Many people want to find ways to increase their home value and the curb appeal of their home. They might just want to make things a little closer to their personal style. The good news is that there are many exterior home improvements that you can do to help accomplish this. Keep in mind, these are just a few ideas and you can do anything that pops into your head. Let’s take a look at 9 exterior home improvements you need to make this year.
Decking
One of the first things you can do is get some decking built. While you can do this by yourself, a lot goes into building a dock or deck, such as the dock material and actual dock construction. There’s a lot of materials that go into dock construction and you want to make sure you do everything the way it needs to be. If you aren’t confident in doing it yourself, you can hire a professional, like Decks & Docks. Not only will they be able to give you an idea of the best dock material for your area, but they’ll also have experience with installation.
Pond/Garden
The great things about ponds and gardens are that you can create them any way you want. While you could do these 2 things separately and in different areas, they really look fantastic when you combine them together. The possibilities are literally endless and you can create them to look any way you want. Some of the things you can add are multiple different flower varieties, different styles of waterfalls, various types of bridges and different types of fish. You can go with a specific color theme or add all kinds of different ones!
Landscaping
You could also try out some new landscaping ideas. With so many different options, you’re sure to find the style that appeals the most to you. On one hand, you can go for a certain theme, like oriental, woodland or formal. If you don’t want to do that, you can just find ideas that fit together well and really make your yard look attractive. Some of the things you want to consider are types of flowers, types of trees, mulch type and color, types of stones and organization of plants. It might take a little time, but it’s important to have a plan before you start your project.
Fire Pit
There’s nothing quite like sitting around a fire with a cold drink after a long day. Some people will just throw some wood together and light it, while others like to have a specific fire pit. If you’re one of the ones that want a pit, they can be built pretty easily. There are many different designs out there and you could even come up with something yourself. The most important things to remember when building are: using stone to actually build, put gravel on the bottom so nothing scorches and making it deep enough to contain the fire. It’s a good idea to figure everything out before you start building, so you don’t run into too many issues.
Sheds/Outbuildings
Another popular exterior home improvement options are to build sheds or outbuildings. You could use these for pretty much anything, including storage or your own personal relaxation building. Depending on what purpose you’ll use it for, you’ll need to pay attention to the building details. If you plan on using it for storage, the biggest thing you want to ensure is that it’s airtight and minimal chance for leaks. On the other hand, using it for something like a relaxation shed means you need to pay a little more attention. In addition, to have plenty of air vents, you also might want to add things like outlets and shelving.
Outdoor Bar/Kitchen
It’s fun to entertain friends and family on the weekends or in the summertime. Many people will cook inside or on a grill, then bring everything out. For those that want to do everything in one spot, you can easily make an attractive outdoor kitchen or bar. You’ll be able to add tables, chairs and everything you need to do everything in one place. Depending on your tastes, you could add various types of cabinets or shelving. You can literally make it anything you want.
Mailbox Accents
Mailboxes can get pretty boring, so being able to add some simple accessories can really make it pop. If you don’t want to do a whole lot of building, you can add some kind of structure to the bottom, such as a wooden box or rock enclosure. Once you do that, you can add things like flowers or decorative rocks. If you don’t mind doing some building, you can build a nice rock column and put the mailbox into it. Not only does it look nice, but it’ll give a little extra security.
Backyard Patio
To spice things up, you could build a beautiful backyard patio. You’ll be able to sit and enjoy a drink while admiring nature. You could also go outside to do some work and enjoy the fresh air. It could be as simple as a wooden platform or more fancy by adding a platform made of rocks. With so many design options, you can make something that’s completely unique and perfect for you.
Lighting/Accessories
Finally, adding some lighting and accessories can give the exterior of your home a bit of elegance. You can add things like outdoor decor, different types of lighting and pots of flowers. You can go with a theme or just do what you feel looks nice together. Let your creativity run wild and create the perfect look for you.
As you can see, all of these things are great ways to really bring the exterior of your home to life. Remember, you can do any of this on your own, but it might be a good idea to talk with a professional, like Decks & Docks. The decision is ultimately up to you and you should do whatever you’re most comfortable with.
