What message does your home convey as you drive by? Does it look welcoming and warm? Or does it look like the Halloween decorations got left up all year long?
In many ways, a home’s exterior is more important than the interior. That’s certainly the case if you live in an HOA. Exterior projects may seem like a large, expensive undertaking but there are a lot of ways to improve the exterior of your home without spending a fortune.
Clean Up
The first step to having a beautiful yard is cleaning it up. No matter how much you invest in your landscaping and exterior it won’t look its best if it’s not maintained. Clear out the clutter, remove debris and prune the plants. It’s amazing what a difference a day of cleaning can do for curb appeal.
Plant Flowers
Everyone enjoys a floral splash of color. Flowers immediately make the exterior look cheerier and brighter no matter what type of flower it is.
Even if you don’t have a green thumb, wildflowers are easy to grow. They’re also inexpensive and add a beautiful array of color. Try a regional option like Nature’s Seed wildflower seeds that have better odds of growing all year long.
Focus the flowers around the entry in both pots and gardens. You can also line the walkway to lead guests up to the door.
Add Some Mulch
There are many reasons to add mulch to your garden beds, around trees and just about anywhere else. It’s an instant refresher that can also:
- Help plants retain moisture.
- Protect plants from the cold in winter.
- Provides weed control.
But which mulch should you choose? There are more than a dozen types of mulch. Selecting an organic mulch material provides an added benefit. It breaks down and improves the soil.
Power Wash the Driveway and Siding
It’s amazing what a power washer and a water hose can accomplish in a few hours. Higher end power washers that can be adjusted are capable of cleaning the siding, patio, porch, walkway, and driveway. One spray is all it takes to get rid of grime that took years to build up.
Power washers are fairly simple tools to use, but they can do damage if you aren’t careful. Start with the power washer on the lowest setting until you get a feel for it.
Paint or Replace the Front Door
The front door is like the welcome mat of your home. It invites people in and can give a home personality. There are two options:
Paint – If your door is functionally sound and secure a fresh coat of paint can be the pick-me-up your exterior needs. You may also want to consider installing a new doorknob and lock.
Replace – It may be worth it to go ahead and replace the front door if it’s not secure, damaged or just doesn’t suit your style. The good news is a new front door doesn’t just add to the curb appeal. According to Home Remodel Magazine’s annual report, a new steel front door has one of the best returns on investment.
Mow the Yard
Grass that’s grown out more than a few inches starts to look unkempt and messy. No one will be admiring how green it is because all they’ll see is a jungle.
Lawns should be kept at around 1-2” in most environments. This is the healthiest length for grass and also looks the neatest. You’ll need to keep mowing your lawn through the fall until the first frost arrives.
In the fall, keep your lawn clear of leaves with a Portable Leaf Blower Shredder/Vac from Gardener’s Supply. This leaf blower quickly and easily converts from leaf blower to vacuum/shredder for the ultimate yard cleanup solution.
These are just a few ideas for improving your home’s exterior. As long as you’re willing to spend a little time working outside, you can spruce up the front yard for next to nothing!
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