First impressions matter, and when it comes to your home, that first impression is known as curb appeal. Curb appeal is the overall visual appeal of your home from the street, and it can play a big role in everything from your home’s resale value to how welcoming it feels to guests. Here are five ways to get started if you’re looking to improve your home’s curb appeal before the summer ends.

1. Landscape Your Yard

The first step to improving your home’s curb appeal is ensuring your lawn is in tip-top shape. This means regular mowing, trimming, and fertilizing throughout the summer months. If you have any bare patches, it is time to seed them so they can fill in before winter. Remember, apart from improving curb appeal, landscaping can also help increase the value of your home by up to 14%.

2. Give Your Front Door a Makeover

Your front door is one of the first things guests will see when they come to your home, so it’s important to ensure it looks its best. If your door is looking a little worse for wear, consider giving it a fresh coat of paint in a color that complements your home’s exterior. You can also add new hardware, like a new doorknob or door knocker, to give it an extra touch of style.

While at it, don’t forget about your garage door. After all, garage doors can take up as much as one-third of a home’s front face. Ensure you undertake all the necessary repairs and, if necessary, consider replacing it with a new one. This will go a long way in transforming your home’s look. Updating your front doors is a quick and easy way to boost your home’s curb appeal while also helping you save on energy costs since newer doors are usually better insulated.

3. Power Wash Your Home’s Exterior

If your home’s siding looks a little dingy, consider power washing it to give it a fresh start. Power washing can remove dirt, mildew, and other build-up that can make your home look old and worn. Just be sure to use the right setting on your power washer so you don’t damage your siding.

In addition to power washing your home’s exterior, you should also clean any outdoor furniture, like patio chairs and tables. This will help them look their best and extend their life. Pressure washing can also be used on concrete surfaces like driveways and sidewalks to remove any built-up dirt or stains. Cleaning your home’s exterior is a great way to improve its curb appeal, and it’s a project you can easily do yourself in a day or two.

4. Repaint or Restain Your Exterior

A fresh coat of paint or stain can make a world of a difference for your home’s curb appeal. When choosing colors, it’s important to consider both the style of your home and the colors of your surrounding neighborhood. You want your home to stand out, but you don’t want it to look out of place.

If you’re unsure where to start, take a drive around your neighborhood and note the colors you like best. You can also consult a local paint store or home improvement store for color recommendations. Once you’ve chosen your colors, be sure to prep your home’s exterior before painting or staining by power washing it and making any necessary repairs.

5. Remove Any Stumps or Debris

The final step to improving your home’s curb appeal is removing any stumps or debris cluttering your yard. For stumps, you can either dig them up yourself or hire a professional stump grinding company to do it for you. Removing a stump using stump grinding can be accomplished both below ground and above ground. The grind may go eight to 12 inches underground, allowing you to plant another shrub in the same location. As a parent, this not only makes your yard cleaner but also safer for your children.

As for debris, make sure to remove any dead leaves, branches, or other debris that may have accumulated in your yard over the winter. This will help your yard look neater and more well-kept. You can either bag it up and put it out on trash day or compost it if you have a compost bin.

By taking the time to improve your home’s curb appeal, you’ll not only make it more inviting for guests but also increase its value. These five easy tips can help you achieve the beautiful yard and home you’ve always wanted.