10 Simple Ways to Add Value to Your Home’s Exterior

Has your front door seen a bit of wear-and-tear? The front door doesn’t take up a lot of real estate on your home’s exterior, but its look and condition can make a big statement (for better or worse). The simplest way to bring it back to life is with paint. Opt for a fresh coat of its existing shade, or make a bolder statement by painting it a standout hue like yellow, orange or on-trend Pewter Green.

Marquee Exterior Semi-Gloss Enamel in VINE LEAF, BEHR, prices vary.

Now that your door’s base is looking fresh, why not give the hardware a bit of an overhaul, too? Swapping a worn handle for a sleek new model gives a great first impression, and you can instantly enhance your home’s accessibility by replacing a round knob with a long door pull that’s easier to operate for those with dexterity issues.

EMTEK Round Long Door Pulls, Banbury Lane, $590.

Painting your home’s exterior is an obvious way to transform its look, but a total paint job can be costly and labour intensive. If you’re looking for a quicker refresh, try freshening up the exterior trim in a dark colour (trims and doors don’t always have to be white!). Trim often takes the brunt of wear-and-tear, so a fresh coat of paint can make a big difference. The contrast between light exterior siding and dark trim lends a modern look.

If you’re updating a patio or porch space, but want a renter-friendly or temporary fix, this weatherproof flooring is a great solution. Mix and match patterns, as seen here, to create a customized outdoor floor.

MÄLLSTEN Decking, IKEA, $45.

Good exterior lighting is important for more than just style. Lighting up your front yard or porch at night is an important safety feature that can also help illuminate your home’s value.

Fluted Double Long Indoor/Outdoor Sconce, West Elm, $344.

Swapping your home’s house-number hardware is a super simple, inexpensive update that can take your home from outdated to of-the-moment. An extra tip? Make sure the door numbers are big enough to be easy to read from the street (trust us: your future delivery drivers will thank you!).

Large Modern House Numbers, Etsy, from $21.

Landscaping can go a long way towards making your home’s exterior look beautiful, and it can even help increase your property value — when it’s done right. However, the simplest way to update your exterior landscaping could be to simply declutter. If you’ve lived in your home for a long time, chances are you’ve accumulated a lot of unnecessary things (like dead plants, pieces of old lumber or broken planters) that could be masking your home’s true potential. Do a thorough declutter for a clean exterior aesthetic that makes for a great first impression.

No place to plant a garden or grass? A few artfully arranged planters can add a great pop of colour and shape to any patio or front porch. Go beyond the terracotta that (although a classic) doesn’t add much style, and choose modern planters like this beauty.

Capra Designs Solstice Planter, Anthropologie, $125.

This miniature modern farmhouse mailbox is just the thing to reflect the style of your home. Choose a mailbox with clean lines and a matte or glossy finish for a sleek upgrade that delivers a lot of bang for your buck.

Modern Farmhouse Mailbox, Pottery Barn, from $84.

You’d be surprised at how big a difference something as simple as adding a new (or replacing an old) doormat can make to your home’s overall curb appeal. If the rest of your front porch is quite neutral, go with a pop of colour or bold pattern to add interest.

Marimekko Papajo Doormat, West Elm, $44.