Cincinnati is known for its classic homes, some with roots dating back to the late 1800s. Some are older row homes, while others are single-family bungalows from the mid-1900s or even Tudor revival homes from the early 1900s, though there are newer homes. No matter the age or style of your home, you can make some upgrades to enhance the curb appeal of your home, as noted by a Pacific Palisades interior designer.

Painting Looks Good and Is Cost-Efficient

Many homes in the Cincinnati area have aluminum siding. It’s highly cost-efficient, doesn’t require much maintenance, and resists moisture well. On average, it lasts for 40 years or longer. However, if yours is past its prime or is still in good shape but just dull from sun exposure and aging, a coat or two of paint could do it some good. In fact, other types of siding, such as vinyl, fiber cement, wood siding, or engineered wood, can be painted as well.

The paint gives your home a fresh appearance and even makes that old siding look a bit more like new. Make sure you choose paint that’s compatible with the type of siding you have and opt for one that can handle the erratic climate of the area, including its moisture, extreme temperature changes, and time with excessive sunlight. One prime example is 100% acrylic latex, which is suitable for aluminum, wood, and fiber cement. Keep in mind that if you have vinyl siding, you’ll need to find acrylic or other paint that’s especially designed for it.

If you’re going this route, try to choose a color similar to other homes in your neighborhood or opt for a modern one, such as gray.

Put on a New Roof

Depending on the material and age of your current roof, you may want to consider putting on a new one. If you have asphalt shingles, for instance, they only tend to last 15 to 30 years. Wood shakes/shingles last a little longer, but they still tend to only have a lifespan of 25 to 40 years.

You can possibly add between $10,000 and $20,000 to the resale value of your home, with the average homeowner seeing an increase of $12,000 to $15,000. On average, you’ll see a 60 to 70 percent return on the total cost of the roof you put on when you sell your home.

How much the roof adds specifically relates to the type of roofing you put on. For instance, clay tile, concrete, and metal last the longest, with clay or concrete possibly lasting up to 100 years or longer.

A Little Landscaping Can Go a Long Way

Even if you don’t have a large yard, you can still make some landscaping changes that enhance the overall appeal of your home. For instance, add a small flowerbed in the front. Fill it with flowers that complement the color of your home. To give you an idea… let’s say your home is light-colored. You want flowers that are bold and bright to stand out. Purple, red, or a deep pink or blue would look ideal. On the other hand, if your home is a dark color, choose yellow, light pink, or lavender to offset it.

If you have a path leading up to your home, illuminate it with LED or solar-powered lights. You could also place mulch along the sides to enhance its visual appeal. Not to mention, you’ll minimize yardwork for yourself in the process because mulch tends to keep weeds at bay.

Get a New Light Fixture

Your outdoor light fixture illuminates your entryway, making it easier for you and any visitors to see to get up to your house when it’s dark outside. When passersby look over, the light looks warm and inviting, elevating the ambiance of the outside of your home.

If you’ve had the same light fixture for some time, upgrade it to something more modern to add character. Don’t forget to opt for LED lights or a smart lighting system to do your part for the environment. You’ll use less energy as you’re adding lights.

With a smart lighting system, you can often automate your lighting schedule so you’re only using the light for a designated amount of time. You then won’t have to worry about turning it on or off or forgetting that you left it on all night.

Try a Smart Irrigation System

Holding the hose and watering your lawn is a pain, especially on a regular basis. And if you have a standard sprinkler system, it’s easy to forget about it, risking flooding the grass and using more water than you need.

A smart irrigation system takes care of all of these because it will automatically adjust watering based on the weather. If there’s a dry, hot spell, it compensates by watering more heavily than usual. On the days when Cincinnati has seen a great deal of rain, it won’t water as much or at all. Ultimately, you save money on your water bill and ensure your lawn looks green, healthy, and lush.

Switch to Frosted Glass Windows

Upgrading your windows can improve energy efficiency if you choose units with a higher U-factor, a higher solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), and a lower air leakage (AL) value. Choosing frosted windows can also boost the look of your home from the street. Frosted glass windows are versatile; you could choose from different patterns or gradients. No matter your choice, they tend to give a home a modern or minimalist appearance.  

On the inside, you’ll let natural light pass into the room but will minimize glare, which works with a variety of decors and in nearly any room of your home, including in your kitchen.

​These ideas can help your home look better on the outside, and some of them can even help with your impact on the environment. And with an option like frosted glass windows, you’re benefiting the interior and exterior of your home.