Do Something Different with Your Exterior This Summer
January 13, 2015
You may be wondering why we’re thinking about summertime home improvements when there’s still frost on the windows. But hear us out! It makes a lot of sense to plan what you’ll be tackling well in advance of the warmer weather. That way you can prepare, get the materials you’ll need, and just plain plan ahead for the work to come. Starting to sketch out summertime exterior improvements now also gives you the time you’ll need to think not only about individuals improvements but also a unified look.
Here are some of the exterior improvements you should consider tackling when the temperatures start to rise:
Make your outdoors more like indoors.
If you’re like most people your front porch sees about as much action as your guest bathroom. But why? Maybe you’re not using it because you legitimately don’t want to but chances are it’s just not that welcoming. Make this the summer you spend more time watching the world from the comfort of your porch by adding touches that make the outside more like the inside. Comfortable chairs, an all weather rug, pillows, and objet d’art can all contribute to a desire for more “front porch sittin’.”
Add window shutters.
Real ones, that is. Those plastic fakes have long since become the norm because they’re maintenance free and easy to put up, but they don’t do a house any favors. Maybe we’re so used to seeing the cheap plastic ones and that’s why real wood shutters can make a pretty house look flat-out magazine worthy. Just be sure that you’re choosing the right size and style for your home so they actually can cover the windows and don’t look out of place.
Plant flowers – but think perennially.
You may not have a landscaper’s eye when it comes to your yard or the budget to outsource all your gardening, but there is one thing you can do that will make your house the most charming one on the block come spring. That’s plant flowers, and plenty of them. You can maximize your time and energy by choosing hardy perennials that will keep coming back year after year. Tulips are never out of fashion. Likewise, daffodils and bright flowering shrubs can make any size yard look like a million bucks.
No yard? Try container gardening!
Embrace a big change.
So what if your neighbors are all about that beige, no color? That doesn’t mean you can’t go out on a limb and work with an exterior painting company to find a bright, exciting color that works for your house.
Can’t settle on just one hue? Who says you have to!
Upgrade your walkways.
This is a totally approachable DIY so there’s no excuse for cracked pavers or uneven footing. Plus, there are about a million and one ideas for cool looking walkways made of stone, cement, interesting pavers, glass, and even solar powered brick lights. If you love the look of a traditional brick walkway, great. But consider something a little off the beaten… path!
Upgrade your front door.
Door manufacturer Therma-Tru found that upgrading the front door of a house increased the perceived value of a $190,000 home by almost $8,000. That’s great news for anyone putting their hour on the market this summer. But even if you’re not selling, making a few easy changes to your home’s main entryway can make your day-to-day feel brighter. You don’t even have to swap out your existing front door if you’re happy with it – a few coats of paint can make a big impact outside…
And inside, too…
Top it all off with something eye-catching.
Maybe it’s a big barn star on a relatively small exterior wall. Maybe it’s huge house numbers. A stand out monogram right on your front door. Or something else. An exterior conversation piece makes your home stand out from the rest of the houses on your block and makes it memorable. You’ll be a hallmark of the neighborhood.
Make 2015 the year you commit to not only beautifying your home’s exterior with paint or otherwise, but also making it your own!
Every Massachusetts exterior painting and interior painting project is different, and unlike other MA interior painting companies, we will always treat your house, building, or surface as one-of-a-kind. Call us for a free estimate at 978-546-6843.
Categorised in: Color Trends, Exterior painting, Fun stuff