Maximize Your Curb Appeal

Make it flow.
Developing curb appeal does not begin or end at the front door. Features should start at the curb and flow to the entry, inviting guests to your home. Plant more greenery, utilizing low-maintenance, native, and drought-resistant plants. Also focus on plants that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Kimberly Varner, ASID, NCIDQ, Kimberly Varner Interior Design

Pick rich accents.
A well-appointed exterior color scheme sets the tone for your curb appeal. Take the time to select colors that are classic and well-suited to your surroundings. Pull it all together with rich accent colors on your shutters, front door, and other architectural details. Don’t be afraid to paint or apply masonry treatments to your brick to really bring the exterior to life!

Ashley Stinson, Broadleaf Residential, Inc.

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Choose hip and punchy florals.
Spring in the South means curb appeal galore, and to me that means seasonal color! For something hip and punchy, pair brightly colored annuals like calibrachoa or lantana with large blooming tropicals like bright red mandevilla vine. If you love a more classic look, combine graceful dragon wing begonias or geraniums with English ivy for a touch of Southern charm.

Donna Dent, The Barn Nursery

Design your outdoor canvas.
Curb appeal is your first impression! Don’t you hope it reflects what you love, your personality, and your favorite things? Personalize your outdoor spaces. Use favorite colors, sculptures, window boxes, fountains, benches, family accessories, and unique plant material to set the tone. Think of your plant material as natural pieces of art and design your landscape as a canvas. Also, curb appeal is enhanced by connecting with nature. A climbing vine on your home, porch, or pergola is perfect.

Sue Chamberlain, The Barn Nursery

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Start with a clean slate.
Pressure washing and cleaning the mold and mildew from the home is the first step. You would be surprised at just how dirty the outside surface of a home can get. Then freshen the paint. Add a pop of color by painting the door a bold color or change out the hardware on the front door. Freshening up your mulch and keeping your yard well maintained can make a huge difference as well.

Steve Ward, Sun Construction

Go for perennials and annuals.
Well-maintained lawns peppered with manicured evergreen shrubs and trees look great all year round, but there is no better way to make your home hospitable than to use perennials and annuals to ramp up your curb appeal. Add pizzazz to your entrance by placing an attractive container filled with seasonal flowers on your sidewalk, group several small containers on your porch, or have two containers framing your door. Annuals planted in the spring are inexpensive and bloom in our area for six to seven months until frost. Select plants with different foliage texture and complementary colors to add interest.

Kat McGraw, Ooltewah Nursery & Landscape Co., Inc

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Spruce up textiles.
Make a quick and easy change to existing patio furniture by updating cushions or adding an umbrella. Neutral colors in your main cushions or umbrella allow one to accessorize with fun colors and patterns in pillows and accents. If you’re looking to add something to an existing space, consider a fun bench or bistro seating.

Matthew Smisson, The Patio Shop

Use bold accessories.
I love a brightly painted door with an oversized (and unique) knocker or other interesting hardware. We bought a really beautiful brass door knocker on a trip to Tangier, Morocco – not only is it a statement piece, it also has a great memory attached to it! A brightly painted door is always eye-catching, but I only do this when the rest of the house is painted neutral colors like whites, and/or grays. That way you get a bold pop of color in an otherwise understated color palette.

Michelle Workman, Michelle Workman Interiors

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