4 DIY Home Improvements Perfect for Spring
The spring season has an incredible way of elevating moods. It might be the sunshine you’ve missed all winter long or the beauty of countless new blooms, but spring certainly brings joy.
Many people feel extra motivated around their homes during springtime. These good moods can lead to a plethora of home improvements and projects.
However, some projects may not always be worth the hype. There are certain home features that can increase insurance, such as swimming pools, hot tubs, and even decks. Even without them, there are still plenty of incredible improvements you can make that are perfect for your elevated spring mood.
#1 – Add Fresh Paint to Your Front Door
Your front door is often the first thing people see when they walk up to your home. When your entryway looks dated and worn, it can leave a bad initial impression.
Rather than letting your front door bring down the look of your exterior, try giving it a facelift this spring. This is a great project to do outside in the fresh air with the weather warming up. Plus, you can avoid any paint messes on your floors.
Depending on the state of your door, you may need to strip away the existing paint or stain before adding a new color. A paint stripper will likely be a massive help in this process, as it allows you to easily scrape off the previous color, leaving you with a blank canvas to paint.
Give your door a nice sand down, clean it off, and begin adding your new paint or stain. Sometimes two coats may be needed, depending on your desired color.
Once your paint has dried, simply hang up your door and enjoy your fresh, new welcome into your home.
#2 – Create a Garden to Enjoy
If you love spending time outside, adding a garden to your yard may be the perfect spring improvement. The wonderful thing about gardens is the limitless possibilities.
If you enjoy cooking and love having fresh produce on hand, a vegetable garden may be just the thing you need. When beginning your garden, it’s best to start small. Too much too soon can leave you overwhelmed and cause your garden to fail. Instead, start with just a few of your favorite veggies and continue to grow as time goes on.
If you’re a fan of beautiful flowers and countless butterflies, adding a butterfly garden may be your perfect choice. When purchasing your flowers, search for ones that specifically attract butterflies. You can also add in a few rocks to soak up warmth as butterflies are cold-blooded. These gardens are typically easy to maintain, making them great for beginners.
While vegetables and butterfly gardens are two of the most popular choices, the options are truly limitless as to what kind of garden you can create. Once you’ve done your planting, all that’s left to do is sit outside and enjoy your beautiful new yardwork.
#3 – Light Up Your Outdoor Living Areas
As the weather warms up, you’ll likely be spending more time enjoying your outdoor space. Lighting can make a significant improvement on any outside area you have.
If any of the walkways around your home seem dimly lit, some landscape lighting can make a huge difference. Many options available are even solar-powered, which means they will soak up the sun’s rays all day and then be ready to light up your pathways when night falls.
If you have a deck or patio area, hanging globe lights are an excellent option to add great lighting and improve your atmosphere. These lights are meant for the outdoors, so you won’t have to worry about them getting damaged during rain.
Lighted umbrellas can also be a great alternative if you don’t have a place to hang lighting in your outdoor space. These fit just like a regular umbrella but come equipped with a solar panel on the top. When the sun goes down, enjoy the gentle lighting they provide around your favorite outdoor table.
No matter what lighting source you choose for your outdoor space, adding lights can be a considerable improvement. Maintaining your property with adequate lighting can also help you avoid incidents that could lead to a homeowners insurance claim and a subsequent increase in your insurance rate.
#4 – Break Out Your Pressure Washer for a Refreshed Look
Since many of your outdoor items sit outside all year round, they can begin to get a little battered by the elements. Decks, patios, outdoor furniture, and even your home’s exterior can look weathered over time from sitting outside.
A great way to refresh any of your outdoor items is by pressure washing them. Pressure washers use highly pressurized water to clean dirt and grime off your hard surfaces.
If you don’t own a pressure washer and don’t feel inclined to buy one, you can always opt to rent these handy tools for your cleaning projects. Many home improvement and power tool stores will have options available for rent.
Once you have your washer, simply begin cleaning off all the hard outdoor surfaces that could use a good refresh. The most common pressure-washed areas are decks, patios, gutters, sidewalks, siding, and outdoor furniture.
It’s essential to be careful when pressure washing. Even those with lower force are strong enough to cut through human skin. Take proper precautions and use your pressure washer with tight hands so it doesn’t slip. Also, ensure no one else is outside that could potentially get caught in your spray line.
When you finish with your pressure washing job, you’ll be amazed at how clean your outdoor space feels.
Perfect Spring Home Improvements to Freshen Up Your Space
When spring is in the air, everyone seems to be a little more motivated to start making home improvements. It could be the fresh air, the sunshine, or the rising temperatures, but whatever it is, spring upgrades are widespread.
If you’re looking for some significant improvements to make around your home this spring, try any of these options. Whether you paint your front door, plant a garden, add some lighting, or clean up with a pressure washer, your home will be completely refreshed and ready to be enjoyed.
Alexandra Arcand writes and researches for the insurance comparison site, USInsuranceAgents.com. She is a home improvement expert who always finds new and fun ways to update her home.
