Whether you’re trying to sell your home or just want the best house on the block, your home’s exterior architecture and landscaping, if done well, can make awe-stricken passers-by slam on the brakes. After all, that is the reaction you want your house to cause.

With the housing market in a slump, homeowners are spending more time in their home, so they’re putting that “extra” money to good use in home improvement. “Curb appeal is the outdoor word for focal point,” says Don Hellstern, owner of Farthingale Stone. “Your home, the way it is positioned on the lot, and the way it is framed by both hardscaping and landscaping become the focus of attention to the passer-by. If it is done correctly, the casual passer-by or potential buyer stops and becomes an admirer.”

KCH&G checked with several local experts for tips on gussying up your home’s curb appeal, and even the smallest change can make a world of difference. “Sometimes people don’t realize how simple modifications can be to play up architecture,” says Paul Helmer, principal of Touch of Distinction.

From siding, roofing, lighting and landscaping to windows, doors and details, here’s where you can change your blah exterior into something worth talking about.

Home Exterior and Building Materials

Photo courtesy of Royal Outdoor Products
First rule of thumb: All four exterior walls of the home should be the same color and incorporate architectural details from inside the home. Just by adding a coat of paint, upgrading siding or changing out old stone and veneers, you can make your home look brand new. For your home’s exterior, natural products certainly enhance curb appeal, but if you’re on a budget, opt for an alternative solution. Brick veneer, a traditional, long-lasting choice, is available in cast glass fiber-reinforced concrete and can be applied on a scratch coat like cultured stone, not to mention it comes in a variety of textures, shapes, sizes and colors. If time and money are of the essence, re-cladding, a new trend on the East Coast, increases curb appeal for homes that have wood shingles or siding by solely removing the old or outdated front exterior and reapplying the most updated materials. “Curb appeal has, in many cases, been an after-thought by the builder or architect instead of the basis for design,” Don says. “By re-cladding just the front elevation of your home, you can take curb appeal to a new level.”

It’s also all about color — but not all colors. “The color of the home should be complementary to everything on the outside of the house, not just the house itself,” says Jason Cupp, owner of Highland Outdoor. He also recommends staying away from “fad” colors, or those that are only fashionable for a certain period of time. Who wants to repaint their house more than they have to? If you have a concrete foundation, repaint it and/or use foliage and shrubbery to cover it up. Rock ledges are beneficial when you need to quiet down unsightly features. To get ahead of the game (and keep money in your pocket), there’s no better time to plan curb appeal than at the start of new construction. Use a warm concrete mix during new construction instead of the cold gray color for a more eye-pleasing result.

While some landscape artists and architects prefer to use less than three colors, Brian Gleason, owner of Amazing Siding, says he’s been seeing more and more people use three to four colors, with different colors on siding, overhang, doors, and trim around the windows or shutters. “Changing color combinations can really change the curb appeal,” he says. “Recently, I’ve been seeing the main body in a lighter earth tone or light gray with contrasts of dark, rich colors in the accessory pieces.” If you have a period-specific home, Paul suggests using period-specific colors. For those little extras like vents that stick out like sore thumbs, blend them into the background by painting them the same color as the house itself.

Windows & Doors

Windows and doors are two products that are seen from both the inside and the outside (which is why your taste, style and design should be evident in both places). They’re also the home’s interior access points. No one wants to look through a window or knock on a door that has cobwebs and chipped paint.

Since the front door is one of the first things people see, it should be a good one — with its own personality. Spice it up with some color and texture, and keep in mind that custom doors add character. “A new (or updated) front door can totally change the look and image of a home,” says John Vance, general manager of Pella Products of Kansas City. “Many times a front door of a home says a lot about the individual/family inside of that home.” If you want details, Brian says to try a door surround with crosshead or mantel, which gives a crown molding appearance. Whatever finishes, lines and style you use, be sure it complements the rest of the exterior and gives a glimpse of what’s inside.

Windows are the eyes of the home. If someone’s looking for a new home, and the curb appeal lured them in, their next step is to take a peek through the windows. First, John says, get rid of old clunky and unattractive storm windows that are covering old non-efficient windows and replace them with new energy-efficient ones that don’t require storm windows. Large-format windows let in an abundance of natural light, while the familiar double-hung windows have access to fresh air and are easy to repaint and repair. Pop out the screen for added curb appeal. Another option is Pella’s Integrated Light Technology windows that have grills on the exterior and interior for an Old World appearance.

For added details, including window sills and heads, cladding panels and quoins, TecCast, a process created by Colorado-based Haddonstone (USA) Limited, produces lightweight, simple shapes in cast limestone. It’s a multi-casting process that incorporates vapor curing overnight rather than one week. Window mantels provide texture and detail, and, on the inside, blinds, though they enhance privacy, also add detail. If you want, use different blinds for different windows. They look the same on the outside but add variety to the inside; just make sure they’re the same color or it’s unpleasantly noticeable from the street.  

