Easy ways to spruce up a home’s exterior

By Mary Carol Garrity

I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but as a decorating enthusiast, it’s particularly hard for me to not judge a home by its exterior.

That’s where you create your first impression and let people know what they can expect inside.

 

Is your home’s exterior creating the impression you’d like? If not, the good news is that you don’t have to do a lot of work or spend a pile of cash to make your home the shining star of your neighborhood. Often, it’s the little details that make the difference.

I’ve noticed that one single feature draws me like a magnet: a fabulous front-door treatment. Show me a drop-dead gorgeous door, and I’m covered in goose bumps.

Before you tackle your door treatment, first stand back and do an honest evaluation of your home’s front elevation. Are you dazzled by the exterior lighting? If not, perhaps it’s time for new light fixtures.

Does the hardware on your door look like it has had a hard-knockslife? Does it lack character and charm? If so, consider installing a new doorknocker, handle or kick plate.

How about the color? If your paint is faded or just plain blah, pop open a can of paint and treat your door to a new hue.

Once your home’s entrance looks its best, bring on the door decor. This summer, consider dressing up your door with something out of the ordinary, like a hanging mirror, a lantern, a basket filled with flowers or a clock. Or, look for a beautiful wreath, the gold standard.

If outdoor furnishings look a bit worn or lackluster, brighten them up with new paint. I took a boring wooden hutch, and with a coat of black paint transformed it into an attractive display case and bar that serves as the focal point of my porch.

 

You can’t miss when you paint outdoor furnishings classic colors like black, white or cream. But if you’re feeling adventurous, crack open a can of today’s hot colors and have fun. Paint your wooden garden bench apple green, then toss on some navy-and-white pillows. Or jazz up your wrought-iron dining set with a coat of periwinkle blue, purple or tangerine paint.

If your cushions and pillows are looking shabby, treat yourself to some new ones this year. A friend of mine created a sensational look on her outdoor patio using the three colors I’m most crazy about this season: black, cream and apple green. For her seat cushions and pillows, she mixed three black-and-cream fabrics — an old-fashioned ticking, a fat stripe and a wonderful abstract floral. Then she added a jolt with apple green, brought in through pillows and accents.

 

Need help cleaning your homes exteriors, whether it be wood fence or deck restoration, brick, concrete sidewalks & driveways, stucco, and/or tile cleaning contact the professional pressure washers at Action Pressure Washing

925-284-3301 or visit us online at www.actionpressurewashing.com  

 

This column has been adapted from Mary Carol Garrity’s blog at www.nellhills.com.