This post is sponsored by Placer Exteriors. All opinions are entirely my own.
I have to admit, we’ve been sitting on doing anything with the exterior of our house for a long time. We know exactly what we want to do but then we end up working on the interior of the house and neglecting the outside. The thing is, the exterior is just as important (and maybe even more so) than the interior. Curb appeal (or… un-appeal) can totally make the difference between someone loving your house and someone hating it.
And updating your exterior doesn’t have to be the chore you think it is. There is something so satisfying about driving up to a beautiful house, don’t you think? I wanted to share some simple ideas on how to get that fabulous curb appeal without costing you an arm and a leg.
Front Porch - not everyone has a front porch but everyone DOES have a front door.
We just spent several weeks getting our front (and back) porch and deck redone. We needed boards replaced and sanding done, but it was really the final coat of fresh, white paint that made the porch come back to life. Never underestimate the effect of a fresh can of paint.
- Buy the best paint you can afford - you don’t want it chipping or fading after you’ve gone to all that work.
- Remember to sand and fix any wood that is damaged first.
- Make sure to cover ALL the risers, treads, trim, handrails, etc. Even with the exact same color paint as before, the fresh paint will look new and the old paint will clash.
Want the most impact? Re-evaluate your front door and windows. If your door is in good condition, consider a fresh coat of paint (and maybe even a fun, new color). If you’ve been thinking of replacing your front doors or windows, make sure to get energy efficient ones. A new door/windows can completely turn around the curb appeal of your home.
Landscaping - don’t panic, this doesn’t have to be complicated.
Many years ago we received a bunch of free rose bushes that we planted around the perimeter of the front of our house. They were great… until we got sick and tired of rose bushes and wanted a big change. We put off doing much about it until we redid our front porch and were kind of forced to rip out the bushes to get to a part of the porch. We decided now would be a great time to revisit the front landscaping. We had a few ideas of easy fixes: they don’t take much money, but they will take you a bit of time.
- Add a trellis along a front exterior wall and plant some floral vines. This is such a great way to cover your home, especially those areas that are unsightly.
- Consider xeriscape landscaping to save on water and labor.
- Easy to install pavers or wood chips or artificial turf can be very low maintenance and add a big impact.
Added Touches - it’s all in the details.
Whether you have the time and money to jazz up your front exterior or not, these simple touches can add just as much bang to your curb appeal.
- Solar lighting. I’m not talking about solar panels, just the solar lights that you can stick into the ground to light a path to your front door (or highlight your driveway). They come in all price ranges and can be picked up at your local home improvement store. Not only do they light the way, they can add some interest to your property.
- Home numbers. I’m talking about your actual house number that people sometimes have near their front door or garage. If your homeowner’s association doesn’t mind a change, consider updating those numbers in a pretty font or different finish.
- Decor. I love front porches that are warm and welcoming. A few chairs and a small table, a rocking chair or two, or just a pretty planted flowering tree makes your home seem cozy. Take a weekend morning and visit a few yard sales if cost is a factor. You can usually pick up some cute outdoor furnishings for next to nothing.
Let me know what other ideas you have and make sure to check in with Placer Exteriors to get more great energy efficient ideas.
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