The first impression that visitors to your home and passersby get is when they look in your front yard. Your home exterior is that vision that they’ll see first and if it’s covered in dirt, debris or its wearing with age, your home’s exterior loses its shine, vibrancy and appeal.
This is not something that you want because if you consider how you walk down the road peeping at other peoples homes, you want yours to look impressive, clean, and ready to shine. The good news is that there are several ways that you can freshen up your home’s exterior and restore its curb appeal. Whether you’re preparing for a sale or not is not relevant, but you just need your home to look good and we’ve got some tips that will help you to make a noticeable difference to your home’s exterior.
1. Break out the pressure washer. One of the simplest ways that you can freshen up the exterior of your home is by pressure washing the driveway. The driveway gathers a lot of dirt, grime and mold overtime and it may even end up with oil stains if you park your car out there. This can make the exterior of your home look dirty and unkempt. Using an electric pressure washer is a quick and efficient way to get your driveway sparkling again. Doing this regularly will make sure that you get rid of any oil stains that keep the dirt and grime away. It will easily remove the stains and dirt without the need for any harsh chemicals because the powerful water stream can blast away the dirt.
2. Makeover your front door. One of the focal points of the exterior of your home is the front door. If it’s looking worn out, chipped or even outdated, a fresh coat of paint will do wonders to refresh the appearance. Picking a bold and eye-catching colour complements the overall aesthetic of your home. If your front yard is full of bright and bold flowers, then matching that with your front door can add elegance and sophistication. You want people’s eyes to be drawn for good reason, not a bad one.
3. Light it up. Outdoor lighting can enhance the appearance of your home’s exterior quite dramatically. Not only does it improve security and visibility, but it also adds some charm. If you ever walked past a lovely home in the twilight hours, you might notice an uplighter can make a big difference to the way the home looks. It looks inviting and it looks like a peaceful place to be. If you want to remain energy efficient with this one, go with solar powered lights because these are a great choice for the cosy vibe.
4. Call in the landscaping professionals. A well maintained lawn and garden can make a big difference to the exterior of your home. Start by mowing down the lawn and trimming the edges, and you could also look at removing any weeds. If you don’t have time for the maintenance and upkeep of your front yard, then call in the experts to come and do it for you. Lawns that look thin or patchy need to be overseeded, and they need fertilizer to help them to grow. Your landscaper will also be able to map out a whole new forest of flowers and plants to make your home exterior look inviting and exciting to be in. You want to inject vibrant colours into your home and show that you are not a boring family living inside!
5. Update your fixtures. The mailbox and even the numbers of your house need to be updated from time to time. They can fade, crack, or become outdated so replacing them with more modern or stylish sets can make all the difference to the way that your home looks. House numbers on the mailbox are quite a small detail that can have a big impact on the overall appeal of your home. You can pick a style that complements the exterior, whether it’s leaking contemporary or more vintage. Either way it’s an eye catching addition to the front of your home and it does give it an upgrade in an instant.
6. Repair the fences. Wild weather could knock out the panels of your fence and your home’s fence does play a significant role in both appearance and security. If it’s falling apart or old, replacing or repairing it can boost the look of your property quite quickly. Inspect the fence for any loose boards and rusted nails, and even check on any broken sections. If the fence itself is still structurally sound, you may only need to sand it down. A well maintained fence adds to your home’s aesthetic.
7. Add window boxes. To add a touch of charm and greenery to a home that doesn’t have much of a front lawn, you can use window boxes to add the appeal. These are decorative elements and can add colour and texture to your home and entryway. Pick the plants that are suited to the climate and provide seasonal interest, because everybody will notice the annual flowers in spring and summer and all the evergreens in the fall and winter. You can customize your window boxes in a variety of materials too so whether you add flowers or herbs, this little addition will make your home feel more inviting.
8. Give the gutters a clean. If you want to protect your home’s exterior, direct any rain water away from the foundation with the help of clean and fixed gutters. Gutters can become clogged up with leaves and dirt overtime, but giving them a regular clean at least twice a year can ensure that they remain in the best possible condition.
8. Hide the bins. Your outdoor bins can be an eyesore but if you open your own cabinetry outside you can have your bins hidden in all weathers. Make sure that the cabinetry that you use is not made of wood so that the wood doesn’t degrade overtime. Plastic cabinets or cases to hide your bins in can make your home look more exciting and appealing and you won’t have to worry about smelly bins sitting on the drive.
10. Clean the windows. You don’t have to do this one yourself, especially if your windows are quite tall. Calling in the experts to come and clean the windows for you and you’ll have a brighter home in no time.