Looking for ideas to make the outside of your house look cuter? Here are some simple project ideas on a budget.
Hello rock star.
Happy looooong weekend.
I hope yours is just like mine.
Full to the brim of projects.
In the ever-continuing quest to make this house cuter than it ever imagined, we added a few more diy’s to the list.
I was looking back over the last couple of years and I couldn’t believe all the projects that we’ve finished. And the best part? In typical Thistlewood fashion, we finish everything on a budget with creative solutions to challenging projects. We have children in college and not a lot of money left over for “new” anything.
So instead?
We improvise.
And just between us? Improvising is my favorite. It’s how to get creative with the dollars that you have.
So just in case you needed a few project ideas for your summer?
Here are 11 ideas to make your house look cuter on the outside that will work with any budget.
1. paint a concrete porch
This is one of my favorite DIY’s we did at the house.
It’s so cute that it makes me smile every day.
This is what the porch looked like before.and what it looks like now and how we painted it.
2. disguise those metal columns
These were what the columns on our back carport have looked like for their entire lives.
If you’ve ever priced columns, you know it’s SO EXPENSIVE to remove them and add new ones.
So instead?
We came up with this solution.
3. tile your back porch
Remember this porch?
It’s where I left for my first date with this cutie.
Who knew that one day he’d be tiling it? 🙂
You can see the entire before and after here.
4. paint a faux copper roof
See that little roof on the side?
It’s just ordinary metal.
But now we’ve transformed it and made it look SO MUCH cuter with a little copper.
You can see the entire before and after here.
5. make an obelisk from an embroidery hoop
Getting your outdoor spaces ready?
This is such an easy project you can make in a weekend (or even an afternoon) to add a little personality to your front step.
You can see the project here.
6. make a wood planter box
Why pay for expensive wood planter boxes when you can make your own.
And add a monogram, too.
7. write out your house numbers
Why just add your address when it can be even cuter?
You can spell out your number with letters instead of digits.
8. Painting brick
We transformed the front of our house by painting the brick.
This was one of the most popular posts of the year and one of the most cost affordable ways to update your home.
See how we painted it and a little before and after here.
9. Paint a garden shed
This was another one of my most popular projects for 2019.
We updated the garden shed in the back of the yard with paint.
See the before and after and how we did it here.
10. Plant hydrangea
I think the cutest flower in the world is hydrangea.
With peony being a super close second.
If you live in Texas or somewhere that you never thought you could grow hydrangea?
I have the tips for you.
Here’s how to plant hydrangea in Texas.
11. Paint your fence
This project took more than a weekend.
But it was so worth it.
Here’s the before and after and how we painted our wood fence.
In amazing news?
Your house is already cute.
It’s yours after all.
These are just some simple and creative ideas to stretch the budget to make your projects even more affordable.
And now?
Happy long weekend (and may it be full of projects). 🙂
Love all of these ideas. Hope you get to enjoy it today.
Karianne, Your creativity makes my house that much cozier! Thank you for sharing with your happy readers (and husbands like mine who roll their eyes when I say "I've been thinking of doing this project"--LOL). Happy Memorial Day---rest and enjoy, dear girl! God bless!
Beautiful,as always!
Great tips! One question, though -- when you painted the porch did you fill the open cracks between the bricks and the tile porch? The reason I ask is because that's one of the leading ways a brick stairway (and the foundation of a home) can fail, is from moisture getting into cracks. I suspect you did, as everything you do is very well done and looks professional! But wanted to let others know, just in case they don't know. We keep ours filled and painted so we don't have any very expensive repairs later). I think your porch and front entry update really changed the whole front of your home. It was already beautiful but getting rid of the bright red of the brick and making the stairs, porch and foundation all match really took it over the top. Amazing what some paint will do! It's those little changes that really make a difference.
I liked the brick bettern probably because I have a brick porch and it is atraditional cape cod home.
Hope you enjoyed the wonderful long weekend!!! xoxo
Im behind on my emails sorry. Such a beautiful home. Happy Tuesday.
We are thinking of using composite wood over our front porch. Not sure how it will look. Time will tell.
KariAnne, These are such great ideas and I'd love to share them on my Sunday, Dirt Road Adventures.