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FUN SUMMER PROJECTS FOR YOUR HOME

Create your own beautiful outdoor living spaces

Here in SoCal, we are blessed with amazing weather for much of the year.  Having a comfortable and lovely outdoor living space, where friends and family can gather for meals, games, outdoor sports and leisure activities will make your home feel like a vacation spot! 

 

Whether you create a deck, patio, pergola or a full-blown outdoor kitchen, these kinds of additions can add as much as 40-50% on the return of investment for your home.   

 

It’s time to finally renovate the kitchen 

If you’ve been waiting and planning for years to finally get that much-needed kitchen update, summer is a great time to dive in.  If your budget allows, you could be ready for a full overhaul, with brand new cabinetry, appliances, floors, countertops…the works! However, you can keep it simpler and more scaled back and still achieve some beautiful and satisfying improvements: 

• Painting your kitchen cupboards can make a huge difference.  You can also replace just the cabinet doors and drawer fronts, with new hardware.
• Modernize the look of your kitchen with new faucets and handles.
• Upgrade all your lighting, perhaps by adding under-cabinet lighting or getting some cool new pendent lights for your island or dining area (or both!)
• Replace your tired countertops – so many great options these days – and add a fun backsplash.  Replace your kitchen sink, while at the same time enhancing the functionality as well as the look.

 

What about that old bathroom??? 

Again, like the kitchen, a full-scale renovation is fantastic if you can afford it, but simpler improvements can also make a huge difference in functionality and aesthetics.   

• Fresh paint on the walls and cabinets can do wonders.
• A bathroom can be a nice spot for some wallpaper.
• Just like in the kitchen, replacing the fixtures – faucet, showerhead, lighting – can bring you a lot of bang for the buck.
• Consider adding some shelving, replacing your old vanity and cabinets.

 

And now let’s take a look at your home’s curb appeal 

If you are selling your home, curb appeal is vitally important.  Some potential customers won’t even go inside the home if it’s not inviting on the outside.  But even if you have no plans to sell, you (and your neighbors!) will appreciate a well-tended and aesthetic exterior presence.   

• Painting the exterior is an obvious improvement, and there are lots of color choices these days to give your home an exciting boost.  
• Getting a new front door can make a surprising difference, but if your door doesn’t need replacing, painting it a fun and bright color is a great idea.
• A new garage door might be the ticket, or again, simply freshen it up with a new paint color.
• Another lovely improvement is to add/or update your outdoor lighting.  Having your home well-lit at night adds an extra bit of security, as well as looking beautiful.
• Revamp your front porch with seasonal décor, hanging and potted plants and flowers, some new house numbers and door handle.  Add an awning or even enlarge the porch, if you can.  If space permits, put some furniture out there, with a rug and some bright pillows where you can enjoy your morning coffee or an evening glass of wine with a friend.
• Improve your landscaping.

 

Your home should be your haven, where you can relax and enjoy your family and friends.  Putting the energy and time into creating a home you love is well worth the effort, and summer is a great time to do it!