7 Smart Garage Fixes That Add Instant Curb Appeal

The garage takes up a big portion of the home’s exterior, so it can significantly influence your home’s curb appeal and overall value. 

If you’re noticing that your current garage is getting outdated and damaged, consider making these upgrades and fixes to make your curb appeal better and your property value higher!

Upgrade and Modernize Garage Doors

First, and the most effective change you can make is replacing old and worn-out garage doors with a more sleek and modern ones. You can choose from diverse options, like full-view aluminum doors with frosted or clear glass, minimalist flush-panel doors, or maybe classic carriage-style doors with wood finishes.

Many of these newer garage doors also come with better insulation and help regulate temperatures all year, and improve energy efficiency. Durability is also an important feature, so choose materials like steel, fiberglass, and engineered composite. An additional feature that’ll add to convenience and security is smart doors, which you can integrate with your smart home system.

To ensure your garage operates efficiently, install a smart system on its door. Ensure the door itself is functional before committing to any upgrades, and if any fixes are required, sort them first. 

If I were looking for garage door repair near me, I’d simply check the internet for any local contractors so that the repair/installation gets sorted ASAP. If a quick internet search doesn’t yield desired results, you can also consult platforms such as Yelp or the Yellow Pages to acquire more options.

Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint

If you’re looking for just a quick and cheap way to improve the curb appeal of your home, painting your garage doors is the go-to option for many homeowners. Just make sure the color complements the color of your house, front door, or siding. 

If you’re looking for a bolder look, play with colors like navy, olive green, or dramatic black. For a more minimal and timeless look, go with neutral tones (white, gray, beige).

Make sure you use paints and stains specifically made for exterior painting, like acrylic paint, and weatherproof oil-based stains. They are made to endure sun, rain, and changes in temperature, so your pants stay fresh for longer. 

Add Decorative Hardware

Sometimes even the smallest changes make all the difference. Adding handles, hinges, or decorative bolts can spruce up plain-looking doors. Just like paint, make sure it matches your existing home’s exterior. Most hardware additions are magnetic or easily screwed on. Recently, black matte finishes are most popular and go great with most colors.

This is an easy and cheap upgrade done in a few hours that will surprisingly have a bigger visual payoff than you think!

Set Up Exterior Lighting

Proper lighting adds to the safety and functionality of your garage and curb appeal. Here are some options you can choose from: 

Wall-mounted scones – Adding scones on both sides of the garage doors creates a welcoming and balanced look.

Up-lighting – Lights that are at ground level are great for highlighting architectural details of a home, landscaping, and adding visual appeal. 

LED strip lighting – These are a great energy-efficient option. Place them along the driveway or under eaves for a sleeker look and better visibility.

Motion-activated lights – They turn on automatically when they detect movement. They are a great energy-saving option and add to security. 

Smart lighting systems – These are integrated with your smart home technology and allow you to schedule when the lights turn on/off, adjust brightness, and control it remotely.

Replace Weather Stripping

This step doesn’t add that much to a visual appeal, but it’s a smart fix. Worn-out weather stripping looks bad, but also causes drafts, moisture intrusion, and insect problems. Replace old seals with new vinyl or rubber strips and keep your garage dry and energy bills low! 

Also, check for any cracked and brittle rubber at your garage threshold and replace it if necessary. 

Upgrade the Driveway Border and Landscaping

Don’t fixate on garage doors only! Give an extra effort, and upgrade the surroundings. Add stone or brick pavers along your driveway for more structure and to protect landscaping from tires. Our advice is to use dark pavers along a lighter driveway for a sleek and modern look.

Also, landscaping the area around the garage will add to the curb appeal of your home. Using different plants, flowers, decorative stones, and fixtures will brighten the space and add natural colors that make the transition from the driveway to the garage more aesthetically pleasing. 

Do Routine Maintenance and Repairs

All the upgrades to the side, it’s important to do regular check-ups and maintenance tweaks because no one wants a garage that doesn’t function properly. 

Pay attention to these tasks:

Lubricate hinges and tracks – Add quality garage door lubricant to moving parts of your garage doors every six months so they open/close smoothly. 

Inspect weather stripping – As mentioned earlier, damaged and old seals let in moisture, draft, and pests. To avoid this, remove them annually.

Test sensors – Click the ‘close’ button on the door and wave an object under the beam. If the doors don’t reverse instantly, clean and realign the sensors.

Clean tracks and rollers – Clean the dust, cobwebs, dirt, and other debris to avoid jams. 

Conclusion

Making even the smallest changes and upgrades can significantly improve your curb appeal and functionality, and increase the property’s value. 

With a few simple upgrades and fixes to your garage, you’ll get a good return on investment and a welcoming feature that improves the overall appearance of your home.