Kerb Appeal Can be Carbon Conscious With These 8 Sustainable Choices

Whether you’re trying to sell your home or just want it to look smarter, sprucing up your exterior doesn’t have to come at a cost to the environment.

Here are eight more sustainable ways to boost your kerb appeal without harming the planet.

1. Create a Permeable Driveway

A good driveway is a key kerb appeal asset. According to a YouGov survey, 59% of potential buyers prioritise it. However, nonporous materials that do not soak up the rain can contribute to local flooding, so choose a greener option.

Gravel, permeable concrete blocks or reinforced grass are good choices. A bonus is that in most parts of the country, you won’t need planning permission for a new driveway if you use porous materials.

2. Use Drought-Resistant Native Plants

A well-designed front garden can help conserve water if you choose plants that can tolerate dry spells. Native, drought-tolerant plants such as lavender, geraniums, sage, echinacea and rosemary are valuable food for pollinators too, especially in a dry spring when other plants may struggle. If you want to keep it tidy rather than meadow-like, plant in pots or carefully tended borders.

3. Install a New Garage Door

Your garage has a strong impact on kerb appeal. Natural wood is a sustainable choice offering timeless beauty. A wooden garage door also has natural insulation properties, so it can help keep your house’s temperature balanced, potentially saving money on heating and cooling.

These doors can be painted or stained to match the aesthetics of your home, allowing for easy customisation.

4. Choose Thoughtful, Energy-Efficient Outdoor Lighting

Illumination can be important for security. Go for solar-powered options or upgrade to energy-saving LEDs. Be mindful that outdoor lighting can disrupt bats and other native wildlife, affecting their ability to forage and feed.

Humans aren’t the only creatures who use stars as a compass — some insects, migratory birds and even seals do too. To minimise light pollution, keep bulbs shielded, directed downwards and as dim as possible. Warm white or amber is kinder to wildlife than bright white.

5. Opt for Reclaimed or FSC-Certified Fencing

A new fence can make a property look smart and well-maintained. For sustainable kerb appeal, consider reclaimed wood or recycled plastic fencing. If you want to use new timber, ensure it is FSC-certified as being responsibly sourced.

You can also use salvaged wood to create window boxes, a rustic seat or an archway to frame your path, further enhancing your home’s charm.

6. Choose Environmentally Responsible Paints for Doors and Walls

Conventional exterior paint is high in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which react with nitrogen oxides, contributing to air pollution through smog and ground-level ozone. A new coat of paint can brighten up a front door or even your whole home's exterior, but if you want to be carbon-conscious, select zero- or low-VOC paints.

These are safer for the environment and human health. They are often water-based and give off no odours during application. They come in an increasing range of colours and are formulated to be durable for outside use.

7. Show Off Some Wildlife Features

In addition to drought-resistant pollinator planting, your outdoor space can support local ecosystems in other ways while still looking attractive and interesting. If you have room, consider bird boxes, feeders or bee hotels. You could replace fencing with a hedge, add a neatly stacked log pile, or plant ivy or honeysuckle as climbers.

If you have a front lawn, mow it once a month to give daisies and clover a chance to bloom. A small solar-powered water feature on your driveway takes up minimal space but draws attention and gives thirsty birds or insects somewhere to drink.

8. Clean and Tidy Up

There is a balance to strike if you are selling your property, as buyers generally like a tidy appearance, but there’s no reason a sustainable, wildlife-friendly exterior cannot also be neat. Little things, such as cleaning your windows, fixing any damage and keeping the bins out of sight, can all add up and even make your home more pleasant to live in, too.

Your Greener Kerb Appeal Journey Begins

Some of these suggestions are relatively quick, simple and inexpensive, such as adding a water feature. Others, like a new driveway or a drought-resistant garden, take more planning and involve an upfront cost.

You don’t need to do everything at once. If you are interested in sprucing up your front garden but you also care about the planet, try these carbon-conscious kerb appeal ideas one at a time and work your way towards a beautiful and environmentally responsible home exterior.