Home Exterior Improvement Part 1: Clean Up Your Yard
Home Exterior Improvement Part 2: Small Things
Home Exterior Improvement Part 3: Doors and Windows
Home Exterior Improvement Part 4: Garage Doors
When prioritizing the needs of our home exterior improvement project, one of the factors is budget. How much are we willing to spend? Later in this series, we will take a look at some of the more “budget heavy” improvements but let’s now look at some small additions that will be very easy on the pocketbook and simple for you to do yourself.
These are just a few of the many small things that really do make a difference.
Lighting Fixtures
Replacing your old exterior light fixtures will make your porch or entrance really pop. Remember how much you complained about that old fixture when you first moved in, but then got used to it? Cheesy old brass lamps or fixtures that are in disrepair can easily be replaced, by you, at just the cost of the new fixture. If you have never done something like this before.
Door and Window Trim
If you have some basic cutting skills and tools, you may want to tackle adding or replacing the door or window trim, at least on the front of your home. If you have windows that are on an upper-floor and difficult to reach, we would recommend leaving this task to a professional tradesperson.
Granted, this task does take some steady hands and patience but it is well within the reach of Do-It-Yourselfers.
Here is one helpful tutorial.
Outdoor Furniture
Other than perhaps some furniture assembly, this one is easy. If you have a front porch or landing with enough space, adding chairs or small tables (or shelves, planters, etc) really can add a lovely personal touch to your entrance. You may have to make a few trips back and forth to your local store, to find the perfect colour and piece, but adding some outdoor furniture at your entrance, or even in your yard, can provide a nice visual element and can sometimes be practical too.
Even smaller, small things
House Numbers
Get rid of those ugly old house numbers and find a style and colour that is more in line with your plans for your exterior. If the shape of your current numbers is fine, consider a fresh coat of paint.
Door Knocker
So simple, this is an addition that if chosen well, will be noticed by everyone that comes to your door.
Welcome Mat
You may not currently have a welcome mat, or it may be old and worn. This functional item is another small thing that is very noticeable and worth the marginal cost.
I think we’ve determined that one does not have to dig deep into their pockets to do a few small upgrades that really give a nice visual lift to your exterior. Try to keep the big picture in mind, when updating items. If you plan to do a major task, such as painting or new doors and windows, then these smaller tasks are best to be done later. If you want to keep things low cost and don’t plan on a major overhaul, have some fun and take care of these (and other) high impact small upgrades.
