The appearance of your house exterior can have a huge impact on its value, and gives that all important first impression to both visitors and passers-by.
MORE: DIY house projects that could lose you money
But if your home is seriously lacking in kerb appeal, there are lots of surprisingly simple things you can do to improve its appearance, including easy DIY projects that could make a big impact. Here are nine genius house exterior design ideas to get you started…
Take care of your lawn
© Photo: iStockIf you're lucky enough to have a front garden, staying on top of mowing the lawn and removing weeds will have a big impact on keeping your home looking tidy and inviting.
READ: The simple gardening hack that could add £27k to your home's value
Don't delay repairs
If you've been putting off doing simple repairs to the exterior of your home, such as chipped paintwork, cosmetic cracks and slipped or broken tiles, now's the time to get them fixed. These jobs are likely much easier to do than you may think, and will transform the aesthetic of your house.
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Scrub up the exterior
It’s surprising what a bit of cleaning and maintenance can do. Get your windows washed and your guttering cleared to make one big step towards a picture-perfect house.
Regular maintenance to keep your house clean is recommended
Add some greenery
You may not want the upkeep of grass at the front of your house, but some pot plants, a small flowerbed or even a few window boxes should do the trick to bring a bit of life to the front of your property.
Mix hanging basket, £16, Homebase
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Add a seasonal wreath
A super cute addition to any home, placing a wreath on your front door will instantly give it a facelift. Christmas is of course a good time to get into wreaths, but we’ve seen some cracking autumnal ones too!
Paint your windows and doors
Replacing things like windows and doors can be a huge expense, but did you know that UPVC can be painted? You can get specialist spray painters in to transform your home, or you can tackle the job yourself. Just be sure to get an exterior paint that is suitable for UPVC as many other paints just won’t stick. Frenchic Brand Ambassador, Craig Phillips advises: "Lightly sanding the door using medium sandpaper to help the paint adhere to the plastic surface."
Apple of my eye UPVC paint, £19.95, Frenchic
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Consider adding lighting
As well as being a great security feature, exterior lights help your home look cosy and welcoming. Solar lanterns are really popular now and don’t require any wiring in!
Two solar wall lanterns, £23.98, Amazon
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Get new numbers
If the numbers on your front door have seen better days, why not treat yourself to a new set? It is surprising what a small change can have - and we bet your postie will notice.
READ: Best IKEA hacks you need in your life
Upgrade your hardware
Not all houses are made equal, and you can make yours stand out on the street with a fabulous statement knocker. We love the selection from Gipsy Hill Hardware – especially the love heart padlock one!
Heart padlock knocker, £159 Gipsy Hill Hardware
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