5 Outdoor Decorating Tips
by 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 perrenials 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/
Kathy Burns-Millyard is a professional published writer who loves decorating,
gardening, and photography. Please visit
HouseDesignIdeas.com for
pictures of house exterior decorating and
design ideas, and visit
DIYHomeDecorating.com for additional decorating tips, ideas, and advice.