People tend to spend a lot more time outdoors in the summer, so what better time to update your home's exterior? Everyone knows about painting and landscaping to revive your home's outdoor vibe, but there are a few lesser-known upgrades that are just as easy and will deliver as much — if not more — bang for your buck. Keep reading to learn more.
1. Replace Your Garage Door
We know that your garage door may be the last thing you think about, but replacing it can add a "wow factor" to your home's exterior without breaking the bank. There are so many styles of garage doors to choose from these days that this upgrade may be a bit more exciting than you could have ever expected! What's more, upgrading your garage door will give you a major boost in curb appeal and home value. In fact, reports show that while garage door replacements can cost as much as $3,600, you'll recoup almost 98% of that! This means that when the time comes to sell, buyers will immediately be impressed with your home when they pull up.
2. Install an Outdoor Kitchen
What's summer without backyard barbecues and s'mores? An outdoor kitchen can help you elevate your old-fashioned burgers and hot dogs to something Martha Stewart would be proud of. Plus, no more having to make endless trips between the indoor kitchen and backyard to fetch ingredients, cooking supplies, utensils, and so forth. Although an outdoor kitchen can cost upwards of $14,000, it's estimated you'll be able to recoup $10,000 of that. Plus, you'll enjoy plenty of delicious family pizza, pasta, and any other kind of food night your hearts desire!
3. Build a Pergola
If you're sick of playing the floor is lava with your patio during the hottest parts of the day, opt to build something more sturdy to protect you from all of the elements — a pergola. This structure will transform your backyard to new heights while allowing you to host barbecues no matter how hot it gets. When the occasional summer shower pops up, you won't have to worry about your guests getting soaked because they'll be covered. It also offers terrific sun and heat protection. Check out some pergola inspiration here.
4. A Water Feature
We know springing for a pool is not in everybody's budget. But, you can still enjoy some water without doling out tens of thousands of dollars. You can easily install affordable water features in your backyard, including fountains, koi ponds, and waterfalls. These features are sure to enhance your backyard's ambiance.
5. Add Some Texture
You don't have to plan a major renovation to add some new texture to your home. Look for small parts of your home's exterior where you can add some stone, brick, or any other kind of veneer of your choosing to break up your home's monotony and add some luxury. This project works with budgets of all sizes because you can control the materials and amounts you buy.
6. Add New Lighting
Exterior lighting is another simple and cost-effective upgrade that will change your home's ambiance. This is another excellent upgrade that works with budgets of all sizes. You can opt for soft lights to highlight your home's design or ground lights to highlight your best landscaping. Don't forget to light up walkways and your home's address sign to make it warm and welcoming for visitors.
7. Upgrade Your Mailbox
With all of the online shopping, we do nowadays, getting a heavy-duty mailbox is worthwhile. Opt for a lockable mailbox to keep your packages safe and sound. We also recommend an oversized mailbox so your mail carrier can safely place packages in the mailbox without having to crush them or run up to your house and ring the doorbell (and wake the sleeping baby or send your dog on a barking spree).
8. Lay Down an Outdoor Rug
Outdoor rugs are inexpensive, practical ways to add pizazz to your outdoor space. Whether you need to hide a patio that's seen better days, you want to create a designated seating area, or you just looking for a pop of color, an outdoor rug is the answer. The best part about outdoor rugs is they are built to last — despite whatever weather they may come in contact with. Just make sure the rug you choose is designated as an outdoor rug so that it will wick away water and won't bleed dye when it gets wet, snowed on, or the sunshine blazes on it all summer long.
Outdoor upgrades are great, but if you're itching for something to increase your comfort on the inside of your home, why not opt for a new mattress? We recommend a medium-firm mattress for the ultimate comfort and support — kiss back and neck pain goodbye with a medium-firm mattress. Before you go mattress shopping, be sure to know your mattress dimensions and bed frame dimensions.
