5 Outdoor Projects To Get You Excited For Spring

     You know you have to tackle the clutter that has built up in your house over the winter— but it’s just so NICE outside!  Get outside this spring without squandering that productive attitude with some of these done-in-a-weekend projects for the outdoors.  They’ll boost your curb appeal and allow you to take advantage of the nice weather.  I like to call it “productive procrastination.”  Save the indoor cleaning for those rainy spring days!

Dress Up Your Doorway

     This could mean a lot of things, depending on how far down the rabbit hole you’d like to go.  A new coat of paint on your door and trim instantly brightens your entrance.  Add a screen door to welcome in the spring breeze and save on your cooling bill!  Upgrade your hardware and your security by installing a new deadbolt system.  Lay stone tiles for a new finished entrance and walkway.  Really, sprucing up your front entryway could be as easy as sweeping, using a damp cloth to clean the doorway and surrounding siding that has been dusted with pollen.  Buy some potted shrubs and plants that you love, along with some new door mats and call it a day! Pick the size of your adventure!

Lighting Effects

     Enjoy your garden and landscape, even at night!  If you want to add a magical element to your outdoors, light it up.  Use low voltage lighting, or even solar powered footlights, to really accent the curve of your garden beds.  They will showcase the texture of your landscaping and highlight any stand-out architectural elements of your home.  Get some midnight inspiration by putting some glow in your garden! 

Celebrate Arbor Day

     Okay, so it may have already passed this year (April 24th), but it is never too late to plant a tree.  Why not go for some long term landscaping that not only helps with cooling bills, but heating bills, too!  It’s recommended to plant at least two to three shade providing trees.  If needed, consult with a landscaper about placement to get the most benefit out of the shade.  They probably have some really good species to recommend for your area as well.

Clean Your Siding

     Now, lots of people think you cannot do this without a professional power washer but that’s just not true.  Vinyl siding requires a spray down with your household water hose twice a year.  Sometimes using a power washer can bend the vinyl enough that water gets underneath it.  If you have maintained the cleanliness of your siding an overall spray down should be sufficient.  If it has been neglected for a few years, a 3:1 mix of water to bleach will provide a little more cleaning power, just be sure to cover your plants.  If you have brick siding that requires little to no maintenance, walk around your home and do some spot cleaning.  Specifically check for water damage towards the foundation or where any rainwater continually drips on the brick and behind any plants.  Using a bristle brush with the same bleach/water combination can clean up any mold or mildew growth.

Stain Your Deck

     This project does require a pressure washer and probably the whole weekend.  After all the furniture is removed, power wash your deck.  You may have to use some soapy water and a scrub brush to remove more stubborn dirt or mold and let it dry overnight.  The next morning, stain your deck with a gorgeous fresh finish using a paint roller!  It should be dry by nightfall, however, save putting your furniture back for the next morning to save your furniture and the finish from getting damaged.

It’s shaping up to be a wonderful, productive weekend!  Make sure you wear a tank top along with SPF for some safe, pre-summer sun kissed skin!

     

Brighten Up Your Home For The Winter

Don’t want to delay on improving your home just because the weather outside is frightful?  There are a few indoor projects to consider that will brighten your home while improving its value.  Whether your trying to flip your house or are just an avid DIYer that can’t sit still, here are some awesome things to do while stuck inside from the cold.

    

Paint

Everyone knows that painting is one of the best and inexpensive ways to improve the look of your home.  What’s not widely known is that not every window in your home has to be wide open while you do it as long as you use an environmentally friendly virtually fume free paint!  Update your home’s look, or cover up unsightly blemishes from wear and tear with a water-borne paint.  Go as crazy as your experience will allow you to create dramatic stripes using painters tape, or install modern trim work to give rooms a new appeal.  Remember, if you’re inexperienced in painting, start small, maybe with a bathroom and take your time with the prep work.  Always use the right tools.

Hardware

Shop for new hardware.  For me, its one of the funnest things to pick out at the home center.  From updating the doors in your home, or updating bathroom faucets or kitchen cabinets, this little improvement can go a long way!  Using a modern classic like brushed silver or bronze, or a funky retro shape, changing these little details adds a world of interest to your dwelling space.

Lights

Brighten up your space using lots of light!  Changing light fixtures can add allure to any room, or set the mood for any occasion.  The way you light your home can make it an inviting warm environment where friends and loved ones want to gather, or it can make your space seem sterile, like a industrial hallway.  Picking the right lighting for your home can make a huge difference.  A simple chandelier over the dining room table can add a classic look, or installing a ceiling fan in the master bedroom can be attractive and practical.  What is your favorite lighting?  

So don’t get the winter blues (unless its for your walls!) this year, use this time to stay in, and make your indoors a welcoming place to snuggle in with a book or a movie.