As the weather heats up and
the lawn gets back to its rigorous maintenance schedule after the lull in the
winter, our attention turns more to the outdoors. Though the first day of spring is officially
still a little more than a month away, there is no time like the present to
start planning for a spring spruce-up in curb appeal.
There are some key features
to hone in on when you want to give the front of your home a fresh look for the
season ahead, and that typically starts with the focal point: the front
door. A fresh coat of paint or a new
color altogether can go a long way to giving your curb appeal a real
boost. Installing new doorknob hardware
or a door knocker can offer additional eye-catching detail. Depending on the style, adding new metal house
numbers in a modern font to the door itself, off to the side, or to a front
feature like an archway can add a polishing finish and a visible reference for
the area.
If your green thumb will be
put to work this season, focus on how you can dress up your front entry. If you have flower beds that flank your entry
or run alongside a front walkway, choose plants and shrubs suited for the area
that will bloom nicely in the months ahead.
Adding nice ground cover like a thick layer of mulch is a neat and tidy
visual while helping to protect your soil and fill in the space between
newly-planted plants. If something more
low maintenance is a better fit, planters or flower pots with something hardy
(or even faux) inside make attractive bookends for your front door.
If you like to accessorize,
consider installing a new, more substantial pendant light or porch light
sconces. Warm bulbs that give off plenty
of light add to the security and night curb appeal of your home. If you have a mounted mailbox, a contemporary
replacement can provide a fresh start while sporting a new look. Consider adding new numbers or lettering to
your curbside mailbox to freshen it up.
A new welcome mat that does its due diligence of giving shoes a gritty
scrub can help add to the warm greeting vibe you’re reestablishing.
If space allows, a seating
area with a couple of outdoor chairs and small table between them, a rocker or
two, or a bench can all offer that extension of outdoor living space and
inviting appeal of your front porch area.
And added bonus is front door furniture provides a visual block to
package deliveries that may sit out for a while before you take them in. A storage bench with a hinged lid is
something you can alert your delivery drivers to so they can stow packages
completely out of sight.
Get a jump on a mini-makeover
to kick your curb appeal up a notch and start your spring off with a new and
improved look that’s ready for those steadily increasing sunny days.
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star February 15th.
