You’ve probably heard the expression: ‘You don’t get a second chance at a first impression’.
And it’s rarely more relevant than hosting a house viewing.
This is why kerb appeal matters. Done right, it can bump up your property value by thousands.
Done wrong, it can undo all your other efforts and make it a wasted viewing. You don’t want to find yourself in the latter scenario.
Luckily, the outcome is completely in your control.
Always put your best foot forwards
It doesn’t matter how much we try to deny it… humans make snap decisions and judgements. It’s in our nature, and it’s impossible to turn off.
A 2023 study by Thumbtack found that nearly every homeowner believes kerb appeal matters.
And more than 8 in 10 said landscaping alone is the single most noticeable improvement a property can make.
But kerb appeal isn’t just about tidiness.
It’s also about emotion.
The best homes make people feel calm and optimistic before they’ve even crossed the threshold.
Research by design platform Resi found that certain elements directly boost our sense of wellbeing, such as:
- Natural light
- Greenery
- Good ventilation
- Soft, welcoming colours.
Buyers will pick up on this -whether they realise it or not.
Colour
So, when you’re choosing the colour for your front door or brick paint, you should not just make it up and hope for the best.
Think about what feeling your house gives off – and match this with the compatible colour.
Pastel colours often say relaxed and happy, while strong reds or oranges mean you’ll stand out on the street.
The art (or not) of staging your home
House staging goes hand-in-hand with kerb appeal.
And believe it or not, at the high end of the market, it’s a multimillion-pound industry.
Staging and storytelling
One of the most well-known high-end stagers is Cheryl Eisen. She is revered for transforming New York penthouses – and her key message is that you should treat staging like storytelling.
It’s about a bit more than just plumping cushions!
It’s about creating a fantasy that helps buyers picture a dream life inside the four walls.
West London trends
In London’s most expensive areas, such as Chelsea, Knightsbridge, and Marylebone, staging has become an art form.
Designers rent furniture, art and even plants by the truckload. The mission is to make buyers believe this is the life they deserve.
Sotheby’s has reported that the tiniest tweaks – like moving a lamp or changing a rug – can impact a property’s value by tens of thousands.
Costs
When the price tag is hovering around £3 million, that’s serious money.
But you don’t need to have extortionate budgets or asking prices to learn from this. Staging isn’t vanity – it’s marketing, and your house is product.
You’re competing for attention in a hugely competitive area, so every little detail helps.
And most of importantly, you should never assume that your taste is universal. Buyers don’t want to see your personality in the house.
Aim for a blank canvas, not a personal scrapbook.
Photograph like a professional (or at least pay for one!)
Kerb appeal is a huge part of the battle to sell your house – but it’s not the only one.
Most potential buyers first come across your home online. Professional property photographers will tell you that lighting and angles can make or break a listing.
It’s not about the camera, but the technique of the person using it.
In short: good photography is your first viewing, and it’s a huge part of your overall kerb appeal. Make it work in your favour.
Let us explain…
Flambient photography
Experts such as Ben Harvey encourage you to use something known as ‘flambient’ photography, which blends flash and ambient light to create a natural (but still vivid) image.
It avoids those dull, flat shots you see on Rightmove that make a £600,000 house look like a bedsit.
Natural light
Good property photography relies on simple principles. You must work with natural light rather than against it.
And always try to shoot when it’s bright, but not blinding, if possible. Overcast skies often look gorgeous because they soften shadows.
Vertical lines & good lenses
Every vertical line must be truly vertical – nothing screams amateur louder than slanted walls.
Don’t over-rely on wide-angle lenses either. They can easily warp your room and make it feel unnatural.
Prepare before you shoot
And always, always, always prepare the space before you take the shot: straighten furniture, clear surfaces, and hide your ten-year-old phone chargers.
Exterior
Exterior photos are just as critical. If your outside shots are grey and gloomy, buyers will scroll past without a second glance.
It doesn’t matter what the inside of your house looks like, because the viewers won’t get that far!
Choose a sunny day if possible, or have your photographer subtly edit the sky to lift the mood.
A study by Zillow found that homes listed in May tend to sell faster and for slightly more money than at any other time of year.
Gardens are greener, light is flattering, and everyone’s dreaming of a summer move.
A beginner’s guide to kerb appeal
You don’t need a huge budget to improve your kerb appeal.
Cover the basics
To start with, focus on the basics. Fix anything that’s clearly broken. And then move onto the tired features, such as cracks in the steps or peeling paint.
If a gutter has collapsed, then you should probably get it sorted!
A freshly painted front door, particularly in a warm-toned shade, can transform a property’s personality.
Avoid white
If you’ve ever been tempted by a brilliant white, though, you should stay away – that colour belongs on paper for your printer, not brickwork.
Adding a touch of green
Adding greenery always helps. Real plants, such as a pot of lavender or a small olive tree, give life and freshness that fake flowers don’t.
Hardware
You might even want to put some hardware on your front door, like a house number, door knocker, or wreath.
These small changes make a bigger difference than you’d expect.
Consider the wider environment
And remember that your surroundings matter too. If your neighbour’s garden is overgrown, it will drag your home down with it.
A friendly conversation (or even an offer to help tidy the shared boundary) can be worth hundreds or thousands in the offer you receive.
Freshness matters
Kerb appeal isn’t about perfection – it’s just about freshness. Buyers want to feel that a home has been loved and looked after.
Don’t give the impression of a homeowner who couldn’t be bothered.
How do the best in the business stage their homes?
At the luxury end of the market, kerb appeal is practically a West End production.
When Cheryl Eisenwas profiled by The New York Times, she was described as part designer, part psychologist and part showman.
In London’s high-value postcodes, staging companies treat the exterior as part of the brand.
On a £5 million townhouse in Mayfair, stylists’ work might include any of the following:
- Replace flower boxes every week
- Move cars for photoshoots
- Hire street cleaners to sweep the pavement outside
It may sound over the top, but the return can be extraordinary, if you watch your costs carefully.
For every pound spent on visual polish, dozens can be added in perceived value. You just need to be clever with your decision-making.
The takeaway is simple: every detail counts.
When buyers see that you care about the outside, they assume that the same attention is given inside. And this is crucial, because in property perception is everything.
The weather can be your best friend… or your worst enemy
Kerb appeal isn’t static. It changes throughout the year, and you may want to do a bit of research on the latest trends, if you’re trying to appeal to younger buyers.
Spring and early summer are the golden months for house stagging.
Your front garden will look stunning, the skies are bright, and buyers are highly motivated. Paintwork gleams in the sunlight and your photos will look superb.
Autumn needs a slightly different kind of care. The goal is to create warmth. Make sure you have a tidy path, a subtle wreath, and a few plants by the door. You’re selling cosiness as much as space.
Winter often creates the biggest challenge. Leaves fall and gutters clog, so you need to keep regularly cleaning.
You may also want to host viewings during the day, since all the light disappears by 4 o’clock. Even a simple lamp can make your house look inviting against the gloom.
Does kerb appeal really work?
Kerb appeal is ultimately about trust. When a house looks cared for on the outside, buyers assume it has been cared for on the inside.
So, yes – it really does work!
A spotless front garden suggests a reliable boiler. Fresh paint makes people assume that there’s a healthy roof.
It’s irrational, but it’s powerful.
Psychologists call it the halo effect: when one positive trait leads people to assume that everything else must be positive, too.
That’s why estate agents obsess over first impressions.
They know most buyers have made up their minds before they’ve even finished the tour. A well-presented exterior will set the tone and make your estate agent’s life so much easier.
And, most importantly of all – you’ll get an outstanding offer in a quick timeframe.
What’s not to love?
