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| Curb Appeal - Better Homes & Gardens |
Having been shut up for months with winter weather the arrival of Spring makes everyone want to open windows to let the fresh air in and freshen up the house. Before you begin changing window treatments or fluffing up throw pillows take a minute to step outside and look at the exterior of your home. This is the first impression guests - and yourself - have of your home and maybe a little sprucing up is in order.
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| Curb Appeal - Better Homes & Gardens |
A complete overhaul is not necessarily needed, time and budget are a consideration of course but something simple might be just the ticket. Easy changes can include new house numbers, overhead or side mounted light fixtures even a new lock set - now that's something you might not have thought of - any of these are fairly simple changes that can add new style and interest to your home.
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| Curb Appeal - Better Homes & Gardens |
Of course if time and budget allow there are other projects to consider, how about a complete new gutter system. In the second picture from the top a copper system was used, this of course is pricier than normal vinyl but what a dramatic statement it makes.
Another option would be to tile the entry steps and landing as in the picture above. Use one solid color or get creative by adding decorative tiles, either way it's another statement made and it's easy to clean, hose it off and bang your done.
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| Curb Appeal - Better Homes & Gardens |
Of course one way to freshen up curb appeal and completely update the look of your home is with an exterior facelift. New paint, siding or trim details automatically transform the look of a home, if you've had the same exterior color for awhile you might want to consider trying something different.
I really like the look of the color scheme used on the farmhouse style home pictured above - even set it as my desktop picture - so I did a little investigating and found the color recipe used. Apricot was used on the siding, glossy white paint highlights the home's vintage details and smoky gray was used to add visual weight to the front door and window sashes.
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| Curb Appeal - Better Homes & Gardens |
A couple of other ideas would be a fence or maybe a new mailbox but one item that's a must are planting beds. Shrubs and flowers can do so much for a home's appeal so if nothing else take the time to make sure yours show off your home in style.
If you don't already have planting beds consider putting some in but if you've already got them now is a good time to clean them up from their winter hiatus. Prune back existing plants possibly add something new, this also includes any type of edging you've used, maybe changing it out to something different. I love the rocks used in the picture above, however there are many different styles of pre-made edging to pick from.
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| Curb Appeal - Better Homes & Gardens |
Spring is the time of new, so let the outside of your home shine and say "Welcome" to family and friends.
