Your home should be your sanctuary, a place where you can relax, and somewhere you are proud to live. That is why you should take a weekend to spruce it 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 curb appeal. One of the first steps you should take is to clean surfaces with a hard surface cleaner to remove the buildup of moss and debris. Alternatively, you could 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 landscaping, draw out a design and take it to your local garden nursery, as they can help you out 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. It’s worth contacting a company like Viking Concrete and Power Washing that can repair any cracks or clean it so it looks fresh and tidy. They can also give you advice on choosing which driveway is adequate for your property, assessing 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 is another popular driveway option, primarily due to its low price. However, it cracks regularly, and if you want to keep its beautiful black color, you’ll have to redo the surface every few years.
- Gravel is the cheapest option. 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 be easily replaced.
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.
