Hello World! Welcome Friends! Spring is the perfect time to do yard work. Increasing sunshine means more energy and rising temperatures make it comfortable to work outside again. During this time of year, you have a chance to curb growing plants before your yard turns into a summer jungle.
Updated curb appeal for your home doesn’t have to cost thousands of dollars. There are many simple exterior upgrades you can complete for a small cost or even for free. Every project you finish will add to your home’s new look. Here are six curb appeal tips you can use to upgrade your home this spring.
1. Clean It Up
This first step is also the easiest and least expensive. Over the fall and winter, fallen leaves and branches collect in your yard. Picking them up will prep your yard for the first mowing of the year. Litter may also collect on your property, unobserved until the snow melts in spring. This is your chance to pull discarded objects out of your hedge before spring greenery covers everything up.
If your lawn is small, you’ll be able to clean it up with a few hours of work. Trim your bushes and attend to any trees that need pruning. You can also use this time to power wash your home’s exterior. If you have a larger property and bonfires are legal where you live, consider inviting friends over for a day of yard work and s’mores.
2. Create Natural Features
Once the yard is tidy, it’s time to put new plants in. Fill pots with summer flowers and choose long-lasting perennials for landscaping. Thrifty homeowners can start new flowers and decorative plants inside several weeks before the last frost date. Before you move the plants fully outside, make sure to harden them off so they can adjust to the outdoors slowly.
You can also build inexpensive window boxes and fill them with flowers to brighten your home’s exterior. If you want to bring shade to your yard, consider planting young trees. Tulip poplars are a great option – they’re beautiful, grow quickly and can live for up to 300 years in prime conditions. Spring is also a great time to identify and treat any poisonous plants in your yard.
3. Add Shutters and Trim
Now that your landscaping is taken care of, it’s time to freshen up your home’s exterior. If your home doesn’t have shutters, consider adding them. They can bring color and structure to the front of your home, making it feel truly finished. You can purchase shutters or build and paint your own.
To further increase your home’s curb appeal, consider adding extra trim above the windows. This will add height and make each window feel bigger. Adding trim over your front door is a great way to make it feel like the destination that it is. Paint the door and surrounding trim contrasting colors so it really stands out.
4. Make It Comfy
Research shows that time outside is amazing for your mental health and overall wellbeing. To create a cozy outdoor space, turn your porch or part of your backyard into a restful seating area. You can hang a hammock, integrate comfy seating or set up a bonfire surrounded by natural log benches in a safe location.
The outdoor space you create should suit your lifestyle. If you like to read outside, a hammock under a shady tree might be ideal for you. Kids might require an exciting treehouse or playground equipment. Young couples and families can set up a bonfire and invite friends over for a night of bonding and s’mores.
5. Fix Broken Items
You can also increase your curb appeal by fixing any items that are broken. Sometimes, you look at something for so long that it’s challenging to see what needs to change. This spring, step back and evaluate your property. Is your shed door hanging off its hinges? Are there cracks in your pavement?
Make a short list of items that need repaired and get to it. Sometimes, you don’t need to replace broken items – you can just remove them. If you’ve power washed your home and the dirt is still stuck, it might be time to repaint the exterior. This is another great opportunity for you to invite some friends over for a group workday and spring celebration.
6. Check the Roof
Finally, don’t forget to check your roof. During the fall and winter, your gutters may have gotten clogged with fallen leaves and seeds. You may even have small trees growing along the edge of your home. Get out a ladder and safely clean your gutters out. Experts recommend doing this twice a year for optimal water flow away from your home.
If there’s debris on your roof, now is also a great time to remove it. Be very careful when cleaning your roof – if you’re uncertain with a ladder or don’t feel comfortable with heights, call a service to complete this part of your spring cleaning. While you’re checking your roof, look over your chimney for damage and ensure any cap or crown is in place.
Update Your Curb Appeal
Refreshing your curb appeal doesn’t have to be expensive. After you clean up your yard, you can add new plantings and outdoor seating to create a comfortable outdoor escape. You can do this work yourself or invite a few friends over for a spring workday and following celebration. Follow these six tips to update your home’s landscaping and exterior for a fresh spring look.
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