A home's exterior can often reveal a surprising amount about what's behind the front door, whether it's telegraphing that you're about to walk into a hot mess or into a welcoming, stylish abode. What's more, it's the first thing neighbors, friends, and even prospective buyers will judge a house by.
In other words: Don't blow the first impression. And to ensure that, start with the basics, like what's sitting outside. Messy yards are the first line of no-nos, says landscape designer Lisa Mierop of Mierop Design in Montclair, New Jersey. Bikes, skateboards, and any toys loitering out front should all be stowed. Next, cut the grass—regular lawn maintenance is a failproof way to present a tidy and cared-for property to the world. And it can be a relative piece of cake when you invest in a high-quality mower, like one from John Deere—which has the added benefit of increasing the overall health of your turf for continued long-term beauty, as well.
From a lush lawn to soft outdoor lights, we spoke to experts about the most important elements of a home's curb appeal—plus how to elevate yours. Read ahead for their top tips, and which John Deere products can help.
1. A Healthy Lawn
Anyone with a large lawn knows the role it can play in overall curb appeal, and John Deere's X350 lawn tractor with a 42-inch deck is a great way to achieve a professional look with minimal effort. Cutting grass to the proper height is the key, says landscaping artist and former TV host Chris Lambton—a snap with the X350, since it's easy to raise the machine's deck up and down to adjust the blade height. "During spring and fall, you typically want to cut to about two and a half to three inches," he notes—a height tall enough to protect the roots. During the warmer months, he continues, leave the grass a little longer, about three to three and a half inches, so "the ground doesn't dry out as quickly." Other handy features of the X350 include its four-wheel steering, rear collection attachment to gather cuttings, and comfortable high back seats.
A mower's deck is the cutting chamber that holds and operates the blades. The larger your property is, the larger deck you'll want, to minimize overall mowing time.
Additionally, you'll want to mow with a well-honed blade. "When the blade is sharp, it creates a nice clean cut so there's no ripping," says Lambton—crucial, since shredded grass blades can leave it vulnerable to disease. Both the X350 and John Deere's Z530M, with a 48-inch deck, have an incredible cut quality. The latter, larger machine boasts spacious legroom, foot pegs, adjustable seat positions, and two cup holders for maximum cruising comfort.
The Z530M is compatible with the John Deere MulchControl Kit. This mower deck quickly converts and disperses grass clippings, natural fertilizer that deposits valuable nutrients back into the soil to feed your lawn anew.
2. Natural Decor
Another matter of concern is an overly harsh vibe. "A lot of times you have so much exterior brick or other exterior material showing," says interior designer Connie Vernich of Vernich Interiors, in Nashville. "Adding an organic element like greenery can soften the entryway and make it feel welcoming." Evergreen shrubs like juniper or holly are perfect for creating structure and framing the architecture of your home, while seasonal and regional blooms never go out of style, adds Cate Singleton, a landscape designer with national firm Tilly Design.
As far as placement, Mierop suggests pushing the envelope creatively with planters, without worrying too much about symmetry. So instead of a single plant, she says, create visual interest with botanicals that vary in both size and color.
3. A Good Paint Job
"Paint absolutely transforms the look of a house," says interior designer Emily Barry, who along with her mother, Diane Schmunk, owns New York-and-Chicago-based design firm Rehabitat Interiors. And while you're at it, consider the trim. "You can have a beautiful house color, but if you have white trim, it actually looks a bit dated," says Barry. Her advice: Match the exterior trim to your house color for a fresh, chic look.
4. A Welcoming Door
If you can't swing an entire exterior paint job, simply giving the front door a makeover can add a fun pop of personality. "It's the eye candy of the space," says Heather Goerzen, director of content and design at Havenly, who recently gave her own dark brown front door a makeover. "Painting it blue dramatically changed the facade," she says. "It's so much more cozy and interesting now." Just as you would when painting the interior of a house, the first step here is to swatch colors you like. Pro tip: Evaluate your swatches at different times of the day to find the perfect shade.
5. Layered Lights
Don't stop at the fixture above your front door. Uplights, which wash the facade of your home with soft light, create warmth and give the exterior of any house great character, says Schmunk. Other ways to layer lighting: Add sconces over house numbers, illuminate walkways, and uplight trees as well as the home itself.
