 | Rating: 2.64
If you want to experience adventure at every level of your next trip, you need to go beyond the usual resorts and places to stay. If you're like most travelers, personal safety remains a priority, especially in today's world. A growing number of savvy travelers have found the perfect balance between adventure and comfort.

Freedom- or Burden of Choice?
Written by: Patsi Krakoff | Distributed: 2004-09-30 | Word Count: 0 | Page Views: 1138 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 2.57
Everyday decisions have become increasingly complex due to the overwhelming abundance of choice with which we are presented. A trip to a typical supermarket reveals enormous choices such as 85 different crackers, 285 types of cookies, 230 varieties of canned soup, 80 different pain relievers, and 360 kinds of shampoo. Does this improve the quality of our lives?

Building your Credit to get a Mortgage
Written by: Kamau Austin | Distributed: 2006-05-11 | Word Count: 840 | Page Views: 5401 | Votes: 17 | Rating: 2.24
You are thinking about purchasing real estate. However, you are not sure if your credit is good enough to get a mortgage. There are things that you can do to build your credit so that it is worthy of any mortgage that may interest you.

Flowers Are The Perfect Gift For Father's Day
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF | Distributed: 2008-02-20 | Word Count: 486 | Page Views: 5984 | Votes: 17 | Rating: 2.24
Dads everywhere have Sonora Smart Dodd to thank for getting Father's Day started. In 1909, Sonora sat in a church in Spokane, Washington listening to a sermon expounding on the virtues of motherhood. But, as she sat there, she thought about how special her own father was since it was he who raised her after the death of her mother.

Testimonials and Reviews Increase Your Real Sales Potential
Written by: Bill Platt | Distributed: 2006-02-10 | Word Count: 0 | Page Views: 3007 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 2.00
The one essential ingredient for online success in any endeavor is gaining your prospect's trust.

7 Tips to Hiring a Good DJ for your Party
Written by: Kamau Austin | Distributed: 2006-05-11 | Word Count: 563 | Page Views: 5346 | Votes: 11 | Rating: 1.36
If you want to have a party that everyone will be talking about for days and years later, hire a good DJ to run your music and light show. Hiring a DJ can actually be fun. Just follow these simple tips, and you are sure to have a fabulous DJ for your party.

Ann Arbor, MI Offers A Lot Of Year-Around Family Fun
Written by: Jeb Maxwell | Distributed: 2010-01-20 | Word Count: 595 | Page Views: 4814 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 1.25
Ann Arbor, Michigan is the home of the University of Michigan, a leading institution of higher education. Ann Arbor is a wonderful place to visit. The University is co-mingled with the city and greatly expands the cultural places and events available in the area.

How to Decorate Your Home on EBay
Written by: Pamela Cole Harris | Distributed: 2005-09-14 | Word Count: 0 | Page Views: 2206 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 1.20
If you are on a budget (and who isn’t?), a wonderful place for find home decorating accessories is auction sites like eBay. But before you go a’baying, here is some advice...

The "Proprietary Blend" Nutritional Supplement
Written by: Will Brink | Distributed: 2006-02-10 | Word Count: 0 | Page Views: 3558 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 0.60
In a nut shell, I went onto cover each of these common marketing terms that are used to sell supplements to unwitting consumers and explained each in detail as to what I view as their common misuse within the market place.











Download an eBook today
 
Directory Navigation
Locate By Category:

ALL Categories
Arts & Crafts
Arts & Entertainment
Automotive
Business - Offline
Business - Online
Career
Computers
Education
Family
Finance
Food & Drink
Health & Wellness
Home & Garden
Humor
Internet
Nature & Pets
Real Estate
Religion
Self Improvement
Shopping
Society
Sports & Recreation
Technology
Travel & Leisure
Uncategorized
World Events
Writing & Speaking

Change Number of Results:
50 - 100 - 200 - 500
Article Reprint Rights
Creative Commons License

This work is
licensed under a
Creative Commons
License


You are not required to show the creative commons license notice when you reprint this work.
Article Statistics
Word Count: 0

Total Views: 2010

Article Rating: 0.50 of 5
Votes Cast: 2

More Articles By Author:



Last Distribution Date:
2006-04-20 08:26:16

Internal ID: #118





All Articles are Copyright © 2001-2023 of the Defined Authors.

All other material and images on this site are:
Copyright © 2001-2023, ThePhantomWriters.com