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5 Ways to Beautify a Property With Minimal Outdoor Space

To feel happy and satisfied with the space you live in, you have to make the most of your home with your own personal touch. Every square inch counts, especially if you're living in smaller quarters — and that includes outdoor space. The exterior is the first thing guests see when they visit or tour your property.

New York properties are not renowned for their square footage, and many buildings don’t have extensive yards to boast about. Fortunately, there are plenty of fun ways to beautify your exterior that don't require much outdoor space. A beautiful city property relies more on architectural details, artful greenery and thoughtful design.

Curb appeal is for everyone, not just those with huge lawns and giant shrubbery to boast. All you have to do is dive in:

1. Invite Some Color

Even if your front door is your main focal point, adding a few pops of color can do wonders for your home's curb appeal. You can go in whatever direction you'd like with your hues — from a bright red front door to a purple mail slot. Experiment with your shutters, your walkway and any other details your home might have.

Colors are a great way to show personality in your curb appeal, and they can make your space look put-together and stylish. There’s nothing residents and tourists love more than a row of city buildings with colorful doors, after all — it’s an easy way to stand out in a sea of brown and gray properties.

2. Polish the Exterior

When you don’t have a lot of outdoor space, the main attraction of your property will be its exterior appearance. Owners can boost curb appeal by spending more time attending to the very bones of the building.

One of the best places to put your attention is your siding. Good quality, clean siding can improve your curb appeal and increase the resale value of your property should you ever choose to put it back on the market. Power washing is one way to brighten up the exterior, but if your siding is still looking a bit shabby, it could even be time to replace it. 

In addition to enhancing the quality, updating your siding enables you to match the architectural style and color to your preferences. This work can help your property blend into the neighborhood style, embrace a pop of color or simply refresh the original design to make it more appealing to passersby.

3. Let Your Plants Hang Out

If you don't have the space for traditional landscaping, there's no need to fear. There are plenty of creative greenery solutions to make your property lush and natural without digging around in the dirt. 

Potted and hanging plants can do wonders for a space and can create a cascading environment of greens right outside your front door. Try bringing in macramé and hanging baskets to get the full effect. You can have fun exploring your options for hanging plants and decorating with natural beauty in a brand new way. 

4. Get Seasonal

Nothing shouts fun decor quite like a few seasonal touches throughout the year. People often underestimate the power of a wreath, but it packs a major punch. Stacking a couple of cute Halloween, winter holiday and even summer-themed decorative pieces can make your home inviting. Go all out for your favorite holidays or keep it refined all year long.

Changing up little details throughout the year demonstrates your attention and care for your property. Christmas lights, a few spooky cobwebs or a summer wreath can spruce things up and add a bit of charm.

5. Add a Bit of You

Your personality creates the details that make your house a home, and that's just as true on the outside as it is on the inside. Do you have a terrace that can be decorated to show off your favorite plants or furniture choices? Or street-facing windows that can benefit from attractive draperies? From detailed shutters to adorable doormats to creative lighting solutions, you can find details that make your home feel more like your own. 

Doing this can bring a unique flair that will impress guests and put a smile on your face every time you return from a day of work.

Improve Your Curb Appeal Without Landscaping

You can do so much with your outdoor space, even if you don't have much of it. Your personality can shape your decor, taking your curb appeal to the next level. It's the little things that make your home special, especially when you're short on space. 

Having fun, getting creative and embracing new ideas can make your city property even more beautiful than before.

Holly Welles is a real estate blogger covering design, finance and market trends for apartment dwellers. You can find more of her work on her blog, The Estate Update.

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