Are you looking for creative ways to spruce up your home while on a tight budget? Here are several tips and ideas to help you make the most out of your exterior home renovation without breaking the bank. These projects are practical, affordable, and can boost your home’s value and curb appeal. You can even perform these renovations on your own to avoid hiring a professional contractor.
10 Simple Exterior Renovation Projects
Before diving into any of these home improvement projects, check your home and yard for signs of weather-related damage. Ignoring existing problems like water, hail, or wind damage can lead to expensive issues down the road.
1. Wash Away the Dirt
One of the easiest ways to give your home a quick facelift is by washing the dirt and mildew off your siding, doors, windows, and garage doors. Grab a bucket, fill it with soapy water, and use a soft-bristled brush to safely wipe off any grime that has collected on your home’s exterior. Also wash away dirt from decks, porches, patios, walking paths, and sidewalks using a hose or pressure washer.
2. Add Fresh Paint
Giving your home a fresh coat of paint can instantly brighten its façade and increase curb appeal. If you’re matching the paint color you currently have, scrape off a small piece and take it to the store to find the right hue. Avoid choosing bold or bright colors that could devalue your home. Neutral and more traditional colors will be more attractive to prospective buyers.
3. Clean Up the Front Yard
It’s amazing how cleaning up your yard and adding simple landscaping can make a massive difference. Especially after a harsh winter, simple DIY projects can make your yard shine. Tasks like removing weeds, planting new flower bulbs, adding fresh mulch, pruning bushes, and adding some flowerpots can add color and interest to your front yard.
4. Add Window Boxes
Buying or building window boxes is a simple and inexpensive way to beautify your home. You can add more color and dimension while giving your home a more charming and welcoming appearance. Consider growing different plants, flowers, and herbs with various colors and textures throughout the year to mix it up.
5. Paint the Front Door
If you want to add a splash of color, your front door is an excellent place to do it. Paint your door a color that pops but also complements the rest of your house. Be sure to clean and prep your door’s surface before painting. You can also add new hardware—like doorknobs and safety locks—to make your door look cleaner and more modern.
6. Upgrade Light Fixtures
Upgrading or adding new light fixtures throughout your yard, along the front of your home, and around your garage door can brighten your home’s exterior and make it feel more modern. Consider adding lights to line your walkways or landscape lighting to highlight your well-manicured yard. To light human-made areas, use warm light. For natural areas (like your yard), opt for cool lighting. Extra lighting not only looks gorgeous, but it can also make your home and yard safer. To find inexpensive light fixtures, check out vintage, salvage, and thrift shops in your area.
7. Fencing
Fencing can be pricey, so focus on adding statement pieces. You could add a cute gate near the street that leads into your front yard or a small picket fence around your garden. If you already have fencing, wash it, add new paint, and update the hardware for a fresh look.
8. Perform Regular Maintenance
Performing regular home maintenance tasks is essential. Fix any broken gutters, replace missing stones or bricks, fill cracks in driveways and sidewalks, replace cracked windows, and touch up peeling paint to maintain your home’s value.
9. Update the Mailbox and House Numbers
Replacing an old, worn, or dented mailbox with a new one is another excellent way to add curb appeal to your front yard. Just be sure to follow any regulations in your area. The same goes for your house number. Adding a decorative number or address plaque can be an easy way to add eye-catching detail to your home.
10. Add a Porch Swing or Outdoor Furniture
Installing a new porch swing or adding fresh furniture to your front porch can enhance curb appeal and create a comfortable space to spend time with loved ones. You’ll also create a cozy space for entertaining and extra seating for large parties. Check local antique stores and thrift shops for outdoor furniture, or wait until furniture and home improvement stores mark down their seasonal items. If you don’t want to replace what you have, you can enhance it with a fresh coat of paint or by replacing old cushions and fabric.
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