Sprucing the Home Up for Spring

Home Improvement Projects for Spring

It’s time to throw off the cloak of hibernation and get active again! We all want to be outside and whip things back into shape. After a cold winter inside, it’s time to freshen up not only our outfits, bodies, and lifestyles, but also our abode - our houses! They want a new spring updo too! Here are a few simple home improvement projects that will put a fresh new face on your home to enjoy all summer long.

Stain the deck— A nice deck is the perfect extension of your home’s living space into the outdoors. It's the place for barbecues, good conversation, and watching children play out on the lawn. After winter, wooden decks can look a little worn and shabby, maybe even becoming splintered. A fresh coat of stain can change the color of the wood, or accentuate the wood grain. It also seals it up against spring or summer rainstorms (or sprinklers). Decks should be stained at least once per year.

Install a new railing— A new railing can bring an instant face lift to your home. Your entryway is where visitors get their first impression of your space - why not lend them a hand up to your front porch? A colored railing brings an instant pop of color not dependent on finicky flower baskets (for those who don’t have a green thumb). Plus, it will last for years to come.

Update your address display— These are your numbers, so why not personalize them? It can add spark to your doorway and brighten up your entrance too. Add some colorful tile or brick behind your new digits. Consider adding backlighting so they are visible at night. Stencil large numbers onto your sidewalk.

Upgrade outdoor lanterns— Replace the old functiononly lightbulb outside your front door with some new personality in a stylish lantern. Add matching lanterns on either side of your garage too! This is a simple touch that can change a home’s appearance in big ways.

Change the colors of interior walls— After being stuck inside all winter, you might be ready for a change. Applying a new coat of color to just a couple walls in main living spaces can give a room an entirely new atmosphere. Tape color swatches to the walls needing a new coat to see how those colors look throughout the day before settling on a new color.

Add crown molding— Pick a couple of rooms to upgrade by adding crown molding between the wall and the ceiling. Or pick a prominent interior doorway to frame with some molding to make a statement. Consider painting the molding an accent color to really add a unique touch.