Six Top Tips for Giving Your Home Kerb Appeal
15
OCT

Six Top Tips for Giving Your Home Kerb Appeal

Kerb appeal is a phrase much loved by estate agents as it refers to how attractive a house looks as seen from the street. The phrase first took hold in the USA in the early ‘noughties’ – although there it was called ‘curb appeal’ – and it didn’t take long before it was integrated into the English vocabulary. A recent survey showed almost seven out of 10 would-be buyers said kerb appeal was an important factor in their choice of home.

The Bespoke Shutter Company supply and install made to measure shutters in South London, other parts of the capital, and in Essex and Hertfordshire. Here we identify six key ways in which you can make your home really stand out from your neighbours, whether you are looking to sell or just want to feel that bit more house-proud.

Clean up Drives, Paths and Gates

Paving, paths and driveways can be eroded or become discoloured over a period of time. If you can afford it, or the path or driveway is large enough, clean it with a pressure washer. Smaller areas can be given a new lease of life with a scrubbing brush and warm, soapy water. Remove any weeds which have sprouted up between cracks and if the approach to the house takes the form of a gravelled driveway, weed it first then top up the gravel with a fresh sprinkling of stones.

Smarten up the Front Door

First impressions of your house always count so give the front door a fresh lick of paint, either in the existing colour or go for something completely new. Deep cleaning the door can also help; this can include an appropriate polish on any metal fixtures and fittings, including door handles, house numbers and letterboxes. Doorsteps can be smartened up with a mat.

Spruce up the Garden

Just as important as removing the plants you don’t want (weeds) are encouraging the ones you do. Potted plants, shrubs and miniature trees are low-maintenance and can be left in the front garden all year round, particularly if they are hardy annuals or perennials and the pots themselves are high-quality, durable ones.

If you have more time (and the beds), put in some summer bedding plants; these will catch the eye of any passer-by during the growing seasons. Hanging baskets full of fuchsias and other colourful flowers are another way of attracting attention.

Make Light Work

Porch and outdoor lights are a welcoming touch whenever you come home in the evening. Where possible, go for something that matches the existing style of your home. If you are worried about the cost, solar-powered wall lights or battery-powered ones which operate by detecting movement won’t add too much to your electricity bills.

Lights have the added benefit of discouraging would-be burglars. Crime Prevention officers will tell you that light is a proven deterrent to criminals.

Don’t Forget the Windows…

Clean windows which were in good condition were rated as important by 71% of homeowners who went on to buy the property, according to a survey by the HomeOwners’ Alliance. Get it done by a professional, particularly if you have upstairs windows and don’t feel comfortable going up ladders.

Don’t forget to clean the frames, whether they are uPVC or wooden. Think about any inside windowsills as well, as these will be visible from outside too. Keep them in good condition and add some attractive ornaments or indoor plants.

…and Install Shutters

Shutters can give your windows a neat and stylish appearance. If you face out onto a busy street with lots of traffic (human as well as vehicular) they will also give you an additional sense of security.

There are plenty of different types you can opt for – solid or full-height shutters, which we can fit to homes and businesses in Herts, Essex and London, will provide maximum privacy. Tier-on-tier or café-style varieties, meanwhile, will give you more flexibility about the amount of light and heat you allow in.

Due to their excellent insulating properties, shutters will help keep your rooms warm in winter and cool in summer.

Made to Measure Shutters from The Bespoke Shutter Company

The Bespoke Shutter Company provide made to measure shutters in North and South London, Hertfordshire and Essex. As well as the types listed above, we can also fit shutters to virtually any size or shape of window.

If you would like to know more, follow this link and fill in the online form, or give us a call on 020 3131 3155.

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