5 Outdoor Decorating Tips
Kathy Burns-Millyard
Spring is here and decorating is in the air. We all love
putting out fresh new looks in our homes this time of year, but
have you thought recently about the outside? Often we're so busy
decorating or redecorating inside, we forget to do the same
outside as well. So here are a few quick and easy outdoor
decorating tips that will help spruce up the curb appeal of
your home:
1. Paint: You can paint the entire house and trim, or simply
touch up the trim alone... either way will make a huge impact
on how your home looks to the passing public.
2. Porch or Patio: If you already have a porch or patio, simply
putting new furniture out can make a wonderful difference in the
presentation of your home. Alternatively, you can simply buy new
cushions or covers for your existing patio furniture. Other
quick patio spruce ups can be as simple as putting out a few
flowering potted plants, adding gnomes or statues, or putting a
small water fountain into the space.
3. Walkways: Having walkways outside your home add a cozy,
homey and inviting feel to the overall outdoor presentation.
Just a straight concrete walkway can be spruced up by putting a
bit of garden bed edging along each side... putting small solar
walkway lights on each side... or planting colorful annual
flowers such as petunias on each side. If you don't already
have a walkway and want to create one, I think the prettiest
are those made of stone. Add an extra decorative touch by
making the walkway curve or wind a bit to your front door
instead of leading straight there.
4. Yard ornaments: These can be as simple as a small bird
house, a pole mounted outdoor lantern light, or even a
wheelbarrow with flowers. Putting a little something extra in
your yard defines you and your tastes, plus it gives your home
a more unique personality that stands out from your neighbors.
5. Flowers, Plants, Vines & Bushes: Probably the most popular
way to spruce up a yard quickly is to simply put out some
pretty plants, bushes, vines and flowers. Annuals are great for
adding dashes of color quickly, because you can usually buy them
this time of year in bloom. To get continuous color and
greenery, plant some perennials too. Then once the annuals are
starting to die out, you'll have something to replace them.
You'll also have the added joy of seeing the perennials sprout
again for several years to come.
Would you like additional outdoor decorating tips? See the rest
of this article and related resources at:
http://www.diyhomedecorating.com/articles/2006-05/372/10-tips-for-improving-the-curb-appeal-of-your-house/
About The Author: © 2006, Kathy Burns-Millyard. Kathy is a
professional published writer who loves decorating, gardening,
and photography. Please visit http://HouseDesignIdeas.com for
pictures of house exterior decorating and design ideas, and
visit http://DIYHomeDecorating.com
for additional home
decorating ideas.
Back to Index of
All Info on Decks and Patios
Search our site for any Home, Lawn or Garden Info
