First Impressions Really Matter: How To Make Your Home Exterior Appealing

Whatever you approach in life, your decision is almost completely swayed in the first few seconds. They say first impressions matter and that's certainly true, but why - because our brain focuses on first impressions to be efficient.

First impressions are vital in so many aspects of life, and your house is just another example of an object that gets judged immediately. Your home may be absolutely gorgeous on the inside, but if people don’t like what they see, on the outside to begin with, then it could be a negative when selling you home.

For those of you that would like to give the exterior a little shake-up in order to make it look a lot more attractive to guests and passers-by alike, here are a few ways you can make the front a lot more appealing:

Neaten up the driveway and front yard

This is pretty obvious, but it’s a job that can be tedious. A driveway is traditionally just a plain patch of concrete or tarmac that a vehicle sits on, but it can get dirty pretty quickly. Perhaps you could get a pressure washer and spend twenty or so minutes blasting the floor. You’d be surprised at how much this can improve the appearance. Annoying little weeds like to rear their ugly heads every now and again – dealing with them would go a long way in terms of aesthetics and kerb appeal.

You’d be surprised at how much small things like these can improve the appearance. Or if it needs a bit more love you may want to install a new fancy stone driveway. But where do you start? 

One of the first things that may cross your mind is 'how you're going to dispose of your old driveway' and 'which dumpster is best for tearing up a driveway?' If this is the case you will want to contact a local dumpster firm as they will be able to advise you on what you'll need and provide you with a quote for the work. However, if you don't want to commit to such a big project you may opt to just resurface your driveway which would save you both time and money. On the other hand, if you have a fairly damaged entryway in terms of fencing, then perhaps you could install some aluminium gates or something similarly stylish. Saying ‘hello’ to people in style would score major points from the outset.

Add some accessories and extras

In terms of the driveway, you could add some large plants and ornaments near the front door to highlight the entrance or even a Flagpole, this is a great addition to your drive, with a variety of flagpole parts and accessories available online, you can customize it to your preference. What about a welcome mat too, as this shows you like to invite people into your home. Don't forget that the door can often do with some tender loving care too, so why not polish the brass and give it a lick of paint if it is looking dejected.  

Think about your windows

You obviously need great windows in order to protect privacy, allow natural light, and to keep yourselves warm during the winter. They’re important in terms of the exterior too, though. You may not notice average windows, but you’ll certainly focus on ugly ones! If you have old and damaged windows then perhaps it’s time to upgrade to something like uPVC.

Be safe and sound

When a house gives off an air of security, people feel more secure. Having a home that is safe and secure allows us to get on with our lives without having to look over our shoulder at all times. When people see that a home has lots of safety precautions attached to it, they automatically feel more content. If you have the funds, then you could install things like CCTV cameras and security systems. We talked about lighting in terms of aesthetics, but you could also add larger lights in gardens and courtyards to deter any burglars. Criminals like operating in the darkness so motion sensor lights are a great idea.

So here are some ways to make your home exterior appealing. Are there any tips or tricks that you know?

*Collaborative post