From all the wear-and-tear brought on by winter's elements, your home’s exterior is likely due for some TLC this spring.
While we’ve already looked at some ways to make sure the interior of your home is ready for spring, with the warmer temperatures and sunnier days on the way, let’s take a look at how you can refresh your home’s exterior.
RealSimple has a few easy ideas to spruce up your home this spring:
Pretty Plants
Your home may not be ready for a full garden just yet, but there are plenty of ways to incorporate plants and shrubbery that add pops of color.
First, be sure to trim away any overgrown greenery and remove dead plants and weeds. While your lawn’s color may still be recovering from the months of winter, this doesn’t mean it has to be covered in weeds, twigs, and fallen brush.
Second, try tidying up the garden beds with a layer of bark mulch. Although it may not be time to plant your flowers just yet, adding this layer of bark will give your home and yard a refreshed appearance.
Third, potted plants are a relatively simple way to add pops of color to your home. To start, the walkway and porch might be good spots for your potted plants.
Let’s Talk Doors
How about adding a fresh coat of paint to your front and garage doors? A new coat of paint is a rather inexpensive way to manicure your home, while also providing a significant refresh to its appearance.
For the garage doors, colors that blend in with the rest of your home is typically recommended here. On the other hand, for the front door, recommended color options offer a wider variation. For instance, a traditional neutral color (such as black or charcoal) often works well, but so too can a bolder color choice (such as red or yellow).
If the door's hardware needs updating, now is a good time to take care of this. Choose hardware pieces that match the style of your home and offer a clean appearance.
Finishing Touches
What about your benches, tables, and/or other outdoor furniture? If it’s broken, you will want to replace or fix this. If it’s dingy, try adding a layer of spray paint to bring it back to its former glory.
Don’t forget about the lights! Be sure that your light fixtures are in good shape and that all bulbs have been replaced. Light fixtures on the porch and along the walkways are two simple ways to keep your home illuminated.
As you can see, sprucing up your home’s exterior does not have to be costly or overly time-consuming. Spending the necessary time now to get your home ready for spring is worthwhile. Especially if your home is on the market, do what you can to ensure your home maintains its welcoming appearance, from the outside-in.