You don’t have to spend a fortune to make the exterior of your home look good. Plenty of little improvements can make the outside of a property shine out among others in the neighborhood. A strategic approach with a sense of creativity is all it takes.
If you want to make some adjustments to your home’s outer appearance but haven’t got a big budget to work with, this is the article for you. We’ve listed our favorite 6 easy exterior upgrades that will breathe some new life into your property for a relatively low cost.
Opt for Metal Siding
Metal siding has become a hot trend on properties in recent years, and boy, does it make a home look good. While different factors affect the price of it, on average, you can find cheap options of between $1 and $3 per square foot.
The cheapest type of metal siding tends to be tin, which has a lifespan of around 15 years, but if you look after it, you might get longer. If you don’t mind spending a bit more on things that will last longer, consider copper, which can last over 100 years.
To make sure your investment lasts, you should learn how to clean metal roofs and sidings. You’ll have to remove anything that’s stuck on it, scrub it with soap and water, and rinse it down with a hose thoroughly.
Consider a Landscape Feature
Photo credit: Ronnie George
One of the most affordable ways you can remodel your backyard is with a landscape feature. Adding a small patch of natural vegetation can add a beautiful side to your garden and install a sense of tranquility that was never there before.
The way you approach this will depend on the layout of your garden. Since you’re trying to keep the price down, think of simple additions like planting some colorful flowers in a small gap or using a pallet as a pot placer.
So you keep your spending to a minimum, be sure to shop for your supplies at locally owned stores rather than big chains; they tend to have cheaper prices.
Play with Mason Jar Lanterns
Hiring someone to install lighting throughout your garden can cost quite a lot of money. But one easy DIY project idea that won’t break the bank is using mason jar lanterns as an alternative.
Mason Jar Lanterns are very easy to make on your own. Go to the supermarket, buy some products with big jars, empty them, and clean them out; half of the job is already done. Next, it’s time to give your jar a design; choose a color that matches the theme of your garden.
Once the jar is ready, add the light and tie a wire to it, and there you go, you’ve just made your lantern.
Hang your lanterns up across your fences or make a few of them to bring some light to a landscaping feature. You have complete freedom to get as creative as you like with them.
Add a Porch Swing
Your porch is an easy place to start when updating the exterior of your home; a straightforward addition you can go for is a porch swing.
Setting up a porch swing adds character to your deck and gives visitors a unique place to sit. When it comes to summertime, the price of porch swings shoots up since the weather is nice, but if you buy in the winter, you can find some bargains. Alternatively, you could try to build one yourself if you’ve got the skills.
The cheapest types of porch swings are the ones made with plastic and metal. However, you’ll get some good deals if you opt for one made with cheap wood, like pine or fit.
Paint Your Doors
Add some color to your doors to make your home stand out on your block. Consider shades that blend nicely with the color scheme of your property, like a baby blue house with a light red door. If you really want to catch the attention of passersby, go for a bright color that’s distinctive and striking, like bright yellow or a nice shade of orange.
Photo credit: Thirsty Turf Irrigation
You don’t have to be a professional painter to give your door a makeover, but make sure you approach it with precision so you don’t ruin it. Get the right equipment, prepare properly, and don’t let the paint get on the other shade on your house wall, or you’ll have to repaint it.
Take Advantage of Your Fences
Fencing shouldn’t just be used to mark a boundary in your garden; it can also be used to create a stylish focal point. To keep things clean and basic, a little decoration like a trellis with some gorgeous climbing plants can go a long way. Or, if you need some extra storage, why not construct some shelves? Build them so they can hold things that take up space, like your plant pots, but infuse some beauty into the fence at the same time.
Higher fences can even be transformed into a section for wall art. You could add some paint and make a mural with colors that blend with the design. To give it the attention you want, set up some lights surrounding it when it’s dark; that way, people will notice it no matter the time of day.
If you don’t have an existing fence but plan to install one, you should consider an aluminum or wrought iron fence and customize it to fit your home’s design. Just remember to stick to your budget, choose the right materials, and contractor and you’re good to go!
Give Your Home’s Exterior a Unique Flair for Less With These Cheap Features
You’ve reached the end of our affordable, easy exterior upgrades; it’s up to you now to choose the right solution for your home. Stick to basics with a new shade of paint for your doors, or go all out with metal siding; oh, decisions. Where will your revamp take you?
Some of these additions only take a couple of hours to pull off, while others involve more planning. Regardless of the time and effort it takes, it’s bound to look better than ever once it’s finished.
For more useful tips and expert advice on how to enhance your home, visit IllustrArch. Explore a wealth of information to help you make informed decisions and elevate your living spaces.
