How to Update the Exterior of your Home on a Budget

Jupiterimages/ Getty Images

Even though the interiors of your home is where you live and play, the exterior of your home is what makes your house ‘shine’ to the neighbors! Although, many think to update the exterior of your home requires a big budget. On the contrary, details and overall curb appeal will boost the exterior of your home without having to spend a few paychecks for great results. Regardless of the time of year, there are always exterior improvements that you can do.

powerofforever/ Getty Images

• • Curb appeal can get you far: Before you spend a dime on your physical house, look at your yard, landscaping, sidewalk, and front entryway. In all of these areas, a few hours of yard work in tidying up your property can go a long way. Cut and trim grass or rake leaves and clear fallen tree debris around the yard. Conceal trash cans and recycle bins out of eyesight from the general public. Stand back across the street and see if new landscaping, mulching, or just general sweeping and tidying up the yard will make your home look better.

ShutterWorx/ Getty Images

• • Painting can go a long way: Depending on what your budget is, painting can give you a lot of bang for your buck. Whether you paint the entire house – for a stucco or wood siding home, or if you stick to the trim around windows and doors. Painting can give your home a whole new look without having to spend a lot. When painting- don’t forget picket fences around your yard, trim around the eaves of the roof, and replacing old gutters and downspouts may catapult the appeal of the exterior of your home.

David Papazian/ Getty Images

• • Updating the details: Once you have tackled the large extent of your home, updating details such as lighting fixtures, shutters, and house numbers can be affordable and lend to a beautiful exterior of your home. Front entry door hardware and house mounted mailboxes are also a great place to start. Consider using new metal finishes, or different decorative styled lighting fixtures at your garage and/or front entry. Similarly to changing plumbing fixtures in your bathroom, exterior details will add the crowning touches for a minimal amount of cost.

Fotosearch/ Getty Images

• • Add charm: The strongest appeal to any home is adding bits of charm that welcome you from the street. Add individualized details that will make your home unique from the neighbors. Window boxes of artificial or real plants outside of windows, or adding a sitting bench and subtle walkway lighting can boost the exterior appeal instantly. If you have a large front porch, add furniture, outdoor area rugs, and wall décor to bring the indoors out.

jgareri/ Getty Images

The exterior of your home deserves the same attention to detail as the interior. Although we forget about it once we are living inside the house, exterior and curb appeal are essential for neighborhood appeal and trying to sell your home. Remember, your entire home is one entity and for minimal cost, you can update the exterior, and feel good about it. Who knows, you may inspire your neighbors to do the same!

Freshome readers tell us how you have updated the exterior of your home on a budget