Warmer weather is upon us, meaning it’s time to take advantage of these longer yet gorgeous days. There’s not a more ideal time to upgrade your home’s exterior than springtime. By enhancing your home’s exterior with home improvement projects, you can add value while increasing its appeal. If you don’t know where to start, follow these exterior upgrade tips to make the most of your outdoor living spaces.
1. Install outdoor lighting
An exterior upgrade that many homeowners often overlook is installing outdoor lighting. Not only can exterior lighting add safety and security advantages to a home but also a sense of luxury. There are several ways to incorporate lighting into your home’s exterior. A common way to illuminate your home is on your front lawn by using sconces or pendant lights. Also, adding lights to your entryway and porch area can enhance the beauty of your property.
There are also other unique ways to add lighting to your home’s exterior. Walkway lighting has become increasingly popular amongst homeowners. Use low-voltage lighting to highlight your trees and your garden to add curb appeal. If you have an outdoor kitchen or bar space, lining lighting throughout these areas can take your backyard to the next level.
2. Upgrade your outdoor living space
With summer approaching, creating the perfect backyard space to lounge is essential. To enhance your outdoor living spaces, there are several backyard design ideas to consider. Some of these include extending your deck, buying new furniture, building an outdoor bar, and adding unique lighting styles.
One way to upgrade your outdoor living space is by building a deck, or extending the deck that you currently have. It’s also best practice to choose fitting furniture that’s both comfortable and weather-proof. That said, it’s important to have a storage plan in place. Building an outdoor bar or kitchen space with a grill, seating, and more is especially ideal to creating a comfortable yet entertaining area. Adding outdoor decor is always a reliable way to create a space your guests will enjoy. Some examples include building a pergola or awning, implementing a table set with an umbrella, or using climbing plants to showcase a more secluded feel.
3. Clean & repair your exterior
Your home’s exterior can deteriorate and become quite dirty over time. Most of the time, mold and mildew can build up if not maintained properly. Additionally, your roof and gutters can also pay the price if not treated when issues arise. Power washing is one way to clear your exterior of ugly stains while preventing long-term damage. Hiring the right pressure-washing company could be a beneficial way to restore your home’s exterior.
It’s critical to assess your roof and gutters to ensure they’re working properly, especially in the spring. Due to rain being more prominent in specific areas, you’ll want to prevent leaks and spillage whenever possible. If your roof shows signs of damage and distress, you may have to make some repairs or in some cases replace your roof. If that’s the case, picking the right roof replacement material is crucial to adding value to your exterior. Damaged or clogged gutters can create potential damage exposure to your home’s roof and foundation. Replacing or cleaning your gutters via DIY or hiring a professional can provide an advantage against potential downpours.
4. Revamp your landscaping
Spring is the perfect time to revamp your landscaping and for all the right reasons. When it comes to curb appeal and overall appearance, your property’s landscaping plays a major role. A reliable first step is by cleaning up leftover leaves, debris, and other items left behind from winter. Once you’ve cleaned your yard especially closer to your home’s foundation, you should plant new flowers and even prune trees where branches have grown brittle.
One of the easiest ways to upgrade your landscape is by tending to your garden beds to revive older plants and flowers that were once flourishing. By removing dry and dead plants, your landscape can immediately look livelier than it did before. More specifically, planting flowers, bushes, and even trees around your deck space can create an appealing aesthetic in your backyard. Like your front landscape, you can even add focal points like a birdbath or some sort of garden statue to add value.
Review your budget
When deciding which projects, you want to move forward with, it’s important to analyze your current budget along with potential costs like hiring professionals, construction fees, and paying for additional materials. Depending on the extent of the upgrades, it can be pricey. Yet, if completed, you can receive a positive return on your investment. Using savings or a rainy-day fund is the ideal way to pay for smaller home improvement projects. When funding larger exterior home projects, on the other hand, a credit card or home equity loan are both reliable options. By using your home’s equity built up over time, you can receive capital in a lump sum to afford more expensive renovations. A credit card is a convenient way to build credit while paying off what you need when you can.
Conclusion:
By considering the exterior upgrades above, you can transform your home’s overall feel. When trying to create a welcoming and relaxing environment, consider adding to your outdoor living space. Whether you decide to build a pergola or implement outdoor lighting, there are a variety of ways to enhance your home’s beauty while adding immense value. Start planning today and decide which of these home improvement projects are best for your home!