Designing Your Home: Tips For A Simple Exterior Makeover

July 5th, 2012 Home

Many people focus so much effort on the interior of their home, that sometimes the exterior is forgotten. Don’t make this mistake! The outside of your home is almost more important than the inside, especially since it makes the first impression for visitors. You don’t have to empty your wallet in order to have a jaw dropping home, inside and out. The tips in this article will give you some affordable ways of sprucing up the outside.

If you have any trees, bushes or shrubbery, make sure that they are well kept and trimmed. Letting your bushes grow out of control will create a messy and dysfunctional feel to your entire yard. Tame the shrubbery with some pruning shears or hire a professional landscaper if you don’t have the time. Trees should also be trimmed every few months. This is also to ensure that during a storm, the tree won’t compromise your home or anyone else’s.

Just like your car, your house, porch and deck could also use a good wash. Opt to power wash the exterior of your home! This will reveal a much nicer looking house, that you probably didn’t even know was there under all the dirt.

Your front door sets the mood for the look of your home. Make a statement piece out of your front door by giving it a makeover. Grab a bucket of paint and put it to good use. You can choose to mix and match colors or just paint it monochromatic. Whatever you choose, make sure that it matches the siding of your home.

If you have any pathways, add some drama and flair with solar lighting. It is not only an energy efficient lighting choice, but a very design savvy one too! Your garden, yard or driveway can look so much more pleasing to the eye with this one simple solution. Many home hardware stores sell this as a lighting option. Depending on your personal preference, you can get long stakes or small solar lighting that is about ground level.

A welcome mat truly goes a long way in making a visitor feel welcomed. If yours is old, torn and soiled or you don’t have one at all, purchase a new one. Consider buying one that matches the season. There is nothing more pleasing to the eye than a mat that matches your porch and overall feel of your house.

Look around the exterior of your home. Chances are that it has seen a few harsh weather patterns. If you have any loose shingles, siding or trim, make sure that you properly re-attach it. If it is beyond repair, consider purchasing new ones. Siding can easily be purchased from specialty stores where you can find matching colors to yours.

If you have a deck, you know how worn and weathered they can get without proper care. Don’t leave your deck to be an eyesore! Refresh it by sanding it down, apply a new wood stain and use a proper sealer. If you need any extra help or are feeling lost on how to do this properly, pay a visit to your local home hardware store. Stores like Home Depot have great employees who can give you a quick tutorial on the whole process.

Your home doesn’t need to be new in order for you to feel proud of its exterior! With a few simple tips and some time set aside, you can spruce up the appearance of your home and make it the envy of your neighborhood.