Beachwood Civic Association

Tricks for a Low-Cost, High-Impact Home Upgrade

Jun 01, 2006

?•Begin with the front of the house?—it?’s the first thing guests see. Repaint the front, trim and door and update the door handle
?•Dress up the porch. Place two large planters on either side of the front door, with a profusion of healthy plants spilling out.
?•Paint. The biggest change you can make in a room is painting the walls, changing the color makes it look clean again.
?•Add accent lighting. A lot of discount and home stores are stocking inexpensive lighting options that can make a big difference in a room.
?•Make rooms instantly more spacious. Go through your rooms and get rid of one-third of your furniture and junk?—this will give you more breathing space.
?•Give the yard a good clip. Trim back the trees and shrubs that block the street view of the house, especially the windows. A well-groomed yard that lets light into the home looks more welcoming.
?•Create areas of interest in your yard. Start with one small section and create a focal point. Install a birdbath, bird feeder, arbor or bench with copious amounts of flowers and plants around it to create a small sanctuary.