Most Affordable Exterior Upgrades for Orlando, FL Residents
BY EMALEY BAXTER | JANUARY 7TH, 2019 | FLORIDA, LAWN CARE, ORLANDOOur homes and businesses are often our most important investments. So naturally, it is just as important to keep their exteriors looking fresh and current. Often when we think of ‘exterior upgrades’ we assume large-scale projects that eat up both time and money. However, with a few small updates, our exterior upgrades can have both a positive impact on our curb appeal as well as our pocketbooks.
Have a design that works together
1. New Mailbox & Planting
It may sound simple, but replacing an old mailbox can add style and personality to your front exterior. To create a cohesive look it should match the design style of the exterior of your house. Not quite ready to say goodbye to your mailbox? Simply add new colorful plantings around your existing mailbox’s post. Try for a mix of flashy blooms and some evergreen shrubs, such as a backdrop of Golden Shrimp Plant and Indian Hawthorn.
2. House numbers
Just as your mailbox is a primary focal point for visitors, your house numbers are just as important. Update your basic numbers by going with the same design style as your home’s exterior (and new mailbox). Orlando is blessed with a wide range of architectural styles, so if you have a craftsman bungalow look for house numbers that you feel highlight the asymmetrical architecture and tapered columns of your home. Art Deco is definitely in right now and there are lots of ornate options that would tie into your unique style. So whether you live in a modern contemporary building or a one of a kind historic pueblo design, finding a set of house numbers to match your style is a must.
3. Exterior Lighting
Hitting refresh on your exterior lighting fixtures can do wonders for changing the look of your home’s exterior without doing a major renovation. There are thousands of different options for exterior lighting in every possible design style imaginable. Wall mounted sconces, hanging lights under a porch, ground lights that illuminate your entryway are all chances to express your personal style while adding an upgrade to your exterior.
4. Fresh Paint
Painting an entire house can be an overwhelming task both in time and cost. However, thinking smaller and focusing on another key focal point of your home’s exterior will give you just as much satisfaction. Giving your front door a new coat of paint will offer a chance to change up your color scheme or refresh what was already in place. Either way, you’ll be adding new life to an existing feature.
Get a Good Thing Growing
1. Accent Pots
If you find yourself short on time or out of space to pursue a new landscaping feature look to adding accent planters around your exterior. Your local home improvement or garden center will have a wide selection of outdoor planting pots to choose from. When selecting a location for your new additions think about how the shape and color of both the pot and the plants you choose can be used to accent your home’s exterior features.
2. Mulch
Dressing your existing planting beds with a fresh layer of mulch is not only good for the continued health of your plants but it also makes your beds look new and well cared for instead of washed out weather worn.
3. Planting Bed Care
Maintain your hard work out in the garden by keeping your plants happy. Be sure to take the time to keep your beds weed free so they thrive where they are planted and your green thumb is not hidden by undesirable scraggly weeds. Deadhead spent flowers or seed pods after the seeds have fallen or been eaten by the birds. And be sure to thin out any planting groups if they seem to get a little too crowded in the space you’ve planted them.
4. Powerwash
Living in the hot humid climate of Orlando, we understand how quickly vegetation can grow. While we love that it means our grass is green and there is almost always fresh flowers, it can also mean a never-ending battle with moss, mildew, and mold on all of our surfaces. Consider renting a power washer to tackle the green buildup on siding, patios, and pavers. Instantly get a clean and fresh feeling with an afternoons worth of work.
Looking for lawn care tips? Visit our Orlando lawn care page for all sorts of tips, tricks, and general information.