Whether you’re preparing to put your house on the market or just trying to improve the appearance of your home, curb appeal is very important.
The way your home looks upon first glance can completely change how you feel about it – and how visitors (or buyers) feel about it as well! If you’re interested in improving your ranch style home’s appearance, you’ve come to the right place.
Listed below are a few of the best curb appeal ideas for ranch style homes that you can use to give your house a facelift without breaking the bank.
Let’s get started!
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Clean to Create Curb Appeal
The first step of any home makeover project is to clean, clean, clean. Take a weekend and do everything you can to make your home’s exterior spotless. If you don’t have a power washer, your garden hose on a strong setting will do the trick.
Remove any cobwebs or clutter, then hose down the siding, as well as your porch, front door, driveway, and sidewalk. Once your home’s exterior is clean, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to improve upon.
Make the Porch Pop
A staple of ranch homes is the front porch. Regardless of your porch’s size, make it the focal point of your home’s exterior!
While you can do things like adding a pitched roof or extending its reach, unless your porch is falling apart, there’s no need for major changes or replacement. There are plenty of budget-friendly options to play up the porch.
First, assess the state of the paint. Or, if there isn’t any, consider painting to give the porch new life.
If you have any outdoor furniture, be sure it’s all in good condition. Donate or dispose of anything that’s seen better days and bring in some new pieces such as a porch bench or a small table.
Also, if your porch is lacking greenery, it’s time to add some plants! A few hanging or potted plants can do wonders for the appearance of your front porch. Not to mention, plants will improve how you feel in your outdoor space.
Brighten the Exterior with Paint
Even the most meticulously cared for homes need a new coat of paint every so often. And what better time to give your home a splash of paint than during a ranch house makeover?
If you do paint your home’s exterior, don’t solely focus on the siding. Take a look at your garage and front doors, as well as your window trim and shutters.
When repainting your garage door, it’s best to stick with a color similar to that of your home. But don’t be afraid to go bold with your front door! Painting your front door a bold red or yellow can add a refreshing pop of color to an otherwise neutral-toned home.
Though you can paint the smaller items yourself, it’s a good idea to call an exterior painting contractor if you plan to paint the entire house. The last thing you want to do it spend days repainting only to find that it looks less than spectacular when you’re finished.
Replace Hardware and Fixtures
Whether you’re updating your kitchen or the exterior of your home, replacing the hardware and fixtures is a great way to transform a space on the cheap.
Though you likely don’t have drawer pulls on the porch, you can replace your house numbers, your doorknob and knocker, and your light fixtures! You’ll be amazed by how big of a difference it makes, especially since changing everything out will only take about an hour.
Add Curves with Flower Beds
Though there’s a certain charm in the practicality of a ranch home, the plain horizontal lines and boxiness can be a bit boring. Making major changes to the exterior can be extremely expensive, but don’t worry, you can create plenty of visual interest through greenery!
To contrast and soften the harsh lines of a ranch style home, consider adding curved beds around the perimeter. The best part about plants is you can go as uniform or wild as you want.
If you want to plant a row of identical topiaries, go for it! Want to turn your garden beds into an explosion of color? You absolutely can!
Plant a mixture of flowers, shrubs, and grasses to add a variety of shapes and colors to your home’s exterior. Around your beds, lay attractive pavers, bricks, or decorative concrete to finish off your design.
Bring in Lighting
How’s the lighting on the exterior of your home? If you only have a porch light or two, it might be a good idea to bring in some new light fixtures.
There are two options with exterior lighting: uplight and moonlight. With uplighting, you install a light on the ground, then angle it upward to point at your home or a particularly beautiful tree in your yard. Moonlighting is the exact opposite; you place soft lighting in trees to give your pathways or lawn a natural glow.
When purchasing lighting, remember that cheaper doesn’t always mean better. If you invest in your fixtures, you’ll find that they last much longer in the elements.
Use These Curb Appeal Ideas for Ranch Style Homes to Improve Your House’s Appearance
By putting some of these curb appeal ideas for ranch style homes to use, you can improve the look of your home, making yourself the envy of the neighborhood!
Even if you aren’t putting your home on the market, you should make your home look its best for you. There’s no better feeling than coming home to a house that makes you happy just looking at it.
For more tips on boosting the look and feel of your home, be sure to take a look at our blog!
