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Overgrown Lawns
Overgrown lawns instantly mar any landscape, but pulling weeds is a tedious job that never feels finished. Instead of constantly toiling over a unruly yard, focus on maintaining edges alongside driveways and walkways. The clean corners will give an overall impression of crispness and cleanliness.
Decrepit Decorations
Decorative lawn ornaments bring a personal touch to any yard—until they start deteriorating from wind, rain, and other weather elements. Clear away unkempt or unwanted items for a tidier landscape.
Bad Lighting
Your house should look equally impressive during the daytime and nighttime. Avoid exterior lighting that’s too dim, bright, or foreboding. Also, choose lights with shades that beam downwards to create brightness exactly where you need it: on the walkways and landscaping.
Related: 8 Budget Buys to Bring Indoor Comfort to Outdoor Living
Shoddy Garage Door
There’s no getting around it: all garage doors suffer wear and tear over time. Thankfully, painting your garage door is an easy weekend project that can instantly improve your facade.
Ugly Garbage Cans
Most homeowners don’t think twice about their outdoor garbage cans and recycling bins, but these items can sully an otherwise stellar yard. Consider an easy fix—like adding a small fence to your designated bin area—to hide them from sight.
Related: 9 Ways to Crank Up Curb Appeal with Nothing But Paint
Dirty Windows
Dirty windows affect how your neighbors see your home—and also how you see your neighbors. Deep clean windows twice a year to ensure they’re always clear and sparkling.
Dying Trees
Vegetation is a key element of curb appeal. Inspect the health of your trees and shrubs regularly, trimming anything that’s overgrown. You should also remove dying branches ASAP; they’re a safety hazard during storms and winds.
Related: 10 Fast-Growing Plants for (Almost) Instant Curb Appeal
Unkempt Birdbaths
Many homeowners love sharing their yard with robins, blue jays, and other birds. But birdbaths with standing water breed mosquitoes, and seeded feeders are usually accompanied by a scattering of bird droppings. Clean these items regularly, or get rid of them if you don’t want to worry about maintenance.
Related: 14 Insanely Easy Curb Appeal Projects You Can Do in a Day
Clogged Gutters
Rain gutters must withstand severe weather and accumulated gunk, so they typically droop, bend, or loosen over time. Since neglected gutters lead to structural damage and ice dams, make sure to clear them at least twice a year, preferably in early spring and late fall.
Unsightly Front Door
The front door is the focal point of every home exterior. Guarantee a positive first impression by repairing peeling paint, swapping dated hardware, and considering decorative elements like wreaths and potted plants.
Related: Welcome Home: 11 Fresh Ways to Spruce Up Your Front Door
Make It Nice
No matter what’s killing your curb appeal, there’s a way to turn it around. Some projects won’t even take you a whole day.