BURNABY
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015
NEW WESTMINSTER
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SEVEN WAYS TO SPRUCE UP YOUR HOME’S EXTERIOR
M
ay is the perfect time to add pizzazz to your home’s exterior. So, get those working clothes on, grab a brush, some outdoor paint (or head to your nearest hardware store for your supplies) and get ready to revive your home’s curb appeal. Even if you’re not selling up, it’s important to keep up your home’s exterior so that it doesn’t decay and maintains the neighbourhood aesthetic. REW spoke to Sarah Gallop, award-winning designer at Sarah Gallop Design Inc., to glean some expert advice on how to spruce up your home’s exterior. She says there are numerous ways to boost your curb appeal without breaking the bank. It just might require a little elbow grease…
Light Your Way to an Elegant Entrance Lighting is a great way to add some impact. This could be in the form of landscape lighting on a pathway or highlighting some trees. It could also be architectural lighting on your home (soffit lighting, new sconces and/or up lighting architectural features).
Flowers and Plants Add Colour and Beauty Who doesn’t appreciate Mother Nature’s blooms? Adding planter boxes with lots of gorgeous flowers can add interest quite easily. Planter pots can also add appeal at an entry as they can frame the doorway with foliage which adds beauty and texture. whatsoever. We typically think of our garage as simply a place to store our vehicles, bikes and our stuff. Why not replace the garage door with a more attractive option? There are great garage door designs available so an upgrade here has endless possibilities. Be sure to choose something that fits well with the style of your home, says Gallop.
Keep Things Tidy and Trim Year-Round The easiest, least expensive way to keep your home looking good is keeping things tidy and clean year-round, so that it doesn’t get dishevelled or overgrown. So trim the hedges, edge your grass, tidy up your pathways if they have weeds, add some decorative flower pots, and then maintain it on a regular basis going forward.
Don’t Forget Your Backyard
Improving your Home’s Siding Combining materials to highlight your home’s architectural features are ways to enhance your exterior’s overall look. If you have a heritage home, you can purchase tongue-and-groove planks to draw attention and add character to your entryway. “This also gives you the opportunity to change colours and highlight different areas,” adds Gallop.
A Little Paint Can Go a Long Way It’s truly amazing what a little paint can accomplish – it can brighten, revive and give new life to your home’s exterior. Take a long look at your house: Is the paint chipping, cracking or simply looking dull and tired? Gallop’s quick to add that painting doesn’t have to mean the whole house; it could be a new front door colour, the trim, shutters or some accents that fit the architectural style of your home.
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There is a multitude of ways to reenergize your backyard oasis. If your outdoor furniture is drab, tired looking or plain old, new furniture will instantaneously refresh your outdoor space. As in the front yard, Gallop says paint or staining the deck surface, and/or power washing and cleaning the patio goes a long way. Again, adding planters with bright colourful flowers always helps. “Creating little ‘destination’ vignettes with seating areas can add a lot of interest, and creates spaces of the yard that can be enjoyed for different purposes and in different times of the day,” she adds.
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