Ideas for Freshening Up Your Home’s Exterior

 
 

It's highly likely you take a lot of pride in your property and, therefore, want it to look its best, whether that be for guests or potential buyers.

One of the most important ways to put your home's best foot forward is to make sure the exterior is at it's best, which can be achieved with simple updates here and there during your time living there. If you feel it's time for your home to get a makeover, or you think there are areas of your home's exterior that could improve, below is a list of areas to get you started.

Update Your Windows
One of the first things people notice about a home is its windows. Consider replacing your windows with new, energy-efficient models if they are outdated or need repair. These modern windows not only improve the overall aesthetics of your home but also help reduce energy costs by providing better insulation and reducing drafts. Opting for windows with larger panes can increase natural light, making your interior spaces feel brighter and more inviting.

To further enhance the look and functionality of your windows, consider adding or updating exterior shutters, interior blinds and curtains, either yourself or through services like Integrity Blinds & Shutters Inc. Exterior shutters come in various styles and materials, such as wood or vinyl and can add a touch of charm and sophistication to your home's façade. Interior blinds, available in options like wood, faux wood, or aluminum, offer privacy and light control while complementing your décor. Lastly, curtains or drapes can add warmth and texture to your rooms, allowing you to play with colors and patterns to suit your style. By combining these elements, you create a cohesive and polished look that boosts curb appeal and enhances your home's comfort and energy efficiency.

Add Some Color
A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for the exterior of your home, instantly revitalizing its appearance and giving it a modern touch. Consider painting your front door a bold color like deep red, navy blue, or vibrant yellow to make a striking statement and create a focal point that welcomes guests. Complement this with colorful accents such as shutters, trim, or window boxes in coordinating shades to add depth and character to your facade. Choose colors that enhance your overall exterior palette for a cohesive look, whether you prefer subtle contrasts or eye-catching combinations.

In addition to enhancing aesthetics, adding color can reflect your personality and style, making your home stand out in the neighborhood. Opt for high-quality, weather-resistant paint to ensure longevity and resilience against the elements. Don’t forget smaller details like repainting the mailbox or refreshing planters to complete the transformation. These colorful updates not only brighten up your home but also increase its curb appeal and market value. By thoughtfully incorporating color into your exterior design, you can achieve a refreshed, inviting and contemporary look that makes your home shine.

Enhance Your Curb Appeal
Simple landscaping updates can go a long way in improving your home's curb appeal. Start by planting a variety of flowers and shrubs to add color and texture to your garden. Use seasonal plants to ensure year-round beauty, and consider adding mulch around your flower beds to maintain moisture and reduce weed growth. Outdoor lighting is another effective enhancement; strategically placed paths and spotlights can highlight your home's architectural features and provide safety and security. Adding a new walkway with materials like brick, stone, or pavers can guide guests to your entrance while updating your driveway with decorative concrete or asphalt, which provides a polished, welcoming look.

Additionally, consider incorporating features such as a charming front porch, stylish house numbers and a fresh coat of paint on your front door to make a bold statement. Trim overgrown hedges, mow the lawn regularly and tidy your garden beds to create a well-maintained appearance. Small touches like window boxes filled with vibrant blooms or hanging baskets can also contribute to a more inviting façade. These enhancements not only boost the aesthetic appeal of your property but also increase its market value, making it more attractive to potential buyers. Investing in these simple yet impactful landscaping updates can transform your home's exterior into a captivating and welcoming space.

Upgrade Your Exterior
If your home siding looks worn or outdated, consider upgrading it with new materials like vinyl or fiber cement. Vinyl siding is an excellent choice due to its durability, low maintenance and resistance to harsh weather conditions. It comes in many colors and textures, allowing you to achieve any aesthetic, from classic to contemporary. Fiber cement siding offers similar benefits with added fire resistance and the ability to mimic the appearance of wood, stucco, or masonry. Both options are energy-efficient, helping to improve your home's insulation and reduce energy costs.

Updating the exterior of your home, whether yourself or through a business like 20/20 Exteriors, with these materials can completely transform its appearance, giving it a fresh, modern look that enhances curb appeal. Investing in high-quality siding improves your home's aesthetics and increases its market value and longevity. Additionally, new siding can provide better protection against pests and severe weather, ensuring your home remains structurally sound. Whether you're planning to sell your home or want to enjoy a refreshed facade, upgrading your exterior with vinyl or fiber cement siding is a smart and stylish choice.

Install Outdoor Features
Consider installing outdoor features like a pergola, deck, or patio to add some personality to your home's exterior. Pergolas add elegance and provide shade, making them perfect for outdoor dining areas. They can be customized with climbing plants, fairy lights, or curtains to suit your style. Decks extend your indoor living space, offering durability and aesthetic appeal with materials like wood, composite, or PVC. They are ideal for hosting barbecues or simply lounging. Patios, made from stone, brick, or concrete, offer versatile spaces for dining, lounging, or play. These low-maintenance features enhance the beauty and functionality of your home's exterior, creating an inviting environment for entertaining guests or relaxing with family.

