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  • Writer's pictureDave Dail

Spruce up your home’s exterior this summer without spending a lot of money. Below is a list of 5 simple updates for your exterior. They are simple in execution and they are not expensive to complete. A win, win for any homeowner.


1. Update the Front Door

Updating your front door is one of the most impactful ways to freshen up your home’s

exterior. Because the front door is the entry to your home, when it is well kept, clean it before you even step foot into the home.


When was the last time it was painted? Can you choose a new color and create a different look for your home’s exterior? Paint is simple and fairly inexpensive.


What about the handle? Can you update the handle? Is it a brassy handle from the late 90s? Remove your old handle and swap it out for a more modern one.


Between a handle and a new coat of paint you can have a brand new front door without buying a new one. Your guests and neighbors will notice when they pass by.


2. Update shutters or Trim around Windows

Older shutters or windows can make your home look old. Just because your windows look older doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to replace them.


How do you update windows that may not be ready to replace?


What about trimming them out or adding shutters? Sometimes you can change the entire look of your home by changing the overall look of the windows.


Exterior shutters can be found in pairs on average from about $55. It may cost a few hundred to get what you need for your home but replacing old run down ones will make your home look newer.

3. Update Outdoor Lighting

Lighting is some of the most obvious eye sores when it is outdated. Changing out lighting is also one of the easiest projects to update that makes the biggest difference.


Exterior lights can make a huge difference when looking to update the outside of your home. There are a few benefits to choosing outdoor lights to replace.


Typically, there are not too many outdoor lights to replace. If you’re following a budget, you can choose some nicer lights because you do not need too many of them.


Lighting is a small but important detail. If you have brassy lighting, everyone knows your home is from the 90’s and is outdated. Swap out your old lighting, and suddenly your home looks newer.


If you’re unsure about how to swap out your outdoor lighting, hire out an electrician. The difference will be worth it.


4. Planter Boxes

Planter boxes are a great way to update the space around your home without too much effort. You can have larger ones around the yard or even smaller ones on or around your front porch.


You can plant annual flowers that can be changed out with each new season. It is a seasonal subtle decor to brighten up your home.


Planter boxes can also add their own decorative element aside from what is planted in it. Use wooden boxes and paint them to go with your exterior paint colors. Or find large ceramic pots that add their own element to your exterior.


5. Upgrade Your House Numbers

This is probably the easiest, cheapest and least time consuming exterior update.


House numbers are cheap and found at your local hardware store. With a screwdriver, you can replace the faded, worn and chipping numbers with brand new ones that match your lighting.


However, you can spend a bit more and get some artistic numbers. Some house numbers come with led lights behind them that make them illuminate from the back. You can also spend a little more and get creative and custom house numbers made.


Conclusion

It is the little details that can make a difference within the exterior of your home. Upgrading the details of these exterior characteristics is simple. The projects are also inexpensive. You can have an upgraded exterior look without spending a large amount of money.


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