Ah, summer. The season for vacations, day trips, backyard barbeques, and yes, even home improvement projects. Summer is a great time to tackle a home renovation — more daylight hours, great weather, and the flexibility to spend a few days outside of your home for those major projects that might disrupt regular routines.
Whether you’re planning a smaller project you can DIY or you need to call in the pros for a larger renovation, the summer season is a great time to give attention to the home to-do list you’ve been meaning to address. Not sure where to start? Here are five summer home improvement projects you can tackle now and check off the list!
Work on your curb appeal
Summer is a great time to enhance your home’s curb appeal by adding new flower beds, updating or adding new hardscapes, and addressing any overgrown landscaping. By working with your local nursery, you can plan your home’s outdoor spaces to fit your needs and climate.
Replace light fixtures
Lighting is often overlooked in older homes and yet it’s a great way to refresh a room with low investment in both time and finances. Head to your neighborhood hardware store to browse all the options and choose a variety of fixtures and functions. Consider adding a light/fan combo in bedrooms to help with circulation and a softer, decorative fixture for entryways or dining areas. Don’t forget to pick up some outdoor lighting, too, like solar-powered lights for landscape beds and porch lights with an automatic timer or dimmer.
Upgrade the hardware on your cabinets
This summer project can be done in less than a day and won’t even have you breaking a sweat. By switching out the handles on your kitchen or bathroom cabinets, you can instantly update the look and feel of your home on a very small budget. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, a quick coat of paint will go a long way to refreshing the space even more.
Pressure wash your home’s exterior
Depending on your home’s exterior surface, a good pressure wash can dramatically improve the look of your home and be a reasonable project to take on alone or with a partner. Be sure to do your research about the chemical balance of your soap and test a small portion of the home to ensure you won’t damage the siding. Once you’ve completed the home, use the same mixture to spray sidewalks and driveways and your whole home will feel refreshed.
Tackle the unseen projects, too
It’s more fun to take on painting a room or upgrading hardware than it is to repair what you don’t see. However, projects like updating your hot water heater or air conditioning units are just as vital to your home maintenance plan as those you can easily see. Sometimes these projects can be too much for the ambitious homeowner so there’s no shame in using an air conditioning repair service to get the job done right.
Being a homeowner means balancing the fun of the summer season with the responsibilities of keeping your home updated and in good shape. If you’re having trouble getting started or staying focused on one project, these productivity strategies might help you at home, too!
Pick one of these projects to tackle this month and go for it. When fall arrives, you’ll be glad you put in the effort, and you’ll be more than ready to host that holiday party when the time comes.
