Full time residents and visitors alike will agree that the Outer Banks comes alive the second the weather even mildly resembles that of the spring. Children of the neighborhoods congregate and neighbors enjoy conversations sitting on the front porch with the nice breeze. With the spring weather comes spring cleaning. Spring cleaning should not just apply to the interior of the home. The exterior of homes should be considered in the process and a few changes can increase home value and curb appeal. Functional outdoor living space is a trend that is here to stay. Focusing on the outside of your home can not only increase the value, but can also create a wonderful and enjoyable space to entertain and relax all year long. With spring around the corner, now is the perfect time to consider making some changes to the outside of your home.
People often only worry about the interior of the home, but often the exterior could use a face-lift. A fresh new color outside or just pressure washing will make a noticeable difference. A fun bright color applied to the front door will add a pop of color to your home to make it stand out and increase the curb appeal. Front door hardware is another area which may be in need of an update and is often overlooked. To add a personal touch while also increasing curb appeal, update your house numbers. To make a home really stand out and look finished, consider adding shutters to the windows. By adding shutters, you can turn a drab and boring house into a polished home. While black or white will always work, choosing a brighter and fun color will make the home pop and stand out amongst all the plain houses around. Any or all of those ideas are worth considering this spring to give the exterior of your home a revamp.
Number one on the to-do list for the spring is often landscaping. Having maintained and visually appealing yard shows that you take pride in your home and it is well cared for. Maintained yards also make homes look clean and tidy. Saving your money and your time can be done by investing in low maintenance vegetation. There are many options for hardy plants that require minimal upkeep. Edging walkways with flowers, rocks, or shrubs are very visually appealing. Lighting around the walkways link and extend of living to the outside space.
Linking the indoor living area to the outdoor living area adds additional functional living space to a home. Maximize your outdoor living space will create a wonderful place to enjoy and entertain. Adding a fireplace outside complete with comfortable furnishings is an area that can be enjoyed year-round. There are many options available for outdoor cushions and pillows that are mostly waterproof and can be easily cleaned. You can tie in the colors of the cushions and pillows with outdoor planters with coordinating flowers. A huge trend that is also functional is the outdoor kitchen and dining area. Imagine grilling out in your grilling area with food you prepared on your stone countertop in your outdoor kitchen. Many outdoor kitchens have their own refrigerators, storage, sinks, and even pizza ovens. Patios with dining areas are great for entertaining and really enjoying the wonderful weather of the Outer Banks.
Outside living is something that can be enjoyed year-round, so it is important to consider changing it up so you will not only extend your living area but create a visually appealing home that exemplifies pride and gratification. No matter how long the winter may seem, spring is sure to follow, so make this spring the one for revamping, redecorating, and renewing the exterior of your home.