Create a Warm First Impression with Natural Beauty and Simple Upgrades
Spring is a time for new beginnings, and that includes giving your home a fresh, welcoming look from the outside in. Whether you’re thinking of listing your home this season or just want to create a more inviting space, curb appeal is key—and it doesn’t have to be complicated or costly.
This spring, I’m focusing on natural, simple updates that make a big impact. And if you received my newsletter, you’ll find a little inspiration tucked inside—your very own packet of “Feed the Bees” wildflower seeds. These aren’t just pretty flowers. They’re pollinator-friendly plants that help bees thrive—and they’re a perfect way to add charm and life to your yard.
Plant with a Purpose
Wildflowers add color, texture, and a sense of natural beauty that buyers (and neighbors!) notice. Consider planting your seed mix around your mailbox, near the walkway, or in porch planters. You’ll attract bees, butterflies, and a lot of good vibes.
Plus, a pollinator-friendly yard is more than just attractive—it’s environmentally thoughtful, and that message resonates with today’s homebuyers.
Refresh the Basics
Before you invest in new landscaping or decorative touches, start with the foundation—literally. Giving your home’s exterior a clean, polished look can dramatically improve its curb appeal without a major budget or renovation.
Here are a few simple ways to refresh the basics:
Power Wash Your Exterior: After a long Midwest winter, your siding, front porch, driveway, and walkways could use a good cleaning. A quick pressure wash can remove dirt, salt residue, and mildew, instantly brightening up your home’s appearance.
Clean the Windows: Sparkling windows make a big impact—both inside and out. Wipe down the glass, sills, and screens to let that beautiful spring light shine through and give your home a well-maintained look.
Fresh Paint Where It Counts: You don’t have to repaint your whole house to make it pop. Focus on high-impact areas like your front door, shutters, garage door, or trim. Choose a color that complements your home’s palette, or go bold with a rich navy or classic red door for a touch of personality.
Tidy Up the Lawn and Edging: Rake any leftover leaves, trim overgrown shrubs, and edge your lawn to give it clean, defined lines. Even if the grass hasn’t fully greened up yet, a neat yard signals to buyers that the home is cared for.
Replace Worn Fixtures and Hardware: Swap out dated or rusty house numbers, light fixtures, and mailbox hardware. These details may seem small, but together they create a more cohesive, welcoming feel.
These basic updates are affordable, manageable, and incredibly effective. They’re also the kind of improvements that buyers notice first—before they even step through the front door. A clean, cared-for exterior tells a story: that this home has been loved and is ready for its next chapter. And even if you’re not planning to sell, there’s nothing wrong with having the best-looking house on the block.
As a REALTOR® with BHHS Chicago, Daina Jacobson helps buyers and sellers navigate the Northern Lake County, Illinois, and Kenosha County, Wisconsin, real estate markets. Based in Wadsworth, Illinois, she is also a former interpreter fluent in American Sign Language. When she’s not assisting clients, Daina devotes time to animal rescue as one of the co-founders of Two Furs Rescue. Her love for nature extends beyond her rescue work—at home, she enjoys caring for her many pets including cats, a dog, chickens, and ducks and planting and preserving native plants and trees.