As homeowners, we tend to focus on what’s inside, like beautiful kitchen cabinets, serene wall colors, and comfortable furnishings. But your home’s exterior is where you make your first impression. Sadly, most yards are ignored during the colder seasons. It’s time to change that, and give your yard the attention it deserves!

 

Whether you want to increase your home’s curb appeal for potential buyers or for yourself, doing so doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Simply focus on a few seasonal changes that will accommodate the holidays, shorter days, and cooler weather and you’ll have everyone taking a second glance when they pass by. Here are a few ways to add autumn curb appeal even when you’re on a budget:

Create a seasonal color scheme with cool-season flowers.

 

Landscaping doesn’t have to be a huge expense. By practicing good maintenance (regular raking and patching grass when needed), and switching things up a little with the season, your home’s exterior will look great all year long.

Every once in a while you will want to dive in a little deeper, and autumn is the perfect time to do so. Become more regular with raking, as falling leaves can accumulate fast, and take this time to replace summer plants with fall varieties.

Cooler temperatures can help your plants get a good start, which is why October is really an ideal time to plant some cool-season flowers. Grab a glass from your outdoor kitchen cabinets and pour yourself a cool drink because it’s time to start gardening. A few favorite flowers for autumn include vibrant mums, Peruvian lilies, pansies, and calendula.

 

Fall up your front door with a few little touches.

The front door is the focal point of the home, and an easy way to add some instant autumn curb appeal without spending a lot of money. Here are a few ways to welcome guests while also welcoming fall:

• Hang a wreath: Some fall wreaths can run you more than $100, but a little browsing on Etsy will show some more inexpensive options. If you’re up for the challenge, you can always take the budget savvy DIY route as well.
• Place some potted plants: Place a few colorful potted plants around your doorway. This is a quick and affordable way to spruce up your home’s entrance and make a lasting first impression.
• Paint your front door: Adding a fresh coat of paint in a deep red or burnt orange is a semi-permanent way to start off the season. The right paint color can completely transform the feel of your front porch and complement your outdoor autumn décor. It also makes your home more memorable if it’s on the market.

 

Amp up autumn with outdoor lighting.

No, it’s not time to take the Christmas lights out just yet! But it is a great time to increase outdoor lighting. Days will be shorter come November, and if your home looks dark and abandoned by 6PM, that’s anything but welcoming. Hang lanterns on your front porch to brighten up the entrance of your home, and add lights to illuminate any walkways from your driveway. This will make it easier for guests, or trick-or-treaters, to find their way.

How else do you get the exterior of your home ready for autumn? Do you arrange patio furniture for sitting around the fire pit? Stock your outdoor kitchen cabinets with fall favorites like hot cocoa and marshmallows? Let us know!

 

At The RTA Store we help make your dream kitchen a reality with RTA (Ready To Assemble) and Pre-Assembled kitchen cabinets, and accessories with the same (if not better) quality you would find at any retail store but for a fraction of the price. Stop by our website or give us a call and let us make your kitchen dreams come true with the help of our free kitchen design tool!