This article is sponsored by, Residential Designed Solutions

Considering today’s stressed economy, you may be thinking refresh instead of relocate.

Of course, what you are able to do depends on your budget, as a complete face lift is much more expensive than just redecorating the entry. The following tips were gathered with all kinds of budgets in mind, and all of them will give your house unquestionable curb appeal.

A To-Do List That Requires A Little Effort But Minimal Cost

• Cleaning out gutters and wiping off windows makes a big difference.
• Pressure wash walks to remove mold & mildew.
• Edge sidewalks and remove any vegetation growing between concrete and bricks.
• Recharge your lawn; fertilize, annuals and ground-cover around the trees, this defines the yard’s borders and creates a sharp focal point.
• Garage your car: Many of us turn our garages into storage rooms and park our cars in the driveway where they can clutter the view of the house. If this is the case with your household, maybe it’s time to pare down the paraphernalia to make room for the vehicles.

Painting: The Next Level Of Sprucing Up Your Home

• Fresh paint for siding, trim, and shutters – a bolder color will make a huge difference in appearance
• Semi-gloss paint in a complimentary color (trim and shutters) adds sparkle to your home
• Refinish or repaint the front door and add new or refinished hardware -
  Nothing looks worse than a weathered and stained brass kick plate
• Repaint or replace your mailbox if needed as it’s usually the first thing your guests see

Don’t Forget How Your House Looks At Night

Most of the following projects can be competed by the homeowner, and supplies are available through local home improvement centers. However, if you’re not comfortable working with electrical wiring, hire a licensed electrician to do it for you. It’s not worth the risk!

• Add solar powered or low voltage lighting along your sidewalk to guide your guests to the front door
• Add up-lighting to illuminate trees, corners of the house or important landscaping elements
• Add a decorative post lamp or replace that worn out light fixture on your front porch; when choosing a design consider existing fixtures and try to match them as closely as possible

There Are Many Things You Can Do Architecturally To Enhance The Image Of Your Home

• Add flower boxes to your windows; consider including a irrigation system to keep the flowers blooming and to conserve water
• If you are lucky enough to have a front porch, make it inviting by adding a planter for extra color or chairs or rockers if space allows
• If you don’t have a porch, consider adding one – nothing says “home” like a covered entry. Check on your local zoning to learn about any size limits or codes that may demand some customizations
• Adding additional trim such as crown molding or porch railings increases the level of exterior detail which adds to the curb appeal
• Consider adding shutters if your homes style permits, they should be equal to half the width of the window and they are offered in many styles and materials
• Create visual interest with front-yard gardens, fences, stone walls, arbors or water features
• Sometimes changing cladding materials can upgrade the look of your home. If you have an all vinyl siding home, adding some stucco stone or even some vertical Board & Batten siding can significantly upgrade your home’s appearance

More Substantial Renovations Will Be Specific To The Design And Style Of Your Home

It’s possible to add roof dormers and cupolas and to even change roof lines completely in the process of remodeling or adding on to your home. Now is the time to get started, so decide what you want to tackle first so that every step takes you closer to your goal!