Your home should be your sanctuary. It should be where you can go to relax. It should be somewhere you are proud to live. That is why you should take a weekend to spruce it back up when the exterior is run down, either due to how the previous owners treated it or simply due to wear and tear. You can be proud of your home no matter your budget, and here are a few ideas to help you get started.
Your Exterior
The exterior of your home should be your priority when it comes to improving your curb appeal. One of the first steps you should take is to hire a power washer and clean off the dirt on the exterior. Once you have cleaned your property, you can either let it be or repaint it for a fresh look. Whatever you choose to do, the surface needs to be cleaned first.
Your Landscaping
Landscaping can make a huge difference in the curb appeal of your property, but you don’t have to go all out if that’s beyond your budget. Redoing the lawn can do wonders, even just adding lawn seed. If you want to try your hand at landscaping, draw out a design and take it to your local garden nursery, as they can help you out with which plants are ideal for your property.
Your Driveway
Your driveway likely takes up a lot of prime real estate on your property, which is why it can severely bring down the overall quality of your home when it’s broken, stained, or otherwise ugly. Choosing which driveway is adequate for your property will depend on your preferences, budget, and location:
- Concrete Concrete is a very popular option for many reasons. It’s typically very durable – especially when you use concrete driveway sealer to prevent common stains early on – affordable and requires the least maintenance. It’s ideal if summers get very hot where you live, as the concrete reflects light more than asphalt and costs less than brick or cobblestone options. It’s also great for kids to play on, as it’s a smooth surface and can be drawn with chalk.
- Asphalt Asphalt is another popular driveway option, primarily due to its low price. It does, however, crack regularly, and if you want to keep it that beautiful black color, you’ll have to redo the surface every few years.
- Gravel Gravel is the cheapest option you can go for. It’s ideal for rural areas where you might have a road or long driveway on your property, but not for properties in residential neighborhoods.
- Cobblestone or Brick These options can be expensive but are the most intricate. Cobblestone and brick can be made into interesting patterns and are very durable – if cracks or breaks occur, this can either add to the appeal or switch out easily.
You deserve to be proud of where you live, and with a little can-do attitude and some weekend projects, you can have a home you are proud of in no time.
