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Enhancing the kerb appeal of your vintage home is more than a cosmetic upgrade. It is also an investment in both aesthetics and functionality. The visual charm your property exudes even before people approach it plays a pivotal role in elevating not just the appearance but the overall value of your home.
A well-presented exterior from your porch, doors, to external window furnishings not only captures attention but elevates the entire neighbourhood. Embrace the opportunity to improve your vintage home’s appeal in 2024 with these practical strategies.
1. Invest in Your Windows
Windows are the eyes of your home, commanding attention and adding a distinctive touch to your property’s kerb appeal. Beyond their visual allure, windows contribute to energy efficiency, making their update a practical investment for vintage homeowners.
If your property has dated or damaged windows, you may not be able to maximise this benefit, nor can you maintain a beautiful view of your house from the kerb. To remedy this, try:
- Window Customisation: Explore limitless options for new windows. Choose colours, glass types, grille styles, hardware finishes, and optional accessories to suit your vintage home’s character.
- A Quick Window Refresh: Install window furnishings for a swift transformation. Options like outdoor blinds or plantation shutters provide both style and function.
- Bold Window Treatments: Elevate kerb appeal with vibrant window treatments. Bold hues add an instant visual impact and are ideal for brightening homes with white or grey exteriors or enhancing contemporary styles.
2. Refresh Your Front Door
Because the front door is more than an entry point, refreshing its appearance is a critical step in updating your vintage home. This is a statement piece that sets the tone for your entire property, so you must ensure it complements your property’s style.
If you’re not sure how to do this, consider the following strategies:
- Vibrant Makeover: A fresh coat of paint can work wonders for solid wood doors. Choose a bold shade like bottle green or claret red to give your home an instant facelift.
- Glossy Finish: Experiment with a polished finish to make your door stand out. This adds a touch of sophistication to the entrance of your home.
- New Door Accessories: Enhance the overall look of your door by upgrading some of the accessories. Consider a new letterbox, a smart knocker, a stylish handle, and a modern door number for that modern yet aesthetically pleasing look.
With these simple yet impactful strategies, you can revitalise your home’s appearance while making a lasting impression on anyone approaching your property.
3. Smarten Up Your Walls
The state of a house’s walls significantly influences the immediate and lasting impression the property leaves anyone who beholds it. In contrast, well-maintained walls both do your property justice and contribute to its value in the long run.
Consider subtle yet impactful strategies, such as repointing bricks where needed, removing inherited pebbledash for a clean look, and experimenting with cladding or smooth painted render for a contemporary touch. These improvements add a timeless elegance to your vintage home.
4. Enhance Your Porch
Porches are quintessential in Australian homes, offering inviting spaces for relaxation and socialisation. Because of this, homeowners – especially those living in older structures – need to maintain and enhance their porches periodically through:
- Deep Cleaning: Initiate the enhancement process with meticulous porch cleaning. Don’t forget to address issues like cracked cement and rotted wood as soon as you spot them.
- Thoughtful Furniture Setup: Thoughtfully arrange outdoor furniture, ensuring a balance between functionality and aesthetics for an updated and inviting atmosphere. Be sure to invest in quality.
- Porch Expansion: Explore porch expansion options for increased value if your space and budget allow.
- Colourful Accents: Infuse vibrant hues through colourful planters and blooming plants to add a touch of life to your porch.
5. Do Some Pathway Cleaning
Safety and aesthetics go hand in hand when it comes to your vintage home’s pathways. Ensure a clear and even pathway for both visual appeal and the well-being of residents and visitors.
To start, follow these cleaning instructions:
- Evaluate for Safety: Examine pathways for potential hazards such as cracks, uneven surfaces, or overgrown weeds that can lead to accidents.
- Power Washing: Use a power washer on driveways and walkways to remove dirt, moss, and dislodged rock.
- Post-Cleaning Inspection: After surfaces dry, reinspect for moss issues, displaced rocks, or any new cracks.
While this may seem straightforward enough, you may still need help from professionals to ensure a job well done. It also pays to invest time and effort learning about the best way to update and maintain your pathway.
6. Manage Your Landscaping
A well-maintained landscape speaks volumes about homeownership. Plus, landscaping guides the viewer’s eye towards the most appealing features of your vintage home, making it a crucial step in revitalising kerb appeal.
Keep lawns and shrubs well-manicured to show how well you care for your home. Utilise leading lines in landscaping to enhance the architectural details.
For pensioners, low-maintenance landscaping ensures a beautiful exterior without excessive effort, offering an attractive and easily manageable outdoor space.
7. Add a Fresh Coat of Paint
The most popular way of refreshing a house’s exterior is with a new coat of paint. If you’re planning to do the same for your family home, keep these tips in mind for aesthetically pleasing results:
- Colour Harmony: Pick hues that match your surroundings to amplify your home’s architectural features.
- Neutral Tones: When in doubt, go for neutral paint. This tip is particularly useful if you’re planning to sell your home. To get broad buyer appeal, choose whites, off-whites, sandy tones, and buffs.
- Matching Windows and Doors: Coordinate window and door colours with the style and location of your home.
- Environment Inspiration: Draw inspiration from your surroundings. For example, if you live in a coastal area, you may be inspired to paint your home shades of light blue or green.
Elevate the Charm of Your Home
Transform your vintage home with these simple strategies, enhancing both aesthetics and value. From refreshed front doors to landscaped yards and a fresh coat of paint, embrace the revitalisation journey. Elevate your home’s kerb appeal, leaving a lasting impression on every visitor.
