When springtime comes around, we have so many great things to look forward to- more time to enjoy the sun, outdoor dinners with family and friends, perfect temperatures, and blooming flowers. However, due to COVID-19, some of those things have been put on hold for the time being. The best thing we can do is make the most of this extra time that we have been given!
While taking the perspective of ‘out with the old and in the new’ on the inside of your home, spend some time reviving the exterior as well. Homes with a high level of curb appeal lend themselves to being more attractive to visitors and potential buyers. A lush green lawn, clean walkways, and well-trimmed trees all give your home a cleaner and more inviting feel. Consider these tips when planning to update your home for spring.
Clean it up
The best way to begin your spring updates is by starting with a clean slate! Go outside and get a look at your home from the street. Is there any trash in your yard? Are your windows or window trims beginning to look a little rusty? Could your driveway use a good pressure washing? You can increase your home’s curb appeal tremendously just by making sure that everything looks clean and well taken care of. Grab your family and head out into the sunshine to give your home a good scrub down and also to rake up any fallen branches or leaves. Consider hiring a local company to power wash your home, especially if you have any particularly nasty buildup on the siding or the brick (although you might want to wait for “pollen season” to pass).
Give Your Lawn a Manicure
Regular maintenance of your lawn is an essential key to keeping up your home’s curb appeal updated. There is nothing more satisfying than looking at a yard that has been carefully maintained, even down to the edges of the driveway. Grab an edger tool of your choice and create a clean, pristine line along any areas where the grass meets concrete or any other areas of your choosing. Edging your lawn is a quick and inexpensive way to keep your home looking well-manicured.
Let Your Light Shine
Curb appeal isn’t just for the daytime, but for the after-hours as well. Anyone who visits your home in the evenings must be able to clearly see the walkway and driveway at night. Illuminate your entryway path with proper lighting to create a much more pleasant experience for your guests. Choose lighting fixtures that are both aesthetically pleasing to the eye and also provide a reliable source of light. Be sure to include a light source by your garage door to provide a safety feature on a late night.
Make a Bed
Make a bed? Outside? Yes, a garden bed! If you have a green thumb, take your shot at creating a flower bed. Spring is the best time of the year to display brightly colored flowers on your lawn. Having a flower bed in your front yard is not only pleasing to the eye, but it can also add a sense of comfort and cheerfulness to your home.
Grab a load of fresh mulch chips to spruce up the ground around your shrubs and flowers. Mulch helps to retain moisture for your plants, and it also saves you hours of labor by cutting back on the production of weeds. If you’re not one to take the time to maintain a garden, there are plenty of other options available to you. Consider adding some planters or window boxes at your front door with flowers that are already in bloom and easy to care for.
Brighten Up the Front Door
If you’re looking to add a ‘wow’ factor to your home, there is nothing that turns heads more than a beautifully painted front door. Variations of reds, teals, and blues are becoming increasingly popular today as front door colors. The color of your door should be one that highlights the other architectural features of your home well. For example, if you have a wooden door and are in love with the grain pattern of it, use a darker stain to draw attention to those details further.
Brightening up your door does not necessarily mean that you must paint it a vibrant color for it to be noticed. Neutral colors or stains can also make your entryway feel lighter as well. If you are having trouble selecting the right shade and you’re located in the Denver area, contact a Denver exterior painter to consult with you and provide a custom color of your choosing.
Spruce Up Your Garage Doors
Garage doors are not the most exciting things to look at, but this is one area of potential that goes missed by so many homeowners. The garage is one of the first things that people see when scanning their eyes across the exterior of your home. Refreshing your garage door with a new coat of paint will help to improve your curb appeal and give you a much better ROI if you choose to later sell your home. If you love the current color of your garage doors, order some touch-up paint and cover-up any scratches or cracks that are visible. Be sure to find the exact shade that you need, so you don’t end up with lines of unmatched colors. On the other hand, if you are looking to make a statement with your garage, turn it into a work of art just like your front door and add a contrasting color to make it pop.
Grab a Seat
Make your patio the perfect comfy oasis by dressing it up with furniture and accessories. Your outdoor living space should be a relaxed reflection of how you live inside. If you’re prone to having family over on warm summer nights, consider furniture that is not only comfortable to sit on but can also double as storage. Tables and chairs are great for entertaining multiple guests at a time and they create the look of an outdoor dining room, which is very appealing to onlookers. Consider purchasing fabrics or materials that are easy to care for, so you don’t end up having to spend as much time cleaning the outside as you do the inside of your home. However, if you prefer to sit down and read a book, rocking chairs provide a beautiful moment of peace and tranquility outside.
Curb appeal is all about how visually attractive your home is; it sets the expectation for how the interior of your home looks and feels. But here’s the best thing about the appeal of your home — it benefits you as well! Well-manicured trees and shrubs can help you cut down on your energy bill by providing a reliable barrier between your home and the sun. Not to mention, curb appeal increases the value of your property as well. By taking the time to update your home’s look this spring, you could be well on your way to being the favorite gathering place of family and friends this summer.
