Spring is here. It’s not as big of a deal here in southern California as it is in other parts of the country where they have spent the last few months shoveling snow and being wrapped in heavy sweaters and winter coats. Along with tulips and visits from the Easter Bunny, spring also brings thoughts of “spring cleaning”.
If you’re so motivated by this annual passage, think about the outside of your home too. Improving the curb appeal of your home can vary from projects that take a few hours to some that take a few days. These projects not only protect your investment, they also increase the value of your home and ultimately help your entire community. After tackling the basics (removing the cobwebs from the corners near the front door and from inside the light fixtures, washing the garage door, etc.), take a look at your home with a critical eye. Updating the hardware (house numbers, the entry door lockset, a wall-mounted mailbox, and the lighting at your front door) are all elements that can add style and interest to your home’s exterior. When these elements function collectively, it’s aesthetically pleasing.
Repainting your front door is another way to improve the visual interest to your home. A new bold color, or refreshing the paint that is already there, will improve the look of your front door. The front door is the focal point of your home’s curb appeal. As a final touch, dress up your doors with a swag or wreath that reflects your personal style. Placing potted plants or flowers near the front door also brings visual interest to your home. Remember, your entry should reflect your home’s interior.
Take this time to inspect the landscaping around your home. Pull the pesky weeds that have taken up residence. Prune shrubs and add new plants and flowers for a quick pop of color. Adding mulch to your planters “finishes” landscaping the way a strand of pearls completes a little black dress, or the way a colorful tie sets off a suit.
New lights along a walkway, or up or down lighting, highlights landscaping and brings attention to those areas that otherwise are lost at night. Not only do these lights bring a dramatic look to your home they can also increase the security of your home. Adding lighting doesn’t need to be an expensive endeavor that requires new wiring. Solar lighting systems have been greatly improved from their introduction years and are a nice alternative for us living in sunny southern California.
Whatever task you decide to take on, whether it’s landscaping, lighting or updating your hardware, remember the eye loves symmetry. After all of your trips to the hardware store or garden center and after you’ve removed the paint and earth from under your nails, grab your favorite beverage and take a minute to revel in a “job well done”. You will be thankful you did it and so will your neighbors.
