Are you frustrated by your home’s outdated exterior while focusing on interior renovations? Discover why giving your home’s exterior a makeover is essential.
There are many fantastic reasons to renovate your home – you might want more space, perhaps you want to make the place more modern, maybe you just moved in and you want to put your stamp on the property… the list goes on and on. As someone who comes from a Real Estate Family over the years and my many homes that I home staged as well as for others, I’ve seen firsthand how impactful a well-thought-out renovation can be, both inside and out. My journey with my real estate Family and home staging has taught me the vital role that both interior and exterior spaces play in creating a welcoming, cohesive home environment.
However, while you might automatically think of revamping your kitchen and turning your bathroom into a luxurious sanctuary, don’t forget the exterior of your home when you’re making plans. The outside of your property is just as important as the inside – maybe even more so in some cases – and it really does set the tone for everything else. Whether you’re preparing to sell your home or simply want to enjoy it to the fullest, the exterior is your home’s first impression and should never be overlooked.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at precisely why you shouldn’t forget your home’s exterior when you’re renovating; read on to find out more.
Curb Appeal
The biggest reason (at least the biggest reason at first glance) to take care of the exterior of your home as well as (and perhaps before) the interior when it comes to renovating the place is what’s known as curb appeal. In essence, curb appeal is the impression people get when they first see your home from the outside, and the better the curb appeal, the more positively people will think about your home, and whether they’re neighbors, visitors, or even buyers, that’s got to be a good thing.
The fact is that a well-maintained and aesthetically pleasing exterior can really make a difference when it comes to your curb appeal, making your home a much more inviting and welcoming space. That’s why you need to spend some time working in the outside of your home and doing things like weeding the front yard, painting your front door, fixing fences and gates, repairing your windows, and hiring a pressure washing service to keep your paths and driveway clean and clear. The more you can do to make things look good, the better your curb appeal, and the better your home is going to look not just when visitors arrive, but when you see it from the outside, and that’s going to give you a much better feeling when you step through the front door.
Property Value
Another great reason to consider renovating and upgrading the exterior of your home is something we’ve briefly touched on above – if you want to sell your home, improving how it looks from that all-important first impression isn’t just about making people feel welcome (although that definitely helps); it’s about boosting your property value at the same time. Property experts have said for decades that homes with nicer-looking exteriors tend to sell faster and for more money than those with less pleasant outlooks (although that will depend to some extent on the interior as well, of course).
You might not be thinking of selling your home just yet, or ever, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it worth more money – it’s great to have a good investment, just in case, and no matter what your plans are for the property, if you do decide to sell it in the future or you want to leave it to a family member, making sure it’s worth as much as possible is a wise idea, and exterior maintenance and renovation certainly isn’t going to hurt.
Structural Integrity
The exterior of your home actually does more for you and the property than you might think; it’s not just about looking pretty and making a great first (and subsequent, come to that) impression. The fact is that your home is going to be battered by the weather, and even what we might call good weather can damage the property – the sun can make elements fade or become less structurally sound, for example. Rain can do terrible damage, and so can snow and the wind, and pretty much every kind of weather will do something to your home.
The good news is that a well-maintained exterior can protect your property from the elements, and that means less repair work for you and less money you’ll have to spend. The more you can take care of the outside of your home, the better because having an up-to-date roof, windows, sidings, gutters, and so on can prevent issues like leaks, mold, and rot, which can all cause a lot of damage and be very expensive to put right.
Energy Efficiency
Who doesn’t want to take care of the planet and save money at the same time as a bonus? There aren’t going to be many people with their hands up for that one, but how can you go about it? What can you do to help the environment and put some cash back in your pocket? Perhaps unsurprisingly, the answer is upgrading the exterior of your home when you’re renovating.
If you can switch to modern materials and new technology, like using insulated siding and energy-efficient windows, or even paint that reflects the sun away from your home, for example, you can help keep the temperatures in your home regular and comfortable, which means there’s less need to use any heating or cooling, no matter what time of year it is. That doesn’t just make your home more comfortable, but it lowers your energy bills and reduces your carbon footprint, so making positive changes to the outside of your home ticks a lot of good boxes and should make you feel proud of what you’re doing. The fact that you’ll save money while you’re doing it is a bonus that you can’t ignore either – saving money where you can is always a great idea.
