We recently offered you tips to spruce up the interior of your home. In this mailing we will give you ideas to fix up the exterior. Your home’s curb appeal sets the mood for what’s inside your house. Your neighbors, who probably see as much of the outside of your home as you do, will be wowed by these simple, low-cost curb-pleasing improvements. The DIY projects are designed to be completed in a day, a week, or a month. Like last time, we offer some videos to inspire and teach.
1. Paint the Front Door /Replace Exterior Hardware/improve Lighting
We suggested in our last letter that you paint your front door a bold eye-catching color. A fresh coat of paint will give your main entrance an updated look. But don’t stop there. Replace your existing doorknob or door handle with a brand new shiny one and switch out exterior light fixtures with a modern style. You can also add lights to the sides of your driveway and walkways to create a light path.
More Videos:
The Do’s and Don’t of Choosing the Best Front Door Color
Choosing a Door Color to Work with Your Home’s Exterior
How to Replace a Doorknob with a Handleset Replacing an Outdoor Wall Sconce
How to Buy Outdoor Lighting
5 Biggest Lighting Mistakes for Outdoor Fixtures
Exterior Sconces (Lowes List)
2. Enhance Your Yard
Enlist the help of the whole family to clean up your front and back yards. Tear out weeds, re-mulch, plant flowers and/or new bushes, and reseed dead grass spots. Purchase a couple of large pots and plant with flowers to accent your front entry. Ideas are limitless when it comes to gardening and you don’t have to have a green thumb.
More Videos:
How to Plant Flowers
How to Lay a New Lawn from Turf
How to Build a Terrace Garden Bed
3. Repaint Exterior Window Trims and Frames
Give your house the appearance of having brand new windows without shelling out money for new ones! By repainting the exterior window trim and frames, you’ll give your home a fresh vibe. Add new shutters or repaint old ones to further enhance your home’s facade.
Videos:
How to Paint Window Trim
What You Need to Know to Paint a Window Frame
4. Replace Your Mailbox
An outdated or a broken mailbox can make your home look neglected. Shop for a new one at a home store or hardware store or purchase one online. There are many affordable styles to choose from, and replacing an old mailbox is actually quite easy.
Videos:
How to Install a Mailbox and Post
Appealing Mailbox Post and Stands (Wayfair List)
Home Depot Mailbox Post and Stands (List)
5. Staining/Painting Your Deck
Time and weather can take a huge toll on your deck, but rather than replace it, you can restain or repaint for a completely new look. Use slate grey paint for a contemporary look, black for a bold look, dark blue to beautifully accent your garden, or err on the safe side and paint your deck chocolate brown.
Videos:
DIY BEHR Deck Makeover
How to Choose a Decking Color
6. Building a Fire Pit
Adding a fire pit is a great way to create an outdoor conversation space and enhance the look and feel of your yard. You can construct the pit on grass, mulch, or even a rocky area. By selecting different colored bricks and varying the pattern and size you can personalize your fire pit. Used bricks will keep the cost down, so you’ll have more money to put toward the fixings for s’mores!
Videos:
A Guide to Building Your Own Backyard Fire Pit
How to Build a Fire Pit under $60
7. Repaving Your Driveway
A driveway full of cracks and potholes is an eyesore and a safety hazard. Whether your driveway is concrete or asphalt, with a little know-how you can make the repairs yourself. The effort will be worth it when your kids use the driveway as a play area and neighbors comment on how nice your “new” driveway looks.
Videos:
Resurfacing Concrete
How to Resurface Concrete for Beginners
If you tackle any of these projects, we would love to see the results! Send us your photos. Better yet, when we can get together again, invite us over! As we mentioned in our last email, if you are not feeling the DIY vibe and would rather hire a professional, please reach out to me for a referral of a great tradesperson I trust. And remember, we are always here for your home buying and refinancing needs. We are friends and neighbors financing homes for friends and neighbors.
