Before and After: DIY Facelifts for 8 Home Exteriors
—Jennifer Noonan
As warm weather arrives and you emerge into the light of spring, you may become suddenly aware of all the unsightly or dreary areas that mar your home’s exterior. Don’t get overwhelmed! Before the outdoor season gets into full swing, try one of these quick and easy fixes that can make a huge improvement in the face your home presents to the world.
1. Paint Your Front Door
Photo: charmingzebra.com
The front door makes a big impression—it’s the first and last thing visitors see. Painting your door is a quick and low-cost way to instantly boost curb appeal. Whether you go with a stately classic like black or a bright pop of color like yellow or red, a fresh coat of paint will instantly spiff up a tired exterior.
RELATED: 10 Welcoming Front Door Paint Colors
2. Make Your Porch an Outdoor Room
Photo: abeautifulmess.com
Sometimes all you need to do is add decorative elements to transform a space from blah to beautiful. This front porch becomes a bona fide extra room in warm weather, thanks to the addition of a rug, outdoor furniture, throw pillows, and plants.
RELATED: 9 Budget-Friendly Ways to Revive Your Porch for Summer
3. Update Your Address
Photo: balancinghome.com
Add a little art to the front of your home with a DIY house number upgrade. This graphically assertive sign required just a board and a little paint that was already on hand, along with some stencils for the numbers. The results are bold—the pizza delivery guy will never miss this house again.
RELATED: 11 House Numbers to Count On for Curb Appeal
4. Hide Your Electrical Box
Photo: loveoffamilyandhome.net
Practical components like utility boxes and gas meters are a necessary evil, but do they have to be so ugly? Actually… no. Camouflage your service points by painting them with exterior paint in a shade that matches your siding. They may not completely disappear, but they will definitely blend in, improving the overall look of your home.
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5. Lay Out the Landscaping
Photo: loveoffamilyandhome.net
Creating a small, modestly planted landscaping bed will make the side of your house look tidy and and add color your home’s exterior. Recreate the cheerful transformation with some inexpensive edging, weed barrier, mulch, and plants.
RELATED: On the Edge: 16 Garden Borders You Can Make
6. Hang New Shutters
Photo: livethehomelife.com
Fresh, new shutters can almost instantly enhance your home’s curb appeal. Swapping these weary, boring white eyesores for some new board-and-batten cedar shutters made a huge impact on this facade.
RELATED: 10 Easy Curb Appeal Updates
7. Perk Up Your Pathway
Photo: zenshmen.blogspot.com
A modern pathway makeover doesn’t have to be expensive or require professional labor. This walk was installed right on top of the old concrete path. The project can be completed in a half day, using simple tools and supplies from a big-box hardware store. The result is a sensational improvement that makes the house even more welcoming.
RELATED: The Right Path—15 Wonderful Walkway Designs
8. Upgrade Your Mailbox
Photo: beneathmyheart.net
The mailbox may not seem like a big contributor to curb appeal, and it’s often just an afterthought in home construction. This makeover is so much easier than it looks, accomplished by simply fitting a cast-stone surround over a 4x4 post.
