No one’s home is perfect, and that includes yours. Some might call it cozy and lived-in, but others might just say it’s dated. If you’re ready to modernize your home’s exterior, there are plenty of projects you can do yourself on a budget. Here are seven tips for updating your house without breaking the bank.
A few changes can make a big difference.
Just a few small changes can make a big difference. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars or hire professionals to update the exterior of your home. A fresh coat of paint, new planters, and even an outdoor umbrella can update your space for less than $100 in materials.
You could change out your front door for an updated look with a DIY project like this one: Front Door Styles That Will Instantly Update Your Home. You might also consider painting the trim or siding on your home with a neutral color that blends well with most other colors. Iron railings will give any porch or deck an instant upgrade!
Your options are endless when it comes to refreshing your exterior without breaking the bank!
New color
When it comes to exterior paint, you’ll want to choose a neutral color that goes with everything. You can also go with white or light gray if you have the right tone. A big trend right now is using colorful shutters, which are actually easy to do yourself and very affordable! Just remember that if you’re going for timeless appeal, stick to these shades of gray:
- Black
- Charcoal
- Blue-Gray
- Sandstone Beige/Light Tone
Fresh flowers are an easy way to spruce up the exterior of your home.
Fresh flowers are the perfect way to add color and texture to the exterior of your home. They can be expensive, but if you grow them yourself in pots or containers, it’s easy to keep a wide variety of flowers around without spending too much.
Flowers are also great for attracting bees and butterflies, which will make your garden look lush and healthy. If you’re looking for beautiful blooms without having to spend too much money, consider planting native plants from your area—they often require less maintenance than imported varieties because they’re naturally adapted to the environment where they grow (and sometimes don’t even need watering!).
Remove weeds and rake leaves
One of the first things you’re going to want to do is remove any weeds from your lawn, which can be a quick job if you use a weed killer. If you don’t have access to weed killer or have concerns about using chemicals around your home, there are many effective organic options available at local hardware stores.
Next, rake up the leaves that accumulated in the fall and dispose of them. Use a leaf blower or rake them into piles before bagging them up for trash collection. It doesn’t take long at all!
Repair uneven pathways, steps, driveways, and patios.
To repair an uneven path or driveway, use a level to check for low spots. If you find any, apply concrete leveling compound with a notched trowel and allow it to dry. Then use a concrete saw to cut off the high spots. Next, use a hand tamper or vibrating plate compactor on the new surface with 1/2-inch chipping stones (this is much like applying frosting to a cake).
Trim bushes, trees, and hedges that are overgrown.
Trimming overgrown bushes, trees, and hedges is another way to modernize your home’s exterior. Trimming bushes, trees, and hedges can make your home look more modern. It’s also a good idea to trim bushes and hedges in the spring when they have just leafed out and are at their full size but not yet filled with leaves. You should also avoid blooming plants because these will block windows or doors on days when you want them open for sunlight and air circulation.
Trimming bushes, trees, and hedges is a simple DIY project that anyone can do safely with some basic tools like hedge clippers or loppers (there are many options available online). If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, hire someone who has experience with landscaping maintenance services like trimming shrubs around homes so that your landscape looks great year-round!
Change out your old house numbers with new ones.
If you have an old house number that is hard to read, it’s time to replace it! This is a super easy DIY project that will make your home look modern and beautiful.
- Make sure your address is visible from the street. If you live on a busier street or in an apartment building, it may be necessary to get custom house numbers made. The good news is that they’re not as expensive as they used to be! You can find basic sets on eBay or Amazon (or even at your local hardware store) for under $20.
- Install the new ones yourself—it’s pretty straightforward once you’ve got them in hand! Just make sure the address is facing toward the curb so cars don’t drive right past without noticing it first (you’ll want these for emergency vehicles). You can also take this opportunity now if there are any other types of signage missing from around your house—like smoke detectors or lights—and add those too while everything is open!
Deck out your door with a wreath that coordinates with the seasons.
Wreaths are a great way to add color, texture, and interest to your door. They can be made from a variety of materials, including dried flowers, branches, leaves, and other natural materials. Wreaths can be hung on the inside or outside of your door. There are plenty of options available if you want something that matches the seasons for spring/summer or fall/winter.
Cover up eyesores such as fixtures, vents, or pipes with planters.
A recurring theme in the home renovation world is that you can never have too many planters. The reason? They’re versatile, stylish, and can be used for a variety of purposes.
Planters are great for hiding unsightly things on your home’s exterior, like pipes or vents. You don’t need to pay an electrician or plumber to hide them behind panels; simply plant some flowers in a planter to disguise any ugliness!
They also make your home look more modern by breaking up the monotony of flat surfaces and walls. Most importantly, they’ll give you an excuse to spend more time outside!
Conclusion
You don’t have to spend a fortune on your home’s exterior to make it look fresh and appealing. With just a few simple DIY projects, you can give your house a new lease on life.
