I’m sure I’m not alone when I say the winter months seem to go on, and on, and on. I know you have probably tried to cover every window in your home (or at least your bay windows) in an effort to keep that January chill out. And when you didn’t stop there, you also squealed with delight over the return of spring weather. Well, I hope you did, because it means that spring is here! So put on your boots (or your sandals depending on where you live) and head outside.
In spring, homeowners become rejuvenated by the outdoor air and turn their attention to the outside of their homes. These home improvement projects range from updating the landscaping to adding an outdoor kitchen and barbeque area. Spring also brings with it a longing for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and of course, grilling out. I’ve put together a list of home improvement projects along with suggestions for activities that will benefit you in spring and summer.
Wash down the deck
Before you set out to wash your deck, make sure you have all the supplies you need. You’ll need a garden hose with an adjustable nozzle, a broom, and a safe place to drain any excess water. You can also use a power washer if you have one — just be careful not to damage the wood.
Start by sweeping off any dirt or debris from the surface of your deck with a broom. Next, attach a nozzle to your hose and set it on mist mode. If you don’t have mist mode, adjust the setting so the water is coming out slowly but steadily. Start at one end of your deck and work toward the other side.
When you’re done washing down your deck, drain off any excess water in a safe place like a plant bed or sidewalk. Finally, let your deck dry completely before walking on it again.
Get ready for sunnier days with a fresh and bright coat of paint
It’s spring and the weather is getting warmer. The days are longer, the flowers are in bloom, and the sun is shining. It’s time to get out your paint brushes and get rid of the grays, blacks and browns from winter.
A fresh coat of paint can make a huge difference in a room. Painting your walls can be a great way to update a home without spending tons of money on new furniture or flooring.
Home decorating trends come and go, but one thing remains constant: Color is king when it comes to painting your interior walls. Whether it’s bold or subtle, dark or light, color can really make a space feel different. The easiest way to bring in a new look with paint is simply to change up the hue.
The best place to start when picking out a color scheme is your room’s dominant feature — be it a big piece of furniture like an armoire, graphic art on the walls or even an impressive window view. The dominant feature in your room will serve as an anchor for everything else around it. So if you have a large bay window in your living room, choose colors that complement and draw attention to that part of the room before choosing colors for other parts of the space.
Add fresh plant life to soften up your outdoor space
Spring is here, and if you’ve got a few extra bucks to spend on home improvements, the time is ripe to do some landscaping. One of the best ways to make your home look more livable is to add some plants. Sure, there are plenty of other home makeover ideas out there, but if you’re going to invest in one area, put your money into greenery that will beautify your property and add appeal.
This also is one of the easiest ways for homeowners to freshen up their homes without breaking the bank. Here are tips for getting started:
Start small. It’s tempting to want to make a big splash with your first foray into landscaping, but it’s better to start small and build up from there. After all, you do have to care for these plants as well. You can always add more plants later on.
Focus on the front of the house first. Most people see the front of a home first when they pull up, so it’s important that this side looks sharp. A fresh coat of paint or some new window treatments are great ways to spruce up this part of the house, but adding some greenery will do wonders as well.
Choose plants that fit your personality and needs. Not everyone is going to want a lawn or a flower garden in their yard.
Install New Lighting
Lighting upgrades are one of the best ways to give your home a fresh look without a major remodel. Simple changes, such as replacing old light fixtures and bulbs with new ones can make a huge impact.
New fixtures, light bulbs, and other lighting elements can make a big difference in a home. Consider using dimmer switches to adjust your lighting to suit the mood or activity in each room. Installing new overhead lighting can brighten up dark corners. If you have good natural light in your home, consider installing window treatments such as shades, blinds, or awnings to help limit harsh sun rays during the hot summer months.
Get the Yard Ready for Summer
Spring is the perfect time to get your yard ready for summer. Here are a few things you can do now to help your yard look its best:
First, clean up all the debris in your yard. Take care of any overgrown weeds and clear out any fallen leaves or branches from last fall. If you have any dead or dying trees and shrubs, remove them because they’re not only unattractive but also dangerous. You may want to hire a professional arborist to handle this for you; if so, make sure that person is reputable and licensed.
Next, give your lawn a good aerating. This will help it breathe and grow better by removing compaction from the soil. You can rent an aerator from places like Home Depot or Lowe’s (which has a free weekend rental program). Or, if you have a lot of soil compaction (you’ll know because it will be hard in some spots), you can rent a core aerator, which will go deeper into the ground and break down more soil.
It’s important to have privacy in your backyard, but there are several different ways to go about doing this. A fence is a great option, especially if you have kids or pets who need to be kept safe from roaming animals. However, fences can be expensive and hard to install by yourself. If you want something less expensive, try installing vertical blinds or other means of blocking out unwanted views.
Finally, hang some decorations and bird feeders around the yard to turn your yard into a nature-friendly sanctuary!
Clean out the gutters
The gutter is the channel that carries water from the roof of your house to the ground and prevents water from leaking into your home. Gutters are made of different materials, depending on where you live, such as aluminum, lead or a combination of both. Over time, gutters can wear out and debris can clog them up, preventing them from working properly. Cleaning out gutters is an important part of spring maintenance. Make sure leaves don’t block downspouts or drain into the foundation.
Pressure wash your house
Do you want to save money on your next home remodeling project? Then pressure wash your house before you start.
Pressure washing is one of the best and least expensive ways to clean a house from top to bottom. Not only will it make your entire home look cleaner, but it will also help remove unhealthy stains caused by mildew and mold. It’s a great place to start when planning for a home remodel because it can be done quickly and at a fraction of the cost of many other types of home improvement projects.
There’s no better time than spring to pressure wash your house, driveway, patio, deck and walkways. This will remove any dirt, grime, mold or mildew buildup that has accumulated over the colder months.
Conclusion
When the weather warms up, we often see a wave of home improvement projects like this. People decide that now is the time to jumpstart their lives and become the best versions of themselves. Many people are turning their attention to restoring their homes and improving their lifestyles. What’s more, there’s an additional reason for these home remodeling efforts to take place at this time of year: spring cleaning and using hardscaping for internal landscaping services are very popular in springtime… as many people hope to transform their homes and get them ready for the new year—and summer.
Follow these tips and get your home looking beautiful for the new year!
Contact us today and get started!