Your home’s curb appeal has a big impact on its value. Over time, your house’s paint colour, siding, and other features can get dated, making your home look run down and dingy. Simple updates like adding glass balcony panels to create a sleek, modern aesthetic or upgrading your roof with contemporary materials like metal or solar tiles can both enhance the visual appeal and improve the functionality of your home.
You should put as much effort into the outside of your home as you do the inside. Even if you’re not getting ready to sell, there are a few things you can do to spruce up your home. Be proud of your investment while being the envy of your neighbours.
Not sure where to get started? We’re going to talk about our top tips on how to modernize the exterior of an old house.
Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint
A new coat of paint can go a long way to making your home look brand new. There are a lot of paint colours that aren’t used anymore. That can make your house look old-fashioned.
You don’t have to paint your entire house if you don’t want to. Repaint your window shutters or front door. A boldly painted front door can modernize the exterior by drawing your eye to a focal point.
Sometimes, you might think your house needs to be painted, but the issues could go beyond that. You could need new siding or cladding. There are plenty of resources online if you need cladding advice from contractors who know what they’re doing. They’ll let you know if they think your cladding needs to get updated or if a coat of paint will do.
Give Everything a Good Scrub
You’ll be amazed at the results pressure washing can do for your front yard. You might think your home’s exterior looks grimy, only to have it transformed after a few hours of power washing.
This is an easy project anyone can do. All you need is a few hours and a pressure washer. You don’t have to spend a lot of money buying something you’ll only use a few times. Check at your local hardware stores to see if you can rent one for the weekend.
There are a lot of things you can pressure wash besides your home’s exterior. You can use it to clean your sidewalks, driveways, and patios. Get rid of ugly oil stains and other things that have been making your home look dated.
Update Your Lighting
A dark house can be intimidating for guests to approach. Light up your front porch, driveway, and walkways with plenty of modern lighting.
One of our favourite outdoor lighting trends is an oversized and dramatic light fixture on your front porch. It’ll illuminate your front door while making your guests feel welcome.
You can also show off all of the work you’ve put into your home with strategically placed lights. Place spotlights throughout your front yard to highlight different landscaping features.
We also love using solar-powered lights in the front yard. Install them along your walkway so people have a clear path to your front door.
Get a New Roof
Roofs are designed to last for a few decades. However, your roof might be at the end of its lifespan. Improve the energy efficiency of your house and its curb appeal by getting a new roof.
There are a lot of different types of roofing materials you can explore. They also come in a lot of colours, so they’ll easily match your existing decor. Our favourite materials are:
- Asphalt shingles
- Solar roof tiles
- Metal roofing
- Slate
- Rubber slate
Modern roofing materials are designed to reflect UV rays. Your home will stay nice and cool in the summer.
You can also modernize your roof with a tile roof. Modern roof tiles are made from concrete. They’re way more durable than old clay tiles. There are lots of styles and shapes to choose from.
Decorate Your Front Porch
Decorating your front porch is an easy way to add personality to your front yard. Even just adding a funny doormat and some hanging plants can make a change. You can also create different seating areas for you and your family to enjoy as the weather warms up.
One of the things we love to use on porches is front door wreaths. You can make your own or buy one that’s premade. Stick to one that’s not season-specific if you don’t want to have multiple wreaths. Or, have some fun with it and bring out a new wreath each time it’s a new holiday or weather season.
What about houses that don’t have a front porch? You can install one if you have the budget to cover one. Porches are really appealing to prospective buyers. They make your home look more welcoming while giving you extra living space outside.
Spruce Up Your Front Yard Landscaping
Lawn maintenance and regular mowing will make your front yard look awesome all year long. You can elevate your yard by planting flowers or even re-mulching. Sprinkle a few pots and planters throughout your yard. Plant seasonal flowers in them, making sure to swap them out once they get tired-looking.
For example, we’re a fan of tulips and daisies in the spring. We replace those with zinnias and sunflowers during the summer. Hardy greenery is a more suitable choice in the fall and winter. You can also add pebbles, mulch, or bark around whatever you plant to make it look even nicer.
Do your research on what types of plants, shrubs, and flowers are suitable for your climate. If you’re still not sure what to plant, head to your local nursery. They can help you figure out what to plant.
Elevate Your Home’s Exterior With These Easy Tips
Your home’s exterior is one of the first things people see when they visit. Whether you’re getting ready to sell or want to update it for your benefit, put a lot of time and thought into it. The final result should be something that you’re proud of.
None of these projects requires hiring a contractor or specialist, depending on what your goals are. You can complete a lot of these projects yourself without needing a lot of skills and expertise.
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