Important Exterior Features for Your Home’s Curb Appeal

First impressions matter big time. Even if you’ve invested thousands or millions of dollars into creating a lavish interior, if the outside of your home doesn’t look as good – it won’t matter. Only a limited number of people get to see the inside, while the exterior is displayed to thousands of eyes. No matter how much we want to believe that it’s the inside that counts, your home will always be judged the most by its appearance from the street. So, what do you want your house to say to those passing by? Here are some of the most important exterior features that influence how your home is perceived and tips on how to get them right.

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The Letterbox

In order to be visible and easily accessible to mailmen, the letterbox is an exterior feature that always has a prominent front position. As such, it’s crucial that your letterbox looks good and complements the overall style of your exterior. If your letterbox is old and worn-out (and many letterboxes are, as we tend to overlook their importance), then, you need to get yourself a nice replacement.

Luckily, there are unlimited designs to choose from – from sleek stainless steel to rich wooden letterboxes, so that everyone can easily find a piece to complete their exterior design puzzle. But it’s not only appearance you need to pay attention to when looking for a letterbox. There’s also durability you need to consider. The letterbox will be exposed to the harsh Australian elements 24/7, so finding a sturdy, weather-resistant model is crucial.

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Obviously, stainless steel letterboxes can resist everything the weather throws at them, but what about wooden letterboxes? Many homes can benefit from the warmth and traditional beauty of a timber letterbox, but is this a smart choice? Well, whether a wooden mailbox can withstand the outside conditions depends on the quality of the material it’s made of. That being said, you want to make sure you pick a model made of quality wood.

Accoya is a type of modified timber with properties that exceed the best hardwoods and treated woods. It’s resistant to everything from rain to snow, humidity, salty ocean air, UV rays and insects. This makes it the perfect option for coastal homes and locations with high humidity levels. In addition, wooden letter boxes also come in contemporary designs, so they can also fit in more modern settings too.

The Landscape

A neat front yard goes a long way for improving your home’s curb appeal. Especially a green, even lawn. To keep your lawn perfect, besides regularly mowing it and watering it daily, you also need to feed it with the right fertilizer . It’s recommended to give your lawn a healthy boost of fertilizer three times a year – early spring, the middle of summer and late autumn. If there are any stumps or tree roots that disturb the safety and appearance of your garden, make sure to consult professionals that can deal with them properly.

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The Lighting

When it comes to your home’s curb appeal during the night, it’s the lighting that will affect it the most. While lighting your home’s exterior may seem like an easy task, many homeowners make mistakes. Just take a stroll around your neighbourhood and you’ll notice badly illuminated front doors, walk paths and steps waiting to trip someone, or exteriors looking like they’re in the middle of Las Vegas.

You want to aim for a lighting scheme that’s somewhere in the middle of these two extremes. First of all, you need to arrange your lighting properly so that the parts of your outdoor space where there’s the most movement, such as the front porch, garage and walk paths are 100% visible. This can be achieved with motion-sensor spotlights or wall lights that turn on whenever a person is moving within their range. On the other hand, to highlight some of the best features of your landscape, consider installing LED garden lights.

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The Lounging Space

Your exterior should be an extension to your interior, don’t you agree? Creating a lounging space will allow you to make the most of your outdoor space when the weather is nice. To do so, you’ll need some furniture that can withstand all kinds of damage from the elements and look good at the same time. Opt for furniture made of sturdy, outdoor-friendly materials such as teak, rattan or wrought iron. These materials are resistant to water, corrosion, insects and UV exposure. On the other hand, make sure to avoid any furniture made of plastic, as this will make your outdoor space look cheap.

Of course, using your lounging space won’t feel enjoyable if that means sitting under the harsh sun. So, make sure that your outdoor lounge is located under some cool shade. If you have a large porch, deck or alfresco, you’re already settled. If that’s not the case, consider installing a gazebo or invest in a big enough umbrella that can keep you cool all summer long.