Freshening up the exterior of your home doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. By implementing these simple ideas like updating windows, adding color, enhancing curb appeal, upgrading the exterior and installing outdoor features, you can easily give your home a facelift and improve its overall appearance. Remember that small changes can make a big impact when it comes to refreshing your home's exterior!

Read more at Rismedia.com

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Just Listed: Spacious Brick Ranch with Modern Upgrades and Charm!

 
 
 

Explore the allure of mid-century modern charm in this spacious brick ranch nestled in the sought-after Applewood neighborhood.

Boasting a bright and airy open floor plan ideal for effortless main floor living. Gleaming hardwood floors and abundant natural light greet you as you step through the front door. This home features a large updated kitchen complete with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and sleek modern cabinetry, perfect for whipping up a gourmet meal. Enjoy cozy evenings by the gorgeous living room fireplace complete with built in bookshelves. The primary suite comes complete with an attached bathroom, with 2 additional bedrooms and another full sized bathroom giving you plenty of room for a dedicated office space or workout room. An oversized attached 2 car garage, extra large concrete driveway and a storage shed provide tons of storage space. The huge corner lot has been xeriscaped for easy maintenance and is filled with a canopy of trees that provide beauty and shade for sunny summer days. Conveniently located near shopping, dining, and coffee shops, and with easy access to I-70, Golden, Arvada, and downtown, this home combines comfort, style, and convenience, for modern living. Don't miss out on this opportunity to call this charming mid-century gem your own!

Listed by Sue + Mark for West + Main Homes. Please Contact Sue for current pricing + availability.

 
 
 

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Just Listed: Low-Maintenance Living in The Villas at The Meadows!

 
 
 

Welcome to The Villas in the Meadows, a pleasant and vibrant paired-home neighborhood, close to community pools, amazing parks, miles of trails, hiking, incline, and the charming Downtown Castle Rock.

Low maintenance living here - no front mowing or shoveling! This better-than-new, only 3 year old home stands out above the rest with its nearly 2,900 square feet, every showroom upgrade imaginable, huge corner side lot, full basement with tall 9' ceilings, a main-floor bedroom with a 3/4 bath - all very RARE FINDS in this community! The huge open concept floorplan on the main level is a space you'll truly love to be in! Upstairs, you'll be greeted with more LVP flooring in the large loft/bonus space and huge laundry! You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the abundantly generous primary suite and the sprawling mountain views in the 3rd guest bedroom! Upgrades abound with gorgeous quartz counters and tall cabinets throughout, premium appliances, designer backsplash, tall 8' doors, luxury vinyl plank floors, designer light fixtures, honeycomb tile, so many closets, and 800 sq ft of storage space in the basement! Right outside your door and just beyond the cozy covered front porch, you'll find pocket parks, friendly neighbors and sprawling trails. Venture out and visit the historic, yet lively, Downtown Castle Rock restaurants, breweries, and boutique shops! Summer in Castle Rock will make you feel like you're in a small town with Concerts in the Park, Farmer’s Market, Yoga in the Park, Parade, Cattle Drive, and the Douglas County Fair + Rodeo that you won't want to miss! Only 15 minutes to DTC, 35 minutes to Downtown Denver! Come live the good life!

Listed by Janell Arant for West + Main Homes. Please contact Janell for current pricing + availability.

 
 
 

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Just Listed: Modern City Living Nestled Perfectly Between Two of Denver's Favorite Historic Neighborhoods!

 
 
 

Renovated 3-bedroom duplex with a private backyard, modern amenities, and prime location near top neighborhood spots and mountain getaways.

This beautiful three-bedroom, one-bathroom duplex, with a kitchen and bathroom fully renovated in 2021, provides low-maintenance living with a private, fenced-in, shady backyard with newly installed turf. Designed with a professional's touch, you'll enjoy the light and bright bathroom, open kitchen with breakfast nook, and thoughtful details in each upper-level bedroom. Retreat downstairs to another room versatile as a guest bedroom, office, or movie lounge. Upgrades include brand-new hardwood floors, an energy-efficient tankless water heater, and a gorgeous skylight above the all-glass shower. The exterior of the building was freshly painted in 2023. Conveniently situated blocks away from neighborhood favorites such as Queen City Coffee, Black Sky Brewery, and the Santa Fe Art District. Those looking to escape for a mountain getaway will appreciate the easy access to head west on Hwy 6. Move in and enjoy this fantastic home and location!"

Listed by Kati Fitch for West + Main Homes. Please contact Kati for current pricing + availability.

