This post was originally published on DIY Network’s blog Made + Remade in June 2015.
Sometimes when I arrive home I stop and look at the front of my home as any passersby would see it from the street. Do you do that too? When you live so much of your life on the inside, it’s easy to overlook simple things that would make your home look more inviting, polished, and well-maintained. Take a day this weekend and work to make your home’s first impression upon others a great one.
Edge the driveway and sidewalks. Use a classic edging tool, or something with a little more power to get the job done and keep your walkways looking sharp.
Mow the lawn, and fertilize. Large areas of grass in my own yard are shaded by trees. I’ve been working to gradually improve its resilience; implementing these tips for growing grass in the shade is helping a lot. This problem isn’t going to be solved in a weekend, but a little bit of effort goes a long way.
Take this for instance: Are you due for a downpour? Add lime to the grass in your yard so that it absorbs quickly into the soil with the rain. It will improve your soil Ph, and your grass and plants will definitely benefit. We spread lime this spring in a test area in our yard, and the grass is both greener and more lush.
Clean up extra leaves scattered around the lawn and ground cover. A leaf blower makes it easy (and admittedly, pretty fun). My new dream tool? A leaf collector, so I can gather the fallen leaves into one spot in the yard, and then vacuum them all up without having to bag them.
Also fun, pressure washing! Maintaining your vinyl siding is important. I take soap, a scrubber brush with an extended handle, and the pressure washer to the vinyl siding on my home every year to keep it looking clean and dust free. Trust me – every year, it really needs it, and if your home is close to a busy road, vehicles may kick up enough dust to warrant two or three cleanings each year.
Clean all of the screens, the windows, and the window trim. Pollen, webs, and dust collect on screens regularly. Clean fiberglass or aluminum screens are easier to see out of from indoors, and help to make your windows look well-maintained from the exterior. If you have worn out, discolored, or tears on your entryway door screen, you can replace the screen in less than an hour. It will help improve the appearance of the entrance.
Update your doorbell, or door knocker. These aren’t features you use everyday, but consider the mailman or the new houseguest – the finishing touches promise to impress.
Prune the trees. Low hanging or broken branches block line of sight from the road. Sometimes having more privacy is a good thing, but thinned-out, trimmed-back trees also present a very well-maintained property. For branches overhead, use a pole saw. For large branches out of reach, rent a cherry picker or consult with the pros.
Go for low-maintenance edging. Transplanted groundcover will grow more robust over time; for immediate impact, plant annuals in your yard for curb appeal.
Get more tips on improving your curb appeal in these easy how-to articles!
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