Boost Your Home’s Appeal: Easy Late Summer Curb Appeal Ideas for a Stunning Fall Exterior

Using these three quick & easy ways to add curb appeal in late summer will freshen your home’s exterior so you can enjoy the beautiful fall weather to come. Elevate your home’s first impression and prepare your outdoor spaces for the cozy autumn season with minimal effort but maximum impact.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gilmour. All opinions are 100% mine.

As August arrives and late summer heat settles in, it’s common for our initial enthusiasm for gardening and outdoor projects to wane. The sun is relentless, our energy reserves might be low, and unruly weeds may have claimed more territory than we’d like. The thought of simply relaxing, perhaps floating in a cool river or sipping iced tea on a shaded porch, often takes precedence over tackling outdoor chores.

However, for many, late July and August represent the crucial calm before a flurry of activity: the back-to-school rush, abundant garden harvests demanding preservation, and the ramping up of sports, extracurriculars, or demanding job responsibilities. With so much on the horizon, seizing this period for a few dedicated hours to enhance our home’s exterior and landscaping can be incredibly rewarding as we transition into autumn.

The good news is that you don’t need an elaborate renovation or a hefty budget to make a significant difference. Focusing on just three basic, easy-to-implement strategies can dramatically transform your home’s curb appeal at a low cost. The “before and after” effect of a thorough clean-up and tidy-up is often astonishing, breathing new life into your property. This proactive approach not only creates a welcoming atmosphere for visitors but also sets a beautiful stage for you to fully appreciate the splendor of the upcoming fall season.

Three DIY, Easy Ways to Add Curb Appeal for a Beautiful Fall

1. Deep Clean Your Home’s Exterior: Siding, Porches, Decks & Windows

Undertaking a comprehensive cleaning of your home’s exterior is arguably the most impactful task you can perform for its curb appeal, yielding the biggest return on your time and effort. It’s easy to overlook just how much dirt, grime, and cobwebs accumulate over the seasons. I genuinely didn’t realize the extent of our home’s accumulated dust and spiderwebs until I began capturing “before” photos – the contrast with the “after” shots was truly astounding. The transformation was a genuine “wow” moment!

While I may be highlighting some hidden nooks and crannies that visitors might not typically scrutinize, the overall crispness and cleanliness achieved after a thorough wash are undeniable and immediately noticeable. Just look at the entry porch and door in the leading photograph; they appear significantly brighter and more inviting post-cleaning. For this extensive cleaning project, we successfully utilized the versatile Gilmour Power Jet Wand in conjunction with the durable Flexogen hose. This combination proved effective for cleaning nearly every exterior surface.

We even used the jet wand to rinse our outside windows, which did a fantastic job of dislodging stubborn spiderwebs – and trust me, there were *many* webs! While a dedicated window cleaning solution will be needed soon for a streak-free finish (followed by another quick rinse with the jet wand), the initial removal of debris made a huge difference.

Initially, we harbored some skepticism about how well the Gilmour Power Jet Wand would perform, especially since it isn’t a heavy-duty pressure washer. However, for general cleaning of cobwebs, dirt, loose leaves, and various outdoor debris, it worked like a charm. We did encounter one small area of siding with dried-on mud from a previous gutter cleaning that required a bit of scrubbing with a brush, but this was an exception rather than the rule. Overall, its performance exceeded our expectations for basic yet effective exterior maintenance.

Both Brian and I were particularly impressed by several features of the Gilmour Power Jet Wand:

• Precision Spray: The direct spray tip allows you to accurately direct water exactly where it’s needed, which is incredibly useful for reaching tight spots, cleaning between porch or deck boards, and targeting specific areas of grime.
• Ergonomic Design: It’s surprisingly easy and comfortable to hold and maneuver. The metal construction provides durability and strength without being overly heavy, making extended cleaning sessions less fatiguing.
• Adjustable Water Flow: A convenient control mechanism allows you to regulate the force of the water stream. While we preferred the high-force setting for most of our exterior home cleaning to blast away dirt, this feature offers versatility for more delicate applications, such as washing a car without damaging the paint.
• Enjoyable Experience: Believe it or not, cleaning with this wand can actually be fun! Especially on a hot summer day, the fine backspray created during use provides a refreshing cool-down – a unique benefit not typically associated with cleaning tasks!

