Dial up the wow factor with these small exterior upgrades

Whether you’re living in your forever home and want to show it off, or you’re getting your home ready for the auction block, now is a great time to make small upgrades with a big impact. Here’s how to do it.

Unlock a new look for your front door

A fresh coat of paint will inject new life into your front door. Image: GETTY

If your front door is looking more drab than fab, don’t stress. Simply set aside a few hours on a weekend, and your front door will be wowing your guests and neighbours in no time. Try these easy, DIY, and budget-friendly options.

Refresh with paint

Bright, sunshine yellow, muted ochre, or classic black. Whatever your choice of colour, a fresh coat of paint will inject new life into your front door. Ensure your chosen paint is weatherproof and appropriate for painting an external door.

Most hardware stores sell sample pots of paint, so you can test colour options before you commit. Sunshine and outdoor lighting can significantly impact how the paint appears, so a test patch is always a good idea.

💡Be sure to take a look throughout the day – between dawn and dusk. You’ll be surprised how much the colour can change depending on the light. It’s a good way to confirm you’ve picked the right colour and shade.

Elevate hardware

Upgrade your doorknob to a finish to suit your chosen paint colour. The options are almost endless, with traditional knobs, handles, and levers as well as contemporary smart locks available.

When selecting hardware, also consider how it complements the architecture of your home. For example, polished brass pairs beautifully with Federation or Edwardian style properties, while matte black or satin chrome finishes suit modern homes perfectly.

Ring in style with a statement knocker

Whether it’s the timeless elegance of an antique lion, the geometric charm of an art deco pull handle, or the chime of an old-fashioned bell, there’s a statement knocker to suit every style.

Upgrading your knocker is a simple yet striking way to add personality and pizzazz to your front door, while giving guests a memorable way to announce their arrival.

House numbers and letterbox upgrades

Update your kerb appeal with a fresh new house number. Image: GETTY

Much like new hardware and statement knockers, your house numbers and letterbox can greatly influence your home’s kerb appeal – either enhancing its charm or detracting from it. It can also impact how easily visitors can find your home or mailbox.

Upgrading your letterbox is particularly important if your current one has seen better days. You certainly don’t want parcels being ripped open by sharp or rusty edges, or creepy crawlies making their homes inside.

Here are some considerations:

• Do you receive high-value or confidential mail? If so, you may require a letterbox with a lock.
• If you receive larger parcels regularly, a larger letterbox to accommodate your packages may be best
• Are you a regular newspaper or magazine subscriber? Take a look at letterbox options with a newspaper tube
• Live near the coast? The salt in the air can lead to corrosion. Choose a non-rusting material for your letterbox and house letters.
• Will your house number be displayed on your letterbox, front door, or wall?
• Is your front facade exposed to the elements? If so, ensure you choose durable house numbers to withstand the weather and avoid rusting.

Outdoor lighting for ambience and security

Outdoor lighting serves two functions. It’s handy for when you’re fumbling with your keys as you try to unlock your front door in the dark, and it’s also an important security feature.

A motion-sensor light can alert you to someone approaching your front door, and can act as a deterrent for anyone hanging around your home who might be up to no good. Choose solar-powered or LED lights for added energy efficiency.

Consider lighting options like:

• Flood lights
• Path lights
• Wall sconces
• Accent lighting

There are plenty of DIY lighting options available, but if you’re considering installing wired lighting, you’ll need a licensed electrician to handle the job.

Low-cost landscaping

Low-growing edge plants are the perfect accompaniment for paths and fences to create a finished look. Image: GETTY

If your streetscape includes a front garden, trees, or edging, include these in your refresh plans. Regular mulching can prevent weed growth, provide nutrients, and help retain moisture, all of which will keep your front garden plants looking bright and healthy.

You don’t have to grow grass in your front garden, either. You can opt for ground-covering plants like native violet, snake vine or jasmine. These ground-covering alternatives are not only beautiful, they’ll attract pollinators and help with biodiversity, all while being low maintenance – no mowing required.

Revive your fence or front gate

A professional paint job brings back life to the front fence. Image: SUPPLIED

A fence or front gate provides your home with added security, but one that’s tipping over, broken, or rusting on its hinges can be an eyesore.

If your front fence or gate could use some attention, now’s the time to tackle it. Perhaps your fence just needs a fresh coat of paint – which is a fairly quick and easy job. Ensure you buy paint suitable for the material of your fence, throw on some overalls, and get painting.

If your fence is beyond repair, it may be time to replace it. While timber is a popular material choice for front yard fencing, metal is also highly-regarded due to its durability and modern look. Talk to an expert fence installer about your options.

Driveway and pathway clean-up/resurfacing

Driveways and pathways get a lot of use, so it’s only fair that they get the occasional refresh. Cracked or uneven driveways might need to be resurfaced, which is a far more cost-effective option than replacing the driveway entirely.

It’s also a great opportunity to change the look of your driveway, with stamped concrete, coloured concrete, or pebblecrete all being popular options. Concrete resurfacing is best left to a professional.

Take a close look at your pavers. Any cracked or uneven pavers in your garden pathway are not only an eyesore – they also pose a serious tripping hazard. Replace these where possible, or consider redoing your garden pathway entirely.

Stuck for ideas or need some inspo? No worries, a local landscaper can help transform your driveway.

Window and gutter cleaning

Clean windows brighten up the front of your home and enhance street appeal. Image: GETTY

Window and gutter cleaning may seem like the least glamorous way to enhance your home’s street appeal, but don’t underestimate how much sparkling clean windows and gutters can brighten your home’s overall look.

Think of it this way, all your hard work getting your streetscape lighting, foliage, and ambience right can be overshadowed if the gutters are overflowing with debris.

Not only will an overflowing gutter put a (literal) damper on your street appeal, but it’s a hazard, too. Overflowing gutters lead to water flowing down your home’s facade and water damage, and can easily become a home for birds and pests.

For dirt- and debris-free gutters, hire a local gutter cleaner – gutter cleaning is not only messy but can be tricky to do yourself if you’re not experienced.

Similarly, clean windows can make all the difference. You can typically wash your own windows, but if you feel unsafe on a ladder, it’s best to hire a professional window cleaner. They’ll ensure your windows are left streak-free and crystal clear.