Updating your home exterior on a budget

Giving your home's exterior a facelift is a good idea whether you want to amp up its curb appeal or create a more inviting environment for long summer days spent outside. The exterior of your home gets plenty of wear and tear, and it can get particularly rough-looking after a harsh winter. Depending on what kind of cosmetic treatment your house needs, these projects can be pretty pricey, which is why most people decide to neglect them. However, updating your home exterior on a budget is possible. All you really need is some elbow grease and a few nifty ideas. This article will help you with the latter.

Add a fresh coat of paint

Giving your home a fresh coat of paint might be a bit on the expensive side, depending on your budget, but you shouldn't underestimate its power. A pristine facade can significantly increase the value of your home when trying to sell. Even if you're not interested in moving, busting out your paintbrushes will make your home feel more luxurious.

While you're still wearing your paint-stained clothes, don't forget to pamper your doors, window frames, fence, or anything else that could benefit from a little bit of color. Using bolder colors on these details of your home will give it a Pinterest-worthy look without too much hassle. Just make sure to opt for weather-resistant paint or high-quality finishes to avoid peeling, chipping, and fading.

Bring life to your yard

One thing that can negatively impact your home exterior is not-so-green-looking greenery. Most outdoor spaces need a bit of help when it comes to recovering after winter. To get your garden all spruced up, start with racking the leaves and other debris from your lawn. Trim the grass (and keep it that way!), cut any dry tree branches and dead plants, and address the weeds. Only a few hours of yard work will do wonders for the appearance of your home.

A well-maintained garden is essential when upgrading your home exterior on a budget.

Once you have a clean slate, you can move on to adding life and color to your home exterior. Planting a tree can be a fun project for the kids, and it will provide some shade for those lazy summer afternoons. Add flowers, bushes, and other plants for an extra dose of lushness. If you lack outdoor space, potted plants on your windowsills or next to your door will work just as well.

Scrub, scrub, scrub

Updating your home exterior on a budget can't go without a little bit of scrubbing. You clean your interior regularly, so it's only logical to do the same outside as well. You might be thinking your shutters are old and worn, but they probably just need some TLC. Scrub anything you can reach and make sure to get rid of the cobwebs. Clean your outdoor furniture, and don't forget the garage door. This will help you see whether anything needs to be fixed or replaced.

For the ultimate sparkle effect, you might want to rent a power washer. You can use it to wash your driveway, sidewalk, or any other area that needs a good shower. Remember how satisfying those power washing videos are? You can have that!

Take care of the details

If you're always on the lookout for ways to make your home look and feel more luxurious, you probably know that the secret is in the details. Because of this, the details of your home exterior shouldn't be neglected either.

Consider hiding your trash cans if possible, as they are never a pleasant sight. If this is not an option, make sure to keep them clean to avoid any odors. Polish your home number and maybe even spray-paint it. Examine your mailbox and decide whether it needs to be fixed up or replaced. If you're guilty of excessive online shopping during the past year (like most of us), you can at least show your mailman you care. There are many fun DIY mailbox projects that you can tackle over the weekend.

A pretty mailbox will add charm to your home exterior.

For a more polished look, you might want to find storage for stuff that has been sitting unused in your yard. Whether it's old bikes or seasonal items, you probably don't want them to suffer outside. However, be aware of the expenses before you decide to rent a storage unit. They can add up depending on the size and type of storage, so consider decluttering first.

Add more lighting

Since you've put so much effort into upgrading your home exterior on a budget, why not show it off in the best possible light? Solar lights are an excellent way to accentuate your garden or frame your walkway. Not only will they make your home look snazzy, but they will add convenience and safety, as well. You won't have to use the flashlight on your phone every time you take out the trash, and the scary shadows will leave the premises. And since these lights are powered by the sun, your electricity bill won't get angry! You can find them in various shapes and sizes, and they usually require little to no effort for installing.

Finishing touches

Forgetting to decorate is one of the biggest mistakes people make when staging or simply upgrading their home. Decorating the exterior will inspire you to spend more time outside as you'll want to admire your work all day long. If you're scared of the pricetags, remember you don't have to purchase an extravagant birdbath or expensive patio furniture. Small pieces of decor will be more subtle yet still effective. You can start by adding a witty doormat or making seasonal ornaments for your door. Pretty pots for your plants will contribute to the curb appeal, as well. However, they can be expensive, so explore some DIY ways to make new ones or beautify those you already have.

Details are as important outside as they are inside.

Upgrading your home exterior on a budget is all about being creative and willing to put in some effort. No matter how much money you decide to put aside for this project, the important thing is to remember to maintain your work. By doing this, you will ensure your house leaves a good impression all year long.