Roofing & Guttering

When it comes to your roof and gutters, first and foremost, they should be clean, durable and low-maintenance. Roofing should be long-lasting, and water should drain away from the home with a dependable guttering system. Years ago, dependable and long-lasting products weren’t the most attractive features of the home. Today, however, homeowners want both. TAMKO Building Products makes a composite roof product that simulates a slate or cedar shake roof but is more durable and long-lasting, requiring less repair. It comes in many colors, patterns and styles, also increasing a home’s value. Other types of long-lasting roofing options include asphalt shingles and metal shingles from TAMKO’s MetalWorks collection, which simulate cedar shake, slate and tile roofs. Metal shingles are made from galvanized steel and are energy-efficient and cool-roof rated. It’s also considered a green product. Asphalt shingles aren’t as high-end, but they are durable and come in various color options and profiles.

Lighting

Lights, camera, action. That’s the theatrical effect lighting has on a home. At night, it showcases the home, making it stand out from the neighbors, while also adding a sense of security. “Lighting draws attention by accentuating different architectural elements of the house,” Jason says. And, bonus, lighting also can make a home look bigger.

Path lighting on driveways and walkways safely guides guests arriving for an evening celebration. Recessed lighting, on the other hand, adds texture and depth by washing light down the side of the home. Landscape lighting dramatically displays the hard work you put into your yard. If your home is period-specific, Paul recommends staying with the theme, just as with the paint color. Period-appropriate lighting works with the lines and color of the home, as well as the architecture and details, right down to the grain in the trim. Paul recommends using geometric fixtures with the simple Prairie and Arts and Crafts styles of homes. The Tudor is more romantic, so fixtures that have curvature and ornamentation will do wonders to your home. 

Landscaping

A first impression lasts forever, so you want it to be a good one. Landscaping frames and presents your home to outsiders (not to mention, raises the value of your home), so give them something worth looking at. Since it also can disguise or play up the architecture of a home, start with maintenance — mow, mulch, prune trees and shrubs and get rid of weeds. Just by doing this, it “creates a fresh feel and look and an invitation for the eye,” Jason says. If buyers are out house-hunting and you have a poorly maintained landscape, they’re likely to continue driving. Also, Jason says, neighbors are more likely to turn down dinner invites. Besides a nicely manicured yard, colorful plants and trees, along with stylish and complementary containers, planters (some of which are made of lightweight, recyclable materials) and statuary, draw attention. Be sure to update each with the changing season. Jason also believes in reclamation — like the old saying, ‘if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.’ “We won’t just go in and rip things out,” he says. “We’ll keep the plants that should be there and focus on fundamental changes.”

A good addition to any landscape is a water structure. Running water provides a calm, welcoming sound, and along with the pleasant smell of the surrounding landscape, it appeals to more senses. Whether it’s a stand-alone fountain or a water garden built into the landscape, these features are visually stimulating and relaxing at the same time. Plus, you’ll make passers-by want to go get one, too, (or buy your house if it’s on the market).

Driveways are a big deal nowadays. It’s the pathway that leads guests to your home. Pavers, no matter what they are made of, add warmth and an invitation to come to the front of a home, just as cracks and weeds give a run-down, shabby appearance. Landscaping both sides of the driveway welcome guests all the way to the house, making the driveway seem shorter than it might be. An important reminder: Landscaping is not just for the front yard. All four sides of your home should feature something, including the area around your mailbox. Planting flowers there will be the finishing touch.

Outdoor Structures and Living Areas

When guests arrive, you want them to feel welcome. That’s what outdoor structures and living areas provide, in addition to being an extension of the home with easy movement from the inside to the outside. The front porch is a transition room, framing the doorway and creating a focal point and entry point for visitors. “It tends to be an open space that says ‘come on in,’” Paul says. Since homeowners should use elements that relate to both the inside and outside, Paul says, faux finishes can do just that. A canopy or roof structure (an arch is a nice touch) on the front porch creates depth and detail at the entryway, while columns greet visitors as they enter the heart of the home. If you have columns on the front or back porch, give them a good wash; remember, 360 degrees of curb appeal counts. If you don’t have them, give them consideration. Now made of durable products like synthetic, composite and fiberglass, columns can be as plain or detailed, especially with balustrades and finials, as you want. Royal Outdoor Products’ all-vinyl columns are easy to install, weather-resistant and practically maintenance-free forever, while decorative column wraps hide worn supports on older homes. “The choice of exterior enhancements, such as columns, brings a value-added decorating style to the home,” says Mary Lou Denny, vice president of Walt Denny Inc., the agency for Royal Outdoor Products. “Columns also can be a remodeling project that brings extra beauty to the home for all to see.”

Decks, an extension of the home, increase livability, and many homeowners want areas that not only look good but are low-maintenance. Composite decking is a high-end building product and one that will last for years. “We recycle wood fibers and post-consumer plastics to make a board that looks realistic,” says Gary McElyea, company spokesperson for TAMKO Building Products. It looks authentic because of the company’s proprietary compression molding process, giving the boards an authentic-looking wood grain and natural streaking. The decking doesn’t splinter or rot; there’s no staining or painting necessary; and if needed, power wash once a year to keep it clean.  

Fences, gates and retaining walls are other outdoor structures that frame a home and also convey a sense of privacy. They create separation between the front and back yards, leaving room for outdoor structures and living areas of their own, which can include a gazebo, outdoor kitchen, barbecue pit, fire pit, bar, flat-screen TV, swimming pool, sauna and hot tub. An arbor transitions guests or residents from the front yard to the back, acting as the gateway between the two spaces, making sure people don’t miss all sides of the home’s architecture and landscaping.