Whether you are trying to sell your home or you just want to improve how it looks, your front yard is the place to start. The curb appeal is important, especially when you are staging your home for potential buyers. It is the first thing people see and has a big impact on their initial impression of the home. Here are some easy tips you can do on your own to increase the curb appeal.

A Sickly Lawn

Although the effects will not be immediate, there are things you can do to make your lawn look healthy again. Use a fertilizer to help bring the green back to yellow and brown spots, but make sure you water the grass after adding fertilizer to help prevent nitrogen damage and avoid cutting your grass too low. For bare and thin spots, add some grass seed.

Neat Edges

Clean cut edges do wonders for a yard. Edging should be done around the driveway, stepping paths, landscaping borders, and sidewalks. In most cases, you can use your weed trimmer turned sideways if it can be turned that way, but you may need a special edge attachment or edge trimmer.

Clean Up the Yard

Be sure to remove any debris from the yard. This includes trash, twigs, leaves, and overgrowth. Areas of overgrowth, even if they sit along wooded areas, tend to make a yard appear unkempt. If you cannot completely remove the section of overgrowth, try to keep it cut as far back from the beginning boundary of your yard as possible.

Fresh Paint to Spruce Things Up

If it has been awhile, it is a good idea to paint your front door, shutters, and other pieces to freshen them up. Vinyl siding can be given a good wash with a pressure washer. A pressure washer can also be used to clean up driveways and sidewalks that may have become dull or dingy over time. Windows can also be washed, even if they do not appear to be dirty. A cleaned up look can actually appear to brighten your home and yard.

Using Plants

Plants add a splash of color and can even be used to create focal points. A small garden accenting a patio or walkway is a good idea. If you already have existing gardens, remove weeds regularly and add fresh mulch. Carefully placed potted plants can also be used as accents. Try not to go overboard. Too many flowers can make your yard appear cramped.

Add Lighting and a Mailbox Upgrade

Subtle outdoor lighting can create a warm welcoming look. During the night, a few well-placed lights can mark your driveway entry and path lighting can illuminate the walkway to your home. A new mailbox and post can add to the curb appeal of your home as well.

It does not take a whole lot to change how your front yard looks. Adding some simple things and making a few changed can go a long way. You do not have to spend a large amount of money or pay high landscaping fees. Increasing the curb appeal of your home is just a few steps away, without requiring a whole lot of effort.