Entry and Stairway Curb Appeal

One of the hardest places to add curb appeal to your home is an entry landing or stairs. When designing a smaller area its all to easy to try to do too many things all at once and prevent it from showing its true potential. Here are a few ideas that can help you on your way.

First is possibly the most obvious, clear out any unnecessary clutter. Even if you have the most brilliantly planned and designed entry, it will go unnoticed if there it a load of unneeded items to distract from the overall impact. Let your design have a chance to shine.

Next thing you'll need is a plan. Look through magazines, drive around your neighborhood, and look for styles that will fit in with your house as well as your neighbors. Focus on what elements you like from them and think how you can put those together into a plan that works together. Don't forget to make it reflect you. Don't just take a design and recreate it, make it your own. Add some of your own personality, show who you are.

Add some fresh paint to the railings, decking, and trim. Simple things like new paint and trim are some of the easiest and least expensive ways to add curb appeal. Don't be afraid of color, either. You don't have to use bright, bold colors to make a bold statement. Colors like brick red, peach, and slate blue are muted enough to fit with most styles, but make sure that they look good with the rest of your house, of course.

Freshen up your front door. This may sound a bit mundane, but your front door has a big impact on visitors. Consider a new color or even an entirely new door or style. A bold color, like red, on your front door will really make it stand out, but bright white or black can also be good choices.

Update the lighting. A poorly lit entry is just not inviting and also not safe. There are countless options for outdoor lighting. You could use up-lights or a motion sensor, a wall mounted unit or even a hanging lantern. Solar lights that are charged during the sunny part of the day are a great way to a save some energy costs as well. Find one that you like that fits the overall design of your house.

If there is adequate room, create a seating area. A bench or small table and chairs will add to the inviting feel of an entry and well as give a place to enjoy the outdoors. It also adds a place to take off muddy boots or shoes if you want to avoid tracking into the house.

Place some planters around. Again, the options are near limitless. The key here is to create variety while still making everything look like it belongs. Think about the size, shape. style, and color of the planter and the plants. Use different types of plants that bloom at different times. Different kinds and even colors of foliage will also create variety and add interest. Shelving or plant stands can be used to add different heights as well.

Remember to consider all seasons. Don't just think about how it will look in the spring and summer with a bunch of flowers around and bright sunshine. What will it look like in the winter when most the plants are gone? Use evergreens and architectural items, like pots, benches, statues, and even wind chimes, to add interest when most plants are dormant.

Be flexible as you are working. Things may not work quite they way you though they would. It happens to the most experienced and professional designers so don't get upset if it happens to you. Decide what you can do to make it work and change your plan. Just because you have a plan doesn't mean you must stick to it even if its not going to work out.

Lastly, don't forget to have fun. Enjoy the process of planning and creating a nice design and it will show in the final product. So go out there and be creative. Let your entry be a reflection of you, your family, your house and your neighborhood while adding curb appeal to your home.