The average American reported that during warmer months, they will spend six hours each month just mowing the lawn, according to one study by OnePoll. While mowing the lawn is a great way to maintain a manicured yard, however, those who want to boost their curb appeal even further may find themselves at a loss when looking to do so without undertaking a major project. Whether you’re a busy homeowner or you own a small business, here are just three simple things that you can do to spruce up any outdoor space.
Incorporating plants and flowers
Whether you’re looking to spruce up your yard or your business’s exterior, landscaping can make a huge difference — and it doesn’t have to be a time-consuming or challenging endeavor, either. In fact, simply planting flowers and other plants is just one project that has major potential without even having to create an elaborate flower garden. Family Handyman notes that there are several ways to incorporate plants into an outdoor space, from vertical planters to trailing plants (which can present a great idea for those who have to work with smaller spaces). Window boxes are another way to effectively add foliage and a pop of color to any exterior, with Family Handyman mentioning that in addition to being attached beneath windows, they can be placed on a porch, around the perimeter of a patio, or hung from a deck railing.
The hidden value in power washing
While pressure washing aspects of your home and yard — such as your deck, sidewalk, and driveway can seem straightforward enough, there are some important things to keep in mind before doing the job yourself. For example, while many may use the terms ‘pressure wash’ and ‘power wash’ interchangeably, it’s important to realize that they’re actually two different things. According to Homes.com, power washers are the heavy-duty option that is better suited for larger areas (like big driveways) or “where you have extreme dirt, grease, moss, weed buildup and slick surfaces due to mold.” However, while power washers are best for hard surfaces that can stand the heat and pressure, Homes.com goes on to explain that pressure washers are “the safer surfaces option,” and are best for concrete and brick, small patios/decks/driveways, and softer surfaces — like wooden decks, siding, and tiled areas.
In addition to accumulated dirt and dust, those in large cities (such as New York City, Los Angeles, or Philadelphia) may also experience graffiti, which can greatly impact the visual appearance of a property. For property or business owners looking to make a great first impression, pressure washing can be an ideal way to boost curb appeal while removing grime and graffiti. With that in mind, enlisting the help of commercial pressure washing services is a great way to ensure the job is done correctly and can be especially helpful to individuals who are too busy to take on the job themselves. Through the help of experienced professionals, you can gain peace of mind in knowing that the job is done properly and in a timely manner.
How lighting can make a difference
Many homeowners may reserve outdoor lighting for Christmas, though outdoor lighting is a quick and easy way to transform a property’s exterior all year round (while also enhancing safety and security). With a variety of different lighting options to choose from including traditional string lights and solar lights, the placement of lighting can allow you to highlight anything from a walkway to a lawn feature (such as a statue or water fountain) to outlining the exterior of a house or building. Mary Peterson, the CEO and lead designer of Northwest Outdoor Lighting tells The Seattle Times “Strategically designing the lighting with every viewing perspective in mind provides the proper lighting and enhanced visibility at night.” Peterson goes on to note that “Installing in-ground lights is always our first choice,” explaining “The proper beam width and lumen intensity ensures that the lighting brings out interesting details of whatever it’s highlighting. That could be tree trunks, textured stone walls or a front entrance.”
Mowing your lawn is a great way to keep a property’s exterior looking nice, though there are a variety of other maintenance tasks that can make a major difference, too. From adding exterior lighting to pressure washing and even adding a subtle pop of color through the addition of plants and flowers, boosting the curb appeal of any property can be done in ways that are simple yet impactful.
