Looking to create an impact and impress your neighbours? Freshening up your home’s curb appeal is not only a great way to achieve top dollar when it’s time to sell, it also creates a warm welcome and enhances the architecture of your house.

Here are 6 things you can do to maximise your property’s street appeal making your home the envy of your neighbours.

1. Refresh your paintwork

Giving your home a fresh lick of paint can do wonders for its façade, particularly if your architecture is dated or lacking in style. Don’t be afraid to move beyond the traditional colours of your neighbourhood, however, remember to consider the era of your home before you get your brush out.

2. Go bold with your front door

Est Magazine Mosman Front Door
Mosman home by Burley Katon Halliday. Image: Est Magazine

Front doors are the perfect place to add personality and inject a splash of colour. Choose a bold palette, a striking design or simply update the hardware to create a contemporary look. Remember it’s a relatively inexpensive piece to change later down the track so be brave.

3. Give your driveway definition

Coolum random ashlar natural stone walling used on front fence with Bluestone pavers as driveway
Coolum walling used on front fence with Bluestone pavers as driveway

Driveways can take up a large portion of your front garden so it’s worth investing in the time and money to update its appearance. Consider replacing the old cracked concrete for a cobblestone or exposed aggregate drive to soften the overall look. Lay the same surface throughout the front garden, like this home that uses bluestone on the driveway, path and entrance steps. Add plants along the driveway edge or clad the carport with a creeper to integrate the structure with the rest of the garden.

4. Ditch the lawn for garden

Front lawns rarely get used and just means more mowing and watering to keep it looking healthy and green. Instead of a lawn, plant out your front garden to make a real statement. Full garden beds and trees will dramatically enhance the appearance of your home.

5. Create an entry experience

Malvern
Malvern front garden designed by Eckersley Garden Architecture

From the minute your guests open the gate, decide on the experience you would like for them entering your property. An impressive gate, a meandering pathway, well-finished steps or plants at the front door all add to the experience.

6. Dress your home’s exterior

Dressing your home to add personality isn’t just reserved for the interior. Think about your home’s letterbox, numbers and more importantly, the lighting. Place a collection of pots, an eye-catching sculpture or add a pair of armchairs in your front garden.

When updating your home’s front garden consider not only it’s curb appeal, but the experience you wish to create for your guests when they enter your property.