We all work hard. We all work long hours. We all dedicate a lot of our time and effort to raising our children with the love and attention they deserve; imparting the life lessons, values, and compassion that they need to become emotionally well rounded adults. Yet, while life can seem like a rat race to many of us, we are never too busy to make sure that our home is beautiful, clean, tidy, and welcoming. Yet as hard as we work on this, it inevitably comes from within. In our free time it’s a lot easier to clean, tidy, vacuum, mop, and polish than it is to hose down the brickwork, retouch the wood, or clean moss out of the pointing between our brickwork. Thus, while our interiors may be gorgeous, glamorous, clean, and tidy, out exteriors can lapse into a dishevelled state despite our diligent sensibilities.
If you are thinking of selling your home in the near future you may want to take steps to increase your home’s curb appeal or you may simply feel the need to make a concerted effort to ensure that the exterior of your home matches the interior. Nonetheless, giving your home’s exterior a facelift should not break the bank and in many cases it can add real value to your home.
Say It With Siding
There are many reasons why you should consider adding or refurbishing home siding. First of all there is the obvious curb appeal. It creates a neat and welcoming look that is practically zero maintenance, but as any home siding contractor will tell you, the aesthetic benefits are just the tip of the iceberg. The right siding can also seriously improve your home’s energy efficiency by sealing in heat during cold weather while allowing your home to stay cool when it is hot.
The Power Of Plants
Never underestimate the ability of some well positioned foliage to brighten up even the dreariest of exteriors. The great thing about using plants and flowers to make your exterior sparkle is that their versatility allows you to perfectly match your aesthetic to the look of your home and your budget. Planting a tree is a great way to make a statement, but if this is not realistic for you, simply a few flower boxes or hanging baskets here and there can make all the difference. Be sure to fill them with such low maintenance favorites as;
- Sweet potato plant: A vivid green and hardy creeper.
- White licorice: Adds a lovely sense of texture.
- Iresine: Also known as bloodleaf, they add a vivid splash of pink and can grow up to 18 inches tall.
- Babylon red verbena hybrid: A stunning combination of pink and green that attracts butterflies.
A Lick Of Paint
Does your front door say “Welcome, please come in!” or “Dude, back up right now, this place is probably haunted!”? Very often a fresh coat of paint is the only difference between these two very different statements.
Do Not Give Up On Your Guttering
Finally, it is important to make sure that your guttering is well looked after. This is more a matter of vigilance than hard work. Nonetheless, guttering full of birds’ nests, clods of Earth, or trails of ugly water stains can really cheapen the look of your home.
