If you’re anything like us, after a long winter and as soon as spring starts shooting its shot, our minds start to fixate on summer, and those balmy, beautiful days spent in our gardens.
But the colder months can wreak havoc on both your garden and the exterior of your property. After all, when the sun beats down and illuminates a neglected and damaged home… Well, it’s not a good look.
When relaxing in your back garden on a sun lounger, the last thing you want to be doing is worrying about dead foliage and flowers, contemplating dirty gutters, and scrutinising streaky windows.
Instead, before it’s T-shirt weather, make the most of summer’s long build-up by getting your garden ship shape for the new season. Stay tuned as we discuss some exterior home improvement ideas to implement in time for summer.
Add A Living Green Wall
If you are looking for a fun, DIY summer project, then this task could very well be the one!
These living vertical gardens are as eye-catching as they are practical. Indeed, since plants absorb and reflect sunlight, living walls are known to reduce the ambient temperature – something that is very welcome come summer. Moreover, living green walls promotes biodiversity, especially in city settings.
They also absorb sound, thus reducing noise pollution, too. Studies have shown that green walls can reduce ambient noise by up to a whopping 40 decibels – a pretty great benefit and home improvement if you live next to a noisy street.
Having lots of green plants and shrubbery in your garden, skyward or not, is a proven way to increase your wellbeing and promote positive mental health. Plants and foliage can give a green base of calming relaxation with pops of seasonal colour to accentuate the subtle nuances of a more relaxing space. Consider using a mix of native and exotic plants to add intrigue.
Read: 6 plants you need to have in your garden this summer
Clean Your Gutters
Take your mind out of the gutter and, erm, onto your gutters…
Did you know that gutters do actually serve a purpose? Yes, they are a lot more than just weird tubes that run along the bottom of your roof. Gutters are responsible for catching and clearing rainwater as it runs down your roof. Without them, there could be detrimental effects such as roof and home interior damage, or even damage to the garden below.
Even if your gutters are functioning with no apparent issues, it is still nice to see them clean. They can be prone to debris build-up and can end up stuffed with leaves, branches, dirt, and abandoned litter, and let us tell you, this is not a good look!
Gutters can be difficult to reach, making it hard to clean and maintain them yourself, so it is always best to call in a professional to ensure that the job is completed quickly and successfully.
Upgrade Your Front Door & Frame
Your front door is doing more work than you think. It’s the first thing visitors see, and it’s also one of the biggest culprits for heat loss in older homes. If yours is looking tired, with peeling paint, warped edges and draughty gaps, then summer is the ideal time to swap it out.
A new external door and frame set can completely transform the look of your home’s entrance, but the benefits go well beyond aesthetics. Modern door and frame sets are built with improved insulation and tighter seals, which means less warm air escaping during winter. Think of it as building the roof while the sun is shining; upgrading now, while the weather is forgiving, means you’ll already be reaping the energy savings by the time the heating goes back on.
There is a huge range of styles and materials to choose from, too. Whether you prefer the classic warmth of timber, the low-maintenance appeal of composite, or something more contemporary with glazed panels to let natural light flood your hallway, there is plenty to suit your home’s character. Just make sure whichever you go for carries a decent energy rating. Your future self (and your energy bills) will thank you.
Spruce Up Your Driveway & Pathways
It is easy to overlook what is literally right under your feet, but a cracked, weed-riddled driveway can drag down even the most well-kept home. Over time, frost, rain and general wear take their toll, and before you know it, dandelions are staging a full-scale invasion through every gap in the paving.
A pressure washer can work wonders on block paving and concrete, stripping away months of grime and moss in a single afternoon. For patios, a stiff brush and some soapy water will do the trick on lighter build-up. Once clean, re-sand the joints between blocks to keep everything locked in place and looking sharp.
If your driveway or path is beyond a simple clean-up, summer is the best season for something more comprehensive like re-laying or resurfacing, since the dry weather gives materials time to set properly. Even smaller touches, like replacing a crumbling garden path with stepping stones or adding solar-powered stake lights along a walkway, can make a noticeable difference to how your home looks and feels when you pull up at the end of the day.
Read: 7 purchases to bring both flair and functionality to your driveway
Scrub & Polish Exterior Windows
Ugh, the dreaded job of cleaning your windows. We get it, this task is not always the most exciting, or even the easiest, especially if you have a selection of streaky windows on your hands.
Sometimes, it is a whole lot easier cleaning the interior windows and simply leaving the exterior side, but this will not provide that clean (see: transparent) finish you’re after.
Take a cleaning solution of your choice and mix it with some warm water to wash down the outside windows. Quick note; that handy vinegar spray you use on your shower glass may not alone work for the exterior dirt and grime. You’ll want to mix some dishwasher detergent in with vinegar for better results.
Once they are looking clean, buff them up with a microfibre cloth and you will be sure to see your windows gleaming from a mile away. Or, at least, from a comfortable vantage point in your garden.
Read: 10 eco-friendly cleaning tips for big spring clean
Add An Outdoor Seating Area
Now, what better way to prepare for summer than to add a seating area to your garden, whether that’s out front or back?
An alternative to sitting inside in a dull living room (sorry to make silly assumptions) is just what you need with the summer months approaching.
Luxurious outdoor furniture can certainly be on the pricier side, we know, but if you shop around (especially on online retailers) you’ll find some outdoor seating suitable for you.
Or, think outside the IKEA box with your chill-out area furniture for best results. We think hammocks and garden swing seats offer a groovy alternative to the traditional garden bench. Much better for indulging in an afternoon of reading or a post-barbeque nap, this style of seating is perfect in encouraging spending long summer days enjoying your beautiful garden. And that’s why you’re here, right?
We can smell that barbecue smoke already.
Invest In A Hot Tub
One of the next exterior home improvement ideas, especially for the summer, has got to be the addition of a hot tub. Sure, a heated pool in our back gardens would be a much greater idea but unfortunately, not everyone has the facilities or space for that, especially in the UK.
During the era of endless lockdowns (remember that?!), hot tub sales soared, because, well, what else was there to do? If you are late to the hot tub trend then not to worry, that increased demand has somewhat levelled off now, meaning prices have stabilised, too.
If you are concerned about the expense of a hot tub, consider a cheaper alternative; a lazy spa, perhaps, or even simply renting a hot tub strictly for the summer months!
Hot tubs even have a range of potential health benefits. What’s not to love?
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s go boost that kerb appeal!
