Canada has two seasons: winter, and renovation season. With spring in full swing, now is the perfect time to start planning your outdoor renovation and home improvement projects to plug away on, before winter rolls around again. Whether it’s the front yard or the backyard, or somewhere in between, there are plenty of easy and affordable projects that you can tackle that will boost your home’s curb appeal and help it stand out in your neighbourhood. Here are eight easy outdoor home improvements to consider that will create a more welcoming space for guests and will have you enjoying the great outdoors throughout the spring and summer, and beyond!
1. Give Your Front Door a Makeover
Let’s start with the focal point of your home’s front facade: the entranceway. Replacing your door and adding glass inserts can be an impactful – albeit expensive – proposition. However, a fresh coat of paint or stain for your door will give your home a fresh look without breaking the bank. Be bold and add a pop of colour, like a vibrant yellow or red, to really make a statement.
Looking to create a grand entrance? Give the front door some more love by upgrading hardware like the lock, knob or handle and knocker. This will give a tired old door a brand-new look and feel that is sure to turn heads.
2. Illuminate the Landscaping
Show off the work you have done in the garden and admire it long into the evening with solar-powered outdoor lights. It’s easy to do. Just pop them into your garden beds, where they’ll soak up the sun to illuminate your plants in the evening.
Outdoor lighting creates a beautiful ambience in your yard. Even just a limited amount of lighting can highlight your garden long after the sun goes down. Be sure to illuminate pathways and steps to create ease and add safety when manoeuvring the space.
3. Reseal the Driveway
Driveways take a beating. A fresh coat of blacktop sealer can work wonders to boost your driveway’s appearance.
It’s a job you can certainly do yourself. Expect that this project will take a whole weekend, but it will also extend the life of your driveway.
4. Upgrade your Front Walkway
Upgrading an entire patio may be a little out of your price range. That’s okay. You can turn your attention to your walkways as a doable and affordable DIY project.
If you are looking for the most affordable opinion, choose gravel. Crushed gravel and limestone, or pea rock are all great choices. You can add a level of sophistication to the path by selecting a higher-end edging material, such as brick or stone.
Allow the path to meander through your gardens. Create built-in seating or a conversation area along the route. Be sure to illuminate the way with some solar-powered outdoor lighting.
5. Revive Your Old Deck
Is your deck looking like a place you want to avoid? No problem. Those grey, weather-beaten boards can be revived. You can power-wash and hand-scrub that deck back to life. Add a protective coat of semi-transparent stain to shield it from the elements.
6. Spruce Up Your Windows
We’ve talked about the door, how about showing your windows some love too? Do you have shutters? Give them a fresh coat of paint and a little more pop. Be sure to fill in any holes with wood filler before you paint.
Add extra visual appeal and more greenery by building flower boxes or a mini pergola outside the window. You’ll love looking out the window and admiring fresh flowers through the spring and summer!
7. Build an Outdoor Fire Pit
An outdoor fire pit is a great place to gather all summer long. Swap stories, enjoy some drinks, and feel like a kid again by roasting marshmallows under the stars. The good news is that there are affordable DIY options to give you a fire pit that is the centrepiece of your outdoor living.
With a shovel, landscaping stones, masonry adhesive, and a whole lot of elbow grease, you can build a simple fire pit for some unforgettable backyard experiences.
8. Raised Planters
Do you feel like you are missing a green thumb? Give raised planters a try, and you’ll finally feel like the gardener you wanted to be. They are easy to build and cost-effective for planting lush displays of veggies or flowers, while offering some protection from hungry garden friends, like rabbits. Fill the planters with high-quality soil and fertilizer to give your seeds or plants a healthy, nutrient-dense home.
Dig In!
Summer will be here before you know it, and with these simple outdoor home improvements done, you’ll be ready to soak it up, in your more welcoming, functional and enjoyable outdoor space. As a bonus, these simple and affordable outdoor upgrades are sure to heighten the curb appeal of your home should you be tempted to sell in the years to come. Happy building, landscaping and renovating!
