Planning an Exterior Home Makeover 101

Looking for ways to combat the mid-winter blues? Why not focus your attention on planning a spring or summer home exterior makeover? Projects like this require a lot of planning and creativity so we’ve compiled a list of ideas for you to consider in the early stages of mapping out the perfect home exterior revamp. Here are our top 5 categories to help you get inspired!

Repairs – Needs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Owning any property comes with a bit of maintenance. Sometimes, you are able to DIY (do it yourself) the repairs, and other times you’ll need to call in a professional. Depending on the damage or nature of the wear and tear, you’ll want to make sure any repairs to your home’s exterior, and property in general, are not ignored. Things to look for might include chimney corrosion, cracked foundation, holes or nooks where small animals could infest, overgrown trees, loose wires or cables around the house, or even broken and rotting fences. Run through each area of your home’s exterior and identify if there are any repairs, big or small, that need to be addressed first. From there, you can plan the proper way to correct them so the rest your makeover project can be fun-filled and smooth sailing!

Landscaping – Make Your Property Pop!

Lawn and garden care might seem like a luxury, but many realtors will argue that it provides a huge boost to your property value when regularly maintained. In some areas, a well-manicured and enhanced lawn can increase your property value by up to 15%, according to a study by Virginia Tech. All this to say, investing in your lawn will always pay off from both a property value and curb appeal standpoint. A few things to consider when planning out your landscaping might include flower beds or window boxes, well-placed shrubs or trees that frame the home, regularly cutting and weeding grass, investing in a garden space, adding pathways, creating a cute patio space, adding in decorative lighting, mulching, installing an automated irrigation system, or even investing in professional landscape design. You can decide to explore as little or as many options as you desire, and as your budget allows. Many of these projects are also things you can do yourself or hire out depending on your preference.

Home Exterior – Siding, Windows, Roof, Oh My!

Next on our list, consider the physical building: your home’s exterior. What sort of condition is everything in? Do you have old, faded, or chipping siding or paint that could use a fresh coat? How are the windows holding up? When was the last time you paid attention to your gutters? How’s the quality of the roof these days? Your answers to these questions will determine how many moving parts your project will involve. However, if everything is in good and working condition, our best advice is to simply have fun as you enhance your home’s exterior, aesthetically! For example, a fresh color can make an older house look brand new! Switching out lighting fixtures and doors for a new color or style can also make your home pop without investing too much time or money. Whatever you choose, make it something you’ll love for years to come.

Garage & Driveway – Appearance & Functionality Matter

Don’t forget about your garage and driveway when planning your makeover! Just like your house, your garage can benefit from a style lift with new paint or siding, a fresh garage door, updated service doors, enhanced operating systems, and new lighting. Your driveway, too, might need a little attention if there are cracks or holes that make it unsightly and unsafe. Consider both appearance and functionality when it comes to your garage and driveway. J.D. Griffiths can help you bring a fresh look to your garage and even lay new concrete for your driveway, making this step of your home makeover simple and affordable!

Miscellaneous – A Few Extra Fun Ideas

Finally, here are a few miscellaneous options that you can consider when dreaming up and planning your home exterior makeover. These ideas include new patio furniture, an upgraded grill and/or fire pit, adding a fence, getting a new mailbox, or going as far as an all-season deck or outdoor kitchen area! These are just a few fun extras that can truly make your house a home and offer a refreshing feel to your property.

No matter how big or small you wish your exterior home makeover project to be, J.D. Griffiths is here to help make the project run as smooth as possible by offering garage building and renovation services to bring your home’s exterior to life! Submit a form or give us a call to get a free quote today – 414-362-7222!

J.D. Griffiths has proudly served the greater Milwaukee area since 1947, building our reputation as the premiere detached garage and garage door experts. Check out more resources, examples, and information on our garage builds, renovations, door installation, and service jobs to learn more.