How to give your exterior the wow factor for under $200 and $1000
To maximise your home’s potential, take a look outside. At some point we’ve all been guilty of neglecting exterior areas, whether it’s slippery steps or peeling paint.
“Your front porch is the first thing you and your guests see when arriving at your home, so you want to make the first impression a good one; it sets the tone for what’s to come,” says interior designer Celene Busher from Celene Interiors.
An attractive exterior will also improve the house’s overall street appeal, making it more appealing to potential buyers in the future. But you don’t have to spend a fortune to make a big impact. We talked to leading experts and interior designers to see how to redo a house on a budget, including all the cost-saving tips you should know.
Under $200
Making over your exterior on $200 is about highlighting the best bits of your home, whether that’s a lush garden or characterful front door. “Being on a tight budget can be a positive thing as it forces you to be more creative,” says interior designer Shanly Simpson from Shanly Simpson Designs. “You want to accentuate the strongest assets of your house.”
Paint your front door
“You can use bold paint colours to draw attention to the best features of your home and use more neutral colours to help camouflage other areas,” says Resene marketing manager Karen Warman.
Painting your front door is an easy weekend project that can give your home an instant facelift, while helping visitors navigate your home. This can be especially useful if your property has an unusual exterior layout or multiple doors.
If your door is already painted with a waterborne paint and in good condition, all you need do is to clean the area with a paint prep and housewash solution to get rid of any dirt and grime, then you can paint on two top coats. If it’s already painted with a solvent-borne paint, it’s best to sand the old paint before painting to help the next coat stick better. “If you are planning a major change in colour – from very dark to very light, or vice versa, use Resene Quick Dry under your top coats to help your colour look its best,” Karen says. She also recommends using a gloss finish to help make your colour seem brighter and cleaner.
Don’t overlook outdoor lighting
“Candles and lanterns are an inexpensive way to add warmth,” says interior designer Hayley-Anne Brown from Lou Brown Design. “An oversized pendant above an outdoor coffee or dining table will anchor the furniture below and create a gorgeous warm glow at night.” There are multiple ways to get creative with your outdoor lighting, such as threading battery-powered seed lights through an old chandelier frame, or adding hurricane lanterns in selective spots. Lighting your front path with solar lights is also a great way to make your home look more user-friendly and gorgeous.
Little things matter
If you’re stuck for inspiration, look down. The answer might be right at your feet. “For someone looking to do an exterior makeover for under $200, some options include adding statement potted plants or a great entrance mat,” says Celene. A new door mat is a great way to inject pattern and texture into your front porch, as well as limit the daily mud tracked through the house. Add some cushions to outdated deck furniture, alongside outdoor art and sculptures to breathe new life into old spaces.
Get out the paint, again
Yes, that’s right. The painting doesn’t end at the front door. “The best thing about exterior paint is a little can go a long way,” says Karen.
Shanly recommends painting designs on old cushions or door mats, such as your home number or family name to add a personal touch. All you need are some testpots to give your letterbox a refresh or add colour to planters and outdoor furniture.
Karen loves the idea of painting a mural on a front fence. “You don’t have to go too detailed. You could use shadows of plants and flaxes to inspire a design, or just opt for repeating stripes in favourite colours.” If you prefer a more subtle look, paint every third or fourth picket fence top with a front colour to match your front door. “This will lift the look without being a riot of colour.”
Clean, clean, clean
Invest in a quality window cleaner and you’ll be surprised by the amount of light and sunshine you’ll let into your home. The same goes for your deck and outdoor furniture, which will have built up dirt and mildew over time. “I recently gave my outdoor teak table and bench seats a quick sanding, and then applied Golden Care Instant Grey teak protector. They look fantastic,” says Hayley-Anne.
Under $1000
A budget of $1000 means you can take your transformation to the next level. All the essentials can be ticked off, and then some, to give your home a shiny, new look. It’s a feeling that’s on par with Christmas morning, but will last for many years.
Add or update outdoor seating
You’ve heard it time and time again – durable, weather-resistant furniture is key. While buying outdoor furniture could push your budget to the limit, there are other ways to navigate seating in a cost-friendly way. Hayley-Anne recommends adding large outdoor floor cushions as a kid-friendly option to inject both colour and functionality. If you’re in the market to reupholster, think carefully about colour. “Black fabric heats up quickly and shows marks and animal hair just as much as white does. However, white can be quite glary and shows mildew.” Hayley-Anne prefers a mid-tone look, or a two-toned fabric with a salt and pepper-like texture when it comes to outdoor seating.
Greenery is a must
In our opinion, there can never be too much landscaping. There are always more pots and plants to add, or trees to trim. Shanly recommends installing a living wall on one side of your porch to extend your garden vertically. Or, if you want more bang for your buck, a herb garden is an investment that will keep giving. “A boldly painted obelisk is a very popular option for gardens – not only does it add colour in the dreary months, but it’s also very handy for your plants to climb up,” says Karen.
Paint your porch
While your front door is the cherry on top of your exterior, the porch or deck is the often overlooked cake that adds a consistent look and feel to your place.
A front porch doesn’t have to be one block colour, rather you can add two or more shades for contrast, or even use a stencil to create a decorative tile effect (see page 106 for more). Consider using a non-slip finish on the edges of stairs and any high traffic areas or sections that are open to wet weather. For extra safety, highlight stair edges with white paint to make them easier to see in the dark or rain.
Rug up
If your space is missing a certain something, the answer may be more obvious than you think.
“If you really want to take your outdoor area to the next level, then anchor your relaxed seating area with an outdoor rug,” says Hayley-Anne. This helps to lend the space structure, balance and warmth underfoot. “Outdoor rugs are inexpensive, durable and look fantastic.”
Add colour and contrast
If you’re still in the mood for change, look into repainting window frames, joinery and feature architecture in contrasting colours. “This can help draw your attention to them and away from other paintwork.” Just remember to start from the top down and break each task into manageable pieces so you don’t get overwhelmed. Celene says, “Make sure to consider the architecture and overall look and feel when making updates to your property and create a cohesive colour palette.”
Make it fun
Sometimes we don’t spend enough time outdoors simply because there’s no big drawcard, no element of excitement that pulls us back for more. If you’re an avid cook, consider investing in a barbecue for weeknight meals. If you love a glass of wine in winter, check out wood-burning braziers or firepits to get you out of the lounge to enjoy some time outdoors. “Both tend to be more affordable in comparison to a built-in fire as they don’t require hefty installation costs. Braziers are great as you can move them around to suit the weather conditions,” says Hayley-Anne. It’s all about creating an outdoor environment that works for you and your family, from trampolines to water features to loveseats.
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