Check Your Water Supply
While you’re in the midst of your exterior upgrade, consider adding an outdoor water tap. This can be incredibly handy for watering your plants and flowers during the summer, and it provides easy access to clean water when you’re outside.
I remember a few summer ago when I finally had an outdoor tap installed. It was a game-changer! No more lugging heavy watering cans back and forth from the kitchen. Plus, it made washing up after gardening so much easier.
American Water is one of the top providers of safe, clean, affordable, and reliable drinking water across fourteen states. Their services could be a great benefit, especially if you’re upgrading your home. In addition to installing an outdoor water tap, take a moment to review your current water supplier. Are you happy with what they’re offering? If not, switching suppliers is often quick and simple, ensuring you receive the high-quality water you deserve at home.
Creating More Usable Space
Something else that renovating the exterior of your home will give you is more usable space – possibly more than you ever realized you had to begin with.
You can clear away clear away clutter and clear space and then either enhance and then either enhance the patios and other outside areas you have, or create them if they’re not there already. Patios, decks, and other areas of the garden can effectively become extensions of your indoor living areas, and that means you’ll have more space for entertaining, relaxation, playing (you or the kids), and family gatherings – so why not?
Once again, doing this is something that can add value to your home, but that’s not the only reason to make the most of your outdoor space and give yourself somewhere to spend some time when the weather is nice – being outside is good for your health, and the more you can do it when you’ve got the chance, the better. If you’re lucky enough to have your own outside space, using it is vital, and if it looks attractive and feels comfortable, that idea becomes a much more enticing one.
Personal Touches
If you want to be truly comfortable in your home, it needs to reflect who you are and what you like in life. It should show your tastes and preferences, and ideally it should be a way to show off your personality – what better way is there than to decorate your home just for you?
Of course, as well as decorating the interior of your home to reflect who you are and your specific likes and loves, you can do the same to the exterior, no matter whether you prefer a classic, modern, rustic, or perhaps eclectic mix of looks. The point is, your home can reflect your character from inside and out, leaving people with no doubt about who you really are. You can customize things like the paint color you use, the specific architectural details you have in place, and any other unique features you want, and really set your home apart from everyone else’s.
Preventative maintenance
We’ve mentioned the fact that fixing issues in and around your home can be a pricey thing to do, and although it’s necessary, that doesn’t mean it’s fun or good for your budget. The best thing to do, and one that will save you time, money, and effort, not to mention mean that your home stays in better condition, is to do preventative maintenance rather than just doing things that react to problems.
If you can do preventative maintenance, you’ll have a chance to take care of the exterior of your home and make it look great by fixing elements like the roof and gutters and so on, but you’ll also save yourself the cost of bigger repairs later on because you’ll be able to see issues as they’re starting to happen rather than when they’ve already caused a lot of damage. The best thing to do is to use the best materials your budget will allow when it comes to this kind of maintenance because not only will that make your home look good, but it means what you’re doing will last for longer as well.
Increased security
Another great reason for upgrading your home’s exterior when you’re renovating is to make the property more secure – who wouldn’t want to do that? Installing modern doors, windows, and locks is something that’s going to help deter burglars and trespassers and give you and your family much better protection as a result.
You can use smart locks and up-to-date windows to ensure your home is more secure, but you can also add things like motion sensor lighting and security cameras for a full security system that keeps you and your lovely home nice and safe.
Conclusion
Renovating your home’s exterior brings numerous benefits, from boosting curb appeal and increasing property value to enhancing structural integrity and energy efficiency. It also allows you to create more usable space, add personal touches, and ensure preventative maintenance. Plus, an upgraded exterior can significantly improve your home’s security. Remember, the outside of your home is just as important as the inside. By paying attention to both, you’ll create a welcoming, functional, and beautiful living space. So, as you plan your renovations, don’t forget to give your exterior the attention it deserves.
Before You Go
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