Sometimes, pictures speak louder than words. That’s why I’m bravely sharing our dusty, dirty, and yes, very cobwebby “before” images, so you can truly appreciate the dramatic transformation. Again, it’s a genuine “wow” difference. If you only have time to tackle one item on this curb appeal checklist, making the effort to clean your home’s exterior will provide the most significant visual impact. (And yes, restaining the porch steps and entry is definitely next on our list!)

2. Revitalize Your Garden: Mid-Summer Trim for Beds & Borders

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking garden beds and borders are “done” by late spring. However, the truth is that a strategic mid-to-late summer trim can immensely benefit the health and appearance of your entire landscape. This isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a vital part of preparing your garden for a robust fall showing and an easier transition into winter.

During this period, many spring and early summer blooms have faded, leaving behind spent flowers that require deadheading. Deadheading not only prevents the plant from expending energy on seed production but often encourages a second flush of blooms, extending your garden’s vibrant display well into autumn. Beyond flowers, you’ll likely find browned or yellowing leaves that can be carefully removed to improve plant vigor and overall tidiness. Furthermore, this is an ideal time to redefine and freshly trim lawn edges, creating crisp, clean lines that instantly elevate the perceived neatness of your garden beds.

While the “before and after” difference might not be as dramatic as a full exterior wash – as garden beds in mid-summer are often still lush with growth – the impact on tidiness and order is substantial. Even subtle changes in trimming can make a garden look significantly more cared for and intentional.

An exciting benefit of this late summer cut-back is the potential for many perennials to produce another round of flowers. Species such as reblooming daylilies, coreopsis, hardy geraniums, and rose campions are excellent candidates for a second showing if deadheaded and trimmed appropriately. And, of course, consistent deadheading of your roses will ensure they continue to grace your garden with their beauty until the first hard frost arrives. This thoughtful trimming not only enhances curb appeal but also maximizes your enjoyment of the garden as summer transitions to fall.

3. Nourish & Protect: Water Thoroughly & Apply a Fresh Layer of Mulch

After you’ve completed your trimming and tidying of flowers and shrubs, the next crucial step for bolstering their health and appearance is deep and thorough watering. Late summer can be a stressful time for plants, with continued heat and often less consistent rainfall. Providing a good, deep soak will give your plants a much-needed boost, helping them recover from the summer’s demands and preparing them for the cooler temperatures and potential second blooms of fall. For efficient and effective watering, I often rely on soaker hoses, which allow water to slowly penetrate the soil directly at the root zone, minimizing evaporation – a technique I’ve detailed in a previous post.

Following a good watering, applying a fresh layer of mulch is paramount. Perhaps you didn’t get around to mulching your beds in the spring – a common oversight we all experience – or your spring mulch layer might be looking thin and tired. Now is the perfect opportunity to replenish it. A new layer of mulch will significantly contribute to your garden beds looking pristine and well-maintained throughout the fall season. More importantly, it acts as a protective blanket, helping to retain the moisture you just added, suppressing weed growth, and regulating soil temperature, which is beneficial as temperatures begin to fluctuate.

When selecting mulch, I personally favor the aesthetic and benefits of dark garden compost. As it slowly breaks down, it continuously feeds the soil with vital nutrients, effectively eliminating the need for any other fertilizers. The rich, dark brown hue of compost also creates a visually cooling effect in the garden, contrasting beautifully with lighter, often reddish-toned bark or straw mulches. However, the best mulch is often what is readily available and affordable in your local area. Any type of mulch will offer a significant improvement over bare, dry, cracking ground where stubborn weeds can easily take root.

While purchasing mulch does involve some cost, it’s generally a very budget-friendly upgrade. A trailer load, often enough to generously cover the garden beds around most entryways, might only cost around $20, making it an accessible enhancement that won’t strain your finances. This simple act of watering and mulching provides both immediate visual appeal and long-term benefits for the health and vitality of your garden, ensuring your home’s exterior remains beautiful and welcoming into the autumn months.

What outdoor tasks do you like to get done before fall arrives to ensure your home looks its best? Share your tips in the comments below!

 

Disclosure: I received product and/or compensation for this post. As always, the opinions, thoughts, and projects are all mine and I will NEVER promote something I don’t love and think you will find helpful – promise! For more info, you can read our entire disclosure page here.