Could the outside of your
home use a little pick-me-up? If the outside of your house, your garden and
your landscaping aren’t exactly enhancing the curb appeal of your house, don’t
worry. There are lots of ways you can transform your home’s exterior by taking
on some do-it-yourself projects that are fun and easy to do.
The trick to transforming
the exterior of your home is to envision what you want it to look like.
Identify problem areas and think about what you want the area to look like
instead. Then, find creative ways to make that happen. Here are a few ideas to
get you started.
Add Shutters
Shutters can add a lot to
the outside of a home. They can take windows from boring boxes to interesting
features of the home. Look for shutters in a colour that complements the
colours already on your home and that fit the same style. There is a big
variety of shutter options available at most hardware stores, so chances are
you will find some that work for you.
Make this a DIY project by
buying unfinished shutters and giving them a custom paint job or simply hanging
them yourself this weekend.
Lay a Garden Pathway
If you have a larger
garden, you can create your own garden pathway to make it easier to navigate
and to add some charm and beauty. You can buy pavers, bricks or stones at your
hardware store and then clear an area in your garden for them. Or, you can pour cement into any mould you want for your own unique look.
Try pressing things like
leaves, sticks, objects around the house or door mats into the cement while it
is wet to give it a different texture and design.
Install Window Boxes
Window boxes are another
element that adds a lot to your home’s windows. They add colour and life to an
area that is often overlooked. Window boxes are also charming and classy and
can make your home look polished and put together.
You can easily install your
own window boxes and then plant whatever kind of flowers or greenery you
want inside.
Arrange Potted Plants on Your Porch
If your porch is looking a
little bare, use some potted plants to give it new life. Find some interesting
and unique pots at your hardware store or take it a step further and create
your own planters. You can make planters with anything from old cartons to old
food containers or buckets.
Arrange the plants
strategically with bigger ones near the back and smaller ones in the front. Use
plenty of pots and plants grouped closely together for an especially lush look.
Hang a Wreath from the Door
Anyone, regardless of how
crafty he or she is, can make a wreath. A wreath hanging from the front door
will make you home look cozy and feel inviting. Start with a wreath form from
you craft store and then use silk or live flowers, leaves, twigs and berries to
create a custom wreath. This project is great because you can easily change it
out each season to give your door an updated look.
Create some DIY Lawn Decorations
Making your own lawn
decorations can be a fun and creative way to make your home more visually
appealing. With some creativity you can create anything from fountains out of
old flower pots to borders out of stones for your garden. You can also use
colourful pipes to line your gardens or to create modern art in your yard or on
the side of your house. What's more important is to always take care of your lawn and garden - not just during the summer months!
Give Your Mailbox a Makeover
Is your mailbox boring? If
you have one of those run-of-the-mill boxes that looks like every other mailbox
on your street, give it a makeover. Your can treat and then paint your mailbox
with outdoor paint, which can instantly breathe new life into it. Don’t forget
to give some attention to the base were you can add decorative rocks, lawn
decorations or plants.
In just one weekend you can
transform the exterior of your home with these DIY projects. Start by
identifying the area that needs the most work, and then use things like paint,
lawn decorations, outdoor features and plants to bring it back to life.