The first day of Spring is March 30 and despite all the pollen, Atlantans love to be outside. In addition to planting plant perennials and spring bulbs, here are some tips to make sure your home is ready for springtime.
First things first, Check that house numbers are easily visible. Go across the street from your home to get a better idea of how easy it is to find your house numbers. Large house numbers in a clear font are the easiest to read from a distance. Place them where they are not blocked by trees or porch railings, and position the numbers horizontally rather than vertically if possible — they’re easier to read that way. Ideally, place house numbers beneath a porch lamp or landscape light, where they will be illuminated in the evening.
Carve out space for front-yard living. If you’re blessed with a deep front yard but find you rarely use it, consider whether it would be better put to work as a fun and functional hangout zone. A bench curved around an outdoor fireplace is sure to become a favorite gathering place for friends and neighbors — but even a simple garden bench (minus the fireplace) can be a welcome addition.
Check the condition of the roof. If you notice spacing or curling at the edges of shingles or crumbling bits, it’s time to have a pro roofer take a look. If you need a new roof (or a second layer of shingles), check references and get at least three competing estimates before hiring a pro for the job.
Clean windows and siding. Give your siding a fresh start this spring by washing off the dirt, road salt and cobwebs using a power washer or a regular hose with washing attachment. A hose with a window washing attachment can get windows shiny and clean. Just remember to clean inside windows too for the most sparkle.
Check the condition of the garage and driveway. The garage and driveway often take up a lot of visual real estate in the front of a house, so problems here can seriously detract from curb appeal. Have any driveway cracks repaired and freshen up the garage with a coat of paint, sconce lighting and flower boxes.
Care for grass and mulch flower beds. If you have a lawn, early spring is a good time to reseed or add sod if it looks like it’s coming back patchy. Mulch flower beds with a natural mulch to help the soil retain moisture and give the beds a finished look.
Group pots of flowers on the porch. They’re beautiful and as easy as can be to add. Cluster three pots in various sizes on your front porch or stairs, and fill them with blooming spring flowers.
Add plantings on the street side of your fence. Remember, curb appeal starts at the curb — so instead of just planting inside the border of your fence or stone wall, plant perennials and spring bulbs just outside it as well. The extra layer of foliage and color will create a sense of depth, making your front yard appear larger. If you don’t have a fence, planting perennials in the hell strip between the curb and sidewalk can have a similar effect.
Enhance the front door. The front door should be your home’s exterior focal point — ramp up the appeal by painting it a rich hue, updating door hardware or adding a new knocker. For a seasonal touch, hang a spring wreath or craft your own eclectic one using gardening tools, as these creative homeowners did.
Written by Laura Gaskill, Houzz Contributor for Forbes Magazine
