![\"\"](\"https:\/\/stage.bhgrelife.com\/bhgrelife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/shutterstock_303072539-300x200.jpg\")
<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nChange Outdoor Lighting Fixtures<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nYou may only need one light to see by in order to get your key in the lock, but does it have to be ugly? Does it have to be centered over the door? Think about your home\u2019s symmetry when replacing light fixtures and choose a design that works with your home\u2019s style. Eclectic exteriors can quickly become neighborhood eyesores, so \u201cye olde carriage lantern\u201d fixtures are unlikely to work on a Craftsman style house.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/stage.bhgrelife.com\/bhgrelife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/shutterstock_158797736-300x199.jpg\")
<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMake Your Door the Focal Point<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you\u2019ve got an old or standard builder\u2019s door, think about replacing it with a door that welcomes visitors. Red doors signify welcome to travelers in American tradition, and in feng shui red is believed to drive away evil forces and promote positive energy. There may, of course, be some exterior colors that just won\u2019t work with a red door. But if you can pull it off, it\u2019s well worth it. If your interior entryway is dark, buy a door with a decorative glass pattern at the top and consider installing glass panels on either side of the door. It gives the illusion of a much bigger, more expansive entryway. If you worry about privacy, you can always apply adhesive panels that let light in but prevent people from seeing your interior hallway. Door panels come in dozens and dozens of designs these days, and they\u2019re another way to showcase your home\u2019s personality.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
While you\u2019re working on your home\u2019s entryway, consider replacing your street numbers with ones that are easily visible from the street.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/stage.bhgrelife.com\/bhgrelife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yard-300x293.jpg\")
<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRethink Front Yard Landscaping<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThere is lush and there is jungle. As your home matures, trees, shrubs, and perennials expand to fill the space available to them. While there\u2019s no doubt the shade from a deciduous tree can lower your cooling costs significantly, it can also darken your interior in a way you can\u2019t control. If you have mature trees that are reaching the end of their lifecycle, consider removing some of them and installing shutters instead. That way you can keep heat out when you need to and let light in when you want it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
As our summers get hotter, replacing standard grass that needs constant watering with drought-resistant plants and lawn cover that never needs mowing makes sense. You can still get a lush, bursting out all over midsummer look you want by installing hanging baskets and porch-flanking flower containers. You can donate perennials you no longer want at plant exchanges, and you may be surprised by the visual impact a less-is-more approach to landscaping can have.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/stage.bhgrelife.com\/bhgrelife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/shutterstock_153614162-300x199.jpg\")
<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPaint and Restore<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSometimes builders or previous owners just don\u2019t get it right. A combination of brick, stone or stucco on one part of the house with the wrong color siding on the rest of the exterior can be jarring. The good news: brick, stonework and stucco can all be painted<\/a>, and this is one of the cheapest and most dramatic exterior transformations there is. If you decide to replace the siding instead, remember you can always replace the siding at the front of the house and leave the existing siding on the sides and back for a later date.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you live in an older home whose exterior has been renovated in a way that doesn\u2019t match its original design, consider restoring it. Wrought iron porch railings<\/a> are never going to work on a Craftsman home, and replacing them with something more in keeping with the home\u2019s original design will eliminate the visual disconnect.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/stage.bhgrelife.com\/bhgrelife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/portico-300x169.jpg\")
<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTransform Your Porch<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAn enclosed front porch can be claustrophobic if it\u2019s too small, and unless you use it often, you might want to consider ripping it off and installing a portico instead. The inherent drama of a classic, column-supported portico gives your house instant curb appeal and the open front and sides give the same impression of space as high ceilings do in a home\u2019s interior. This is one of the easiest exterior home remodels you can make. And if you invest in stylish bistro set and some nice pavers, you may find yourself sitting out in your front yard more than you ever thought possible.<\/p>\r\n
<\/p>\r\n
\u00a9 Meredith Operations Corporation. All rights reserved. Used with permission.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMake Your Door the Focal Point<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you\u2019ve got an old or standard builder\u2019s door, think about replacing it with a door that welcomes visitors. Red doors signify welcome to travelers in American tradition, and in feng shui red is believed to drive away evil forces and promote positive energy. There may, of course, be some exterior colors that just won\u2019t work with a red door. But if you can pull it off, it\u2019s well worth it. If your interior entryway is dark, buy a door with a decorative glass pattern at the top and consider installing glass panels on either side of the door. It gives the illusion of a much bigger, more expansive entryway. If you worry about privacy, you can always apply adhesive panels that let light in but prevent people from seeing your interior hallway. Door panels come in dozens and dozens of designs these days, and they\u2019re another way to showcase your home\u2019s personality.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
While you\u2019re working on your home\u2019s entryway, consider replacing your street numbers with ones that are easily visible from the street.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRethink Front Yard Landscaping<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThere is lush and there is jungle. As your home matures, trees, shrubs, and perennials expand to fill the space available to them. While there\u2019s no doubt the shade from a deciduous tree can lower your cooling costs significantly, it can also darken your interior in a way you can\u2019t control. If you have mature trees that are reaching the end of their lifecycle, consider removing some of them and installing shutters instead. That way you can keep heat out when you need to and let light in when you want it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
