Curb Appeal Ideas for Summer

It's officially summer. I haven't decided if I'm excited or angry yet, but the season is upon us whether I'm ready or not. Here are some creative ideas to help you spruce up your home, and I've divided them up into budget sizes.

Free - $5

• Maintain your lawn and beds
• This costs almost nothing, and can make the most impact. A well-maintained/manicured lawn can really make your house look polished and show that you take pride in your home.
• Grow flowers from seeds
• Granted, this takes significantly more time, but it's worth it. Seed packets are $1-$2 each, and flowers cost much more. Plus, you can't always find healthy plants at your neighborhood store, so this ensures that you have healthy plants as well. 
• Use an old container as a planter. 
• If you have an old bucket that has a hole in it, and can no longer hold water, spray paint it and use it as a planter. You can also use old vases, flat-bottomed bowls, baskets, anything!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Get rid of old and dated architectural details  
• Awnings are the biggest eye-sore to most facades. Getting rid of them brings more light into your windows, and opens up the front of your house.
• Touch up your paint
• Odds are, you have the extra paint for your house and trim in your garage or shed. Pull it out and touch up the paint. It costs you no extra money out of pocket and makes a big difference.
• Windex Outdoor
• This costs a few bucks, but I promise you that you will not regret it. It will also bring more light into your home, and clean windows look shiny and new. It will again show that you take pride in your home and maintain it well.

$10 - $20

• Repaint an old piece of furniture
• Repainting an old bench, table, piece of patio furniture or whatever wood or plastic pieces you keep on your porch will revitalize the look of your home for very little investment. (A can of spray paint can make it a lot faster too)
• Choose a new paint color for your front door
• Changing the color of your front door can completely change the look and mood of your home. This is the lipstick of your house, so make it pop, but coordinate with the rest of the colors on your home.
  
  
       
  
  


• Replace or repaint the mailbox.
• The mailbox is usually the first thing guests and passers-by will see when visiting or walking by your home. Just remember to make sure it represents you and coordinates with the look and colors of your home.
• Replace your doormat
• I am a firm believer that you should replace your doormat every few years. 
• Make or purchase new decorative pillows or cushions for your patio furniture
• Patio furniture with cushions are quite versatile and you can change the cushions out any time - when they get old and tired, or when you tire of the design. It's a very cost effective way to increase the lifespan of your furniture.
• Replace your house numbers
• We've all seen the old brass script numbers that everyone had in the 90's, and fortunately, there are more modern options available to us now. These three to five simple numbers can make more of an impact than you realize.
  
                  
  
• Hang some hanging planters of flowers
• Hanging plants at or above eye level will disperse the color and create visual interest on a different level.
• Change out the lighting
• A more modern set of lights can make your home look more updated, and even help you save money on your energy bill each month. Solar lights are quite popular these days and they come in all sorts of styles and colors.
• Make or buy some window boxes
• Window boxes can help if you're trying to achieve the charming or cottage look and also add another level of visual interest for the eye.
  
  
  

$20 - $50+

• Make or buy a new wreath for the front door
• There are thousands upon thousands of tutorials on the internet for any kind of wreath you could imagine. A lot of the time, they take a very short amount of time and very little money to put together. A wreath can say a lot about you, and will make your home seem more welcoming.
  
  
          
• Add shutters to your windows
• This can break up the vast expanses of your facade and can also contribute to the cottage look
• Update your patio seating
• Seating on your porch is another easy way to make your home seem more welcoming. Make sure to purchase furniture that will last a long time, both with the elements and with the look of the furniture pieces as well.
• Update your door hardware
• Not only does this change the look of your curb appeal, but it is a safety concern as well. A well-built, modern lock will be safer than the lock that came with your house when it was built in 1970. Door hardware is made in every style and finish you can imagine, so it wouldn't be hard to find the look you are searching for.

I hope some of these ideas inspired you to get out in your yard and create some interest and curb appeal of your own. Please comment with other ideas that you all have, and send pictures to mocklidesigns@gmail.com.

**As always, don't forget to like Cheap Chic on Facebook, Twitter-@cheapchicinc, Google+, and Tumblr!**