We’ve already talked about Decorating on a Budget with Paint and Decorating on a Budget with Accessories, so now let’s talk about the exterior of the home.
There’s much to do inexpensively outside. First of all, clean up. Get rid of anything old and ugly sitting around the house including pots, dead plants, weeds, trash; you get the point.
Next, step back and look at the house or, better yet, ask a friend or neighbor, even a stranger walking by. What do they see that maybe you don’t?
Of course, once again, paint. It’s so inexpensive and makes a huge difference. If you can’t afford to paint the entire house, how about just the front door? Maybe the shutters and window trim?
Take off any broken or rusted screens and storm doors or windows. If they can’t be fixed, toss them. No screens at all looks so much better than torn, rusty or damaged ones.
Repair and paint porch railings. Get a couple of pretty pots to put near the entrance, even if they’re empty. Trim shrubs. Cut back or take out anything dead or dying.
Plants add so much and make a house look like a home. Farmer’s markets are a fabulous place to pick up healthy, unique, inexpensive plants. Can’t afford to buy? Ask friends, co-workers, and neighbors for transplants. Every year I cut back and move plants because they’ve gotten too big and are taking over! My friends and I are constantly sharing what we already have growing in our yards.
We had some patio furniture that was rusting and needed a face lift. It looked green at the last house but, for some reason, looked more teal color here. That didn’t work! So, rather than tossing it or getting something new, I painted it all black. Voila! It looks great again and I love it and, last but not least, very inexpensive!
What ideas would you add? What have you tried? How can you make what you already have feel like new again?