As our summers get hotter, replacing standard grass that needs constant watering with drought-resistant plants and lawn cover that never needs mowing makes sense. You can still get a lush, bursting out all over midsummer look you want by installing hanging baskets and porch-flanking flower containers. You can donate perennials you no longer want at plant exchanges, and you may be surprised by the visual impact a less-is-more approach to landscaping can have.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPaint and Restore<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSometimes builders or previous owners just don\u2019t get it right. A combination of brick, stone or stucco on one part of the house with the wrong color siding on the rest of the exterior can be jarring. The good news: brick, stonework and stucco can all be painted<\/a>, and this is one of the cheapest and most dramatic exterior transformations there is. If you decide to replace the siding instead, remember you can always replace the siding at the front of the house and leave the existing siding on the sides and back for a later date.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you live in an older home whose exterior has been renovated in a way that doesn\u2019t match its original design, consider restoring it. Wrought iron porch railings<\/a> are never going to work on a Craftsman home, and replacing them with something more in keeping with the home\u2019s original design will eliminate the visual disconnect.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTransform Your Porch<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAn enclosed front porch can be claustrophobic if it\u2019s too small, and unless you use it often, you might want to consider ripping it off and installing a portico instead. The inherent drama of a classic, column-supported portico gives your house instant curb appeal and the open front and sides give the same impression of space as high ceilings do in a home\u2019s interior. This is one of the easiest exterior home remodels you can make. And if you invest in stylish bistro set and some nice pavers, you may find yourself sitting out in your front yard more than you ever thought possible.<\/p>\r\n
<\/p>\r\n
\u00a9 Meredith Operations Corporation. All rights reserved. Used with permission.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRethink Front Yard Landscaping<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThere is lush and there is jungle. As your home matures, trees, shrubs, and perennials expand to fill the space available to them. While there\u2019s no doubt the shade from a deciduous tree can lower your cooling costs significantly, it can also darken your interior in a way you can\u2019t control. If you have mature trees that are reaching the end of their lifecycle, consider removing some of them and installing shutters instead. That way you can keep heat out when you need to and let light in when you want it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
As our summers get hotter, replacing standard grass that needs constant watering with drought-resistant plants and lawn cover that never needs mowing makes sense. You can still get a lush, bursting out all over midsummer look you want by installing hanging baskets and porch-flanking flower containers. You can donate perennials you no longer want at plant exchanges, and you may be surprised by the visual impact a less-is-more approach to landscaping can have.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPaint and Restore<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSometimes builders or previous owners just don\u2019t get it right. A combination of brick, stone or stucco on one part of the house with the wrong color siding on the rest of the exterior can be jarring. The good news: brick, stonework and stucco can all be painted<\/a>, and this is one of the cheapest and most dramatic exterior transformations there is. If you decide to replace the siding instead, remember you can always replace the siding at the front of the house and leave the existing siding on the sides and back for a later date.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you live in an older home whose exterior has been renovated in a way that doesn\u2019t match its original design, consider restoring it. Wrought iron porch railings<\/a> are never going to work on a Craftsman home, and replacing them with something more in keeping with the home\u2019s original design will eliminate the visual disconnect.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTransform Your Porch<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAn enclosed front porch can be claustrophobic if it\u2019s too small, and unless you use it often, you might want to consider ripping it off and installing a portico instead. The inherent drama of a classic, column-supported portico gives your house instant curb appeal and the open front and sides give the same impression of space as high ceilings do in a home\u2019s interior. This is one of the easiest exterior home remodels you can make. And if you invest in stylish bistro set and some nice pavers, you may find yourself sitting out in your front yard more than you ever thought possible.<\/p>\r\n
<\/p>\r\n
\u00a9 Meredith Operations Corporation. All rights reserved. Used with permission.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPaint and Restore<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSometimes builders or previous owners just don\u2019t get it right. A combination of brick, stone or stucco on one part of the house with the wrong color siding on the rest of the exterior can be jarring. The good news: brick, stonework and stucco can all be painted<\/a>, and this is one of the cheapest and most dramatic exterior transformations there is. If you decide to replace the siding instead, remember you can always replace the siding at the front of the house and leave the existing siding on the sides and back for a later date.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you live in an older home whose exterior has been renovated in a way that doesn\u2019t match its original design, consider restoring it. Wrought iron porch railings<\/a> are never going to work on a Craftsman home, and replacing them with something more in keeping with the home\u2019s original design will eliminate the visual disconnect.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTransform Your Porch<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAn enclosed front porch can be claustrophobic if it\u2019s too small, and unless you use it often, you might want to consider ripping it off and installing a portico instead. The inherent drama of a classic, column-supported portico gives your house instant curb appeal and the open front and sides give the same impression of space as high ceilings do in a home\u2019s interior. This is one of the easiest exterior home remodels you can make. And if you invest in stylish bistro set and some nice pavers, you may find yourself sitting out in your front yard more than you ever thought possible.<\/p>\r\n
<\/p>\r\n
\u00a9 Meredith Operations Corporation. All rights reserved. Used with permission.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
If you live in an older home whose exterior has been renovated in a way that doesn\u2019t match its original design, consider restoring it. Wrought iron porch railings<\/a> are never going to work on a Craftsman home, and replacing them with something more in keeping with the home\u2019s original design will eliminate the visual disconnect.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n An enclosed front porch can be claustrophobic if it\u2019s too small, and unless you use it often, you might want to consider ripping it off and installing a portico instead. The inherent drama of a classic, column-supported portico gives your house instant curb appeal and the open front and sides give the same impression of space as high ceilings do in a home\u2019s interior. This is one of the easiest exterior home remodels you can make. And if you invest in stylish bistro set and some nice pavers, you may find yourself sitting out in your front yard more than you ever thought possible.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n \u00a9 Meredith Operations Corporation. All rights reserved. Used with permission.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTransform Your Porch<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n