 
 
 

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Patterned Flooring is Back: A Look At This Hot Design Trend

 
 

Home decor in 2024 is all about color, pattern and personality. There's been a huge shift away from neutral tones and warm grays into bolder, brighter colors.

Julee Ireland, an interior design architect and founder of Home Renovation School in Santa Monica, California, says there's a sense of nostalgia in home design today. "For example, the '50s and '60s style of midcentury modern is making a big resurgence," she says. Naturally, she adds, herringbone, parquet and checkerboard flooring are returning with it. "Patterned flooring is sophisticated, timeless, fun and adds a dynamic visual interest to the space."

Installing a patterned floor may seem risky given flooring's high cost and permanence. However, it can achieve a flawless look when done correctly.

Patterned Flooring Is a Timeless Look

Jenny Slingerland, home designer with Black Ink Interiors and a content creator with the Instagram account @Black.Ink.Interiors near Phoenix uses the word trend carefully. "It implies something is in right now but might leave in a year or two or three," she says. To her, patterned flooring isn't a trend, it's a timeless design element.

The origins of patterned flooring date back thousands of years. Herringbone has roots in ancient Italy, while checkered flooring appeared in Egyptian temples.

The resurgence of traditional home design is bringing back patterned flooring with a playful twist. Some people pair traditional herringbone or parquet with patterned wallpaper or bright paint colors. Others are also mixing bolder tile colors, like a deep red hue instead of traditional black for a checkerboard tile.

Patterned Flooring Options

Patterned flooring can be any material from wood to cork or tile that creates a specific pattern when laid. It will not be horizontal but zigzags or intricate squares that repeat themselves. Some of the most common patterned flooring options are:

  • Checkerboard tiles

  • Hand-painted tiles

  • Hex tiles or pinwheel tiles

  • Herringbone

  • Parquet squares

  • Versailles parquet panels

  • Mosaic or brick tiles or parquet

Tiles are a popular patterned flooring material because they are easy to personalize. There are tiles cut into shapes of flowers, pinwheels and geometric designs. Hand-painted tiles take it further, offering more intricate designs in endless color options. There are also checkered tiles, which uses two traditional square tiles in a checkered pattern. This can be done with any color tile, but black and white are the most common colors for pairing.
Parquet and herringbone flooring are made from wood and used in more traditional spaces that date back to the 1600s and early 1900s. Versailles panels is a variety of parquet with a specific pattern and, as its name suggests, is the flooring used in the Palace of Versailles in France.

Rooms That Work Well With Patterned Flooring

Some rooms naturally lend themselves to certain patterned flooring materials. "Checkerboard tile is great in entryways. I love mixing that with wood. We're also seeing a lot of checkerboards on patios and outdoors while handmade tiles are really big in bathrooms right now," says Ireland. The classic pattern of parquet or herringbone is great in a dining room or study, but can also be used in a living room or throughout the entire home.

"Any time I take on a project, I like to think of the building architecture and try to stick to that," says Marco Zamora, a designer and creator with the Instagram account @want.zamora who renovated his 1920s French-style building in Los Angeles with peel and stick checkered tiles. "Patterned flooring is not specific to one area or generation, it's more of a nod to older design and architecture across the globe."

A patterned floor can work in any style of home. in "You can choose a sleeker marble to match a more modern home, versus an older home, you may want to use a more classic look like hardwood herringbone," says Slingerland.

How Much Does Patterned Flooring Cost?

Patterned flooring usually costs more than traditional flooring due to the detailed woodwork or tile cutting involved. Some companies make parquet flooring in engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl plank at a comparable price to nonpatterned floors of the same material. However, most patterned flooring is a premium price compared with traditional flooring options.

Expect to pay around 80% to 90% more for a patterned luxury vinyl plank or hardwood. Tile is usually a more expensive flooring option. The tile material impacts pricing. For example, marble will cost more than ceramic tiles. Patterned tiles can also be more challenging to install due to the detail of laying the cut tiles.

Is Patterned Flooring Right For You?

Flooring is a fairly permanent home improvement. You can always change out flooring, but it's an expensive job. Replacing flooring also requires you to remove things like cabinets or vanities in bathrooms, which could increase costs further. Understandably, some homeowners may be hesitant to install patterned flooring.

"If you're nervous about adding patterned flooring, start in smaller rooms, like the laundry room or a powder room," says Slingerland. If you are renting and can't make permanent changes to flooring or simply want to test the waters, try using peel and stick tiles to create patterned flooring.

Zamora added peel and stick tiles to the existing tile flooring in his rental kitchen. It matched the style of his home but the burgundy tiles added more color and made it feel more personalized, he says.

With temporary solutions like peel and stick tiles, you can go bold with color like Zamora did and change it without spending a lot of time or money. However, if you're going the permanent route, it's better to stick to neutral, timeless colors and go bold with wall paint or crown molding.

Read more at RealEstate.USNews.com

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