It is officially springtime, which means gray skies and snow are behind us, and we can look forward to longer, brighter days. Early spring is one of the most popular times of year for outdoor landscaping, and many homeowners like to focus on simple, yet impactful projects. Here are five ways to spruce up your home’s curb appeal this spring.
Install Edging along Walkways & Garden Beds
Edging is one of the simplest ways to upgrade your home’s aesthetic appeal almost immediately, and it is often referred to as a facelift for your home. It creates contrast and adds definition to the various parts of your yard, and it also keeps things neat and tidy in a way that is pleasing to the eye. There are plenty of materials you can use for edging, including concrete, wood, stones, tile, or even plastic. You can use edging along the length of your sidewalks, walkways, driveway, and even garden beds.
Lay Down New Mulch
A new layer of mulch is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to spruce up your home’s curb appeal. Traditional mulch in varied brown tones is by far the most popular, but there are all kinds of other options to consider if you really want your home to stand out. You could opt for mulch in a color that complements your home’s aesthetic, but avoid light or pastel colors, which can quickly take on a “dirty” look. If you want something more permanent, opt for pebbles or rocks, instead.
Improve Your Yard’s Lighting
Lighting is often overlooked in outdoor landscaping, but it is one of the most powerful ways to improve your home’s curb appeal – especially before dawn or after dusk. The possibilities are endless, but if you want a truly dramatic effect, use brighter lights to highlight your front door and any other focus areas and dimmer lights for things like footpaths. If energy consumption is a concern, solar lighting is an excellent choice.
Clean and/or Paint Your Home’s Exterior
If your home is covered in siding, making it look new again is as simple as cleaning it. You can have your home exterior power washed in a single afternoon, and the transformation is almost unbelievable. On the other hand, if your home’s exterior is painted, avoid power-washing, and have it professionally repainted, instead. Do not neglect your front door, shutters, and window frames; sometimes, painting them a bright, happy color can really make them pop.
Trim Shrubs & Trees
Unkempt shrubs and trees can dramatically affect your home’s curb appeal, so if you’re looking for quick ways to give your home an upgrade, hire a professional trimmer. When you hire a pro, he or she can look for signs of damage or disease that could cause issues down the road. This is another project that can usually be done in a single day, and it can make a dramatic difference.
Your home’s exterior is the first thing people see, so it is important to keep it in good, clean condition. Completing projects like edging and mulch, adding and adjusting lighting, trimming back trees and shrubs, and power washing or painting your home can go a long way toward improving your home’s appearance.