10 Ways to Add Some Color to Your Home
Now that the kids are going back to school, you may find that you have some extra time for those projects you have been putting off all summer. Here are 10 ways you can add a splash of color to the exterior of your home. Some are more involved than others. Chances are you can find something to fit with your time and skill limits.
- Paint the exterior.
This will be the most obvious of the changes. You can completely change the appearance of your home with a color change. Just make sure you are staying within any HOA guidelines, if there are any. Also don’t go too crazy, keep resale in mind so you don’t have to paint it again if you decide to sell. A fresh coat of paint, even in the same color, instantly makes the house look new and clean. For added benefits check out our previous blog all about the topic here: http://www.jacksonvillehomes365.com/put-a-coat-on/
- Change the siding.
Vinyl siding is now available in all sorts of colors. If you have been thinking about making some changes, vinyl siding might be just the ticket. If the thought of painting made you shudder, you can install low maintenance siding in just about any color and not worry about painting for a while. All you’ll need is a periodic pressure washing to keep things looking fresh and clean.
- Turn your windows into a statement piece.
As the saying goes “windows are the eyes to your house’s soul” (or something like that). You can get low maintenance, aluminum window cladding in a variety of colors. If you have wooden windows, you can retain the charm on the inside while adding some wow on the exterior. Or simply match the style of the rest of your home’s exterior.
- Color/Style coordinate your hardware and light fixtures.
Matching the color and style of your porchlights, door knobs, knocker, mailbox and house numbers is an easy way to add a sophisticated style to the front of your home. Every day it will be like coming home to a completely new and different house.
- Make your front door more charming and welcoming.
Adding some character to the front of your home can be as simple as changing the color of your door. Choose a high quality acrylic latex paint in a bold, interesting or coordinated color. You can get the most bang for your buck and time. For a bigger impact, you can change out your front door for one with decorative glass, just make sure it is paint ready so you can really make it a statement piece. Bonus: studies have shown that homes with bold front door colors sell for more money.
- Install Shutters.
In Florida, you might as well make them functional storm shutters but decorative ones are quite a bit cheaper. There are a number of different styles and materials available. You may already have some. There are a number of materials available that won’t crack, warp nor rot like wood does. Don’t get stuck in the 1980’s shutter mode of thinking, there are some really interesting options out there. Our personal favorite are Bahama Shutters. If functional, they also keep you out of the lumber line come hurricane season. Of course they don’t all make sense on every style of home.
- Be stone faced.
There are all sorts of puns available for this suggestion, but we’ll leave those alone. Adding a stone finish won’t make any sense on some homes. There are, however, many different patterns and colors available if you choose to go this route. Lightweight stone veneers are available to make the project easier and less costly. This adds an instant warmth to the front of your home it could even help insulate the areas covered.
- Stain your concrete.
By staining the concrete on your porch, driveway and/or garage you can add a sophisticated look in typically large uninteresting areas of your home. There are all sorts of colors and patterns from brick or paver looks to really intricate acid etched designs that look like tile.
- Spruce up your garage door.
On many homes the garage door is the largest most obvious feature on the front of the home. If changing up your front door has an effect, your garage door will make even more of a statement. With great power comes great responsibility though. Its not hard to over-do it with a large garage door. Adding some barn door hardware and a fresh coat of paint can go a long way you will really want to take into account the color and style of your home. Match this idea with #4 and #5 properly and you look for excuses to leave your house, just so you can come back home.
- Bring the green.
Even a small flower box or hanging plants can give your home a soft and cozy feel. Flowers are a great and inexpensive way to add a pop of color and plants are hard to beat when it comes to adding texture to the front of your home.
There are options on this list for every budget and schedule. If you are able to do all or even a few of these, you are sure to be the talk of the neighborhood and for a good reason this time. If you don’t want to tackle it all yourself, you can always turn some of these into family bonding time. What a great reason for everyone to unplug. All of your inter-web connected devices will be there when you are done and you can share the photos with us and the rest of social media. We’d love to see the finished product.
