The front of your house is the first thing everyone sees when they come to visit, and it’s the first thing you see when you come home, so it’s only natural that you want it to be as nice as possible! They say that you only have 10 seconds to make a good impression on people – the same goes for your house. The term coined for how attractive your house appears from the outside is called kerb appeal.
At SL Wrought Iron, we specialise in manufacturing handcrafted metal gates and railings, and we’ve been helping our customers up their kerb appeal for many years, so we know what goes into making the front of your home stand out. So, if you’re on a mission to improve your kerb appeal, here are four things you can do to up the ante.
Keep your driveway clean
Your driveway takes up a significant portion of the front of your property, so if it’s a little lacklustre, it’ll draw attention. You’d be surprised at just how much a clean driveway can transform the look of the whole front of your house!
More often than not, your driveway is the first introduction people get to your home, and it will give them an idea of what to expect when they cross the threshold of your front door. An easy way to keep your flagstones sparkling is to use a pressure washer to remove any moss or stains – it won’t take you long. (Just make sure the pressure isn’t too high so you don’t damage the stone!) Finish off your drive with a nice doormat, and the whole outside of your house will feel much brighter.
Freshen up your external walls and front door
When we say exterior, we mean the walls, windows, roof, and everything else on show. It might sound like a laborious job, but if you’re able to properly keep on top of it, you won’t have to do it often. Think about it the same way you think about giving your interior spruce up every so often! Giving your windows a good wipe down and ensuring your windowsills and the frames are squeaky clean is an ideal place to start (that’s if you don’t have a window cleaner).
If your brickwork needs it, give it a good scrub. Or maybe your home is painted and could use a fresh layer. Then, take a look at cleaning your gutters and ensuring your roof is intact and free from damage. They might sound like slightly gruelling tasks, but they go a long way in ensuring your home’s exterior stays in top condition; plus, once they’re done, they’re done for a while, and they really will make a huge difference. Lastly, make sure your door always looks inviting; it could be a simple wipe down every so often, and you could even add a decorative element like a wreath for a bit of extra visual interest. Remember, it’s all about first impressions!
Hide the bins
This one goes without saying. Bins. We all have them, we all use them, but that doesn’t mean they need to be on show 24/7 – especially at the front of the house. Keeping your bins tucked away out of sight can make a huge difference in maintaining your home’s kerb appeal.
You don’t have to banish them to the back garden either; there are plenty of creative ways to conceal your wheelie bins these days, like bin stores or designated areas at the side of the house hidden out of sight behind trees or bushes. This creates a cleaner, more organised appearance, and prevents your front garden or driveway from feeling cluttered, allowing the true beauty of your home’s exterior to shine through.
Invest in some stunning wrought iron gates and railings
We couldn’t write a blog about making the front of your house as beautiful as possible and not include this one! Wrought iron gates and railings are a standout way to boost your home’s kerb appeal. They offer you both timeless beauty and unmatched durability. Handcrafted right here in Lancashire by expert artisans in our factory, our gates and railings are built to last at least 70 years when galvanised, and come with a 10-year guarantee for your peace of mind.
The elegant design enhances any architectural style, whether traditional or contemporary, making them a versatile choice for any home. They can even make your home more attractive to potential buyers if you plan to sell it in the future.
And if you’re not planning on selling any time soon, these gates provide a set-and-forget solution for home security, combining practicality with stunning aesthetics. With options for bespoke customisation, often at no extra cost, you can choose a design style from our stunning ranges that perfectly complements your home.
And speaking of wrought iron gates and railings, if they sound like the perfect addition to your home, then look no further! We have a stunning selection of handcrafted modern and traditional style ranges to choose from, encompassing everything from Wilpshire and Chatburn to Longridge and Barnoldswick. Why not take a look around and see what takes your fancy?
