Upgrade your building without spending the earth

If you’re looking to change the aesthetic of your building, improve its appeal or increase its value, a simple way to do so is to make changes to the interior and exterior of the property. Improving the environment in which you live, and may well work, is great for your mental and emotional wellbeing too.

With the wealth of information available today, and various forms of inspiration to be found across the internet and social media, you can get some great ideas while also getting the skills you need to implement them. By following a few simple tips, you can make your interior and exterior upgrades a success with as little headache as possible.

Discover more budget-friendly ways to add instant kerb appeal.

Your front door is the first thing you and visitors see of your home, so if your door is tired and tatty it can have a negative impact on the aesthetic of the whole property. A new, modern door in an interesting and eye-catching colour will transform your home. If the door itself is working and stable, just a fresh coat of paint will make all the difference. There are also many great accessories and decorations you can add to enhance the entranceway to your home. These accessories can be adapted throughout the year, to add seasonal vibes to your home and a creative and eye-catching element to your front door.

Learn how to hang a new door.

Try and think beyond plain colours and standard wallpaper designs and look into murals and wall graphics. These are affordable and easy ways to create an imaginative space full of colour and life in the style that you like. You have full control over the ambience you want to create! A relaxing woodland scene or an interesting city scape will bring your walls to life. Think outside the box and add a spark of personality to your home and a sense of adventure for your guests and visitors. Remember less is more, so don’t go overboard. Concentrate on one or two walls and that will be just enough to add an element of creativity without making it overwhelming and distracting.

We show you how to paint a room.

Modern flooring materials are a simple and efficient way of completely transforming a room literally from the ground up. A new floor, or a new floor rug will change the look of a room while adding some colour. If you want to save the expense of new carpets, a new cosy rug may be just the trick. If you can find a material that is long lasting and easy to clean, the new floor will be more than a quick splurge but a worthwhile investment.

You don’t need to have a grand walled garden or neatly trimmed lawn to have a great outside space that makes a statement and improves the look and feel of your whole property. The fact is that your outside space is the part of your home that every passerby will see, so it may feel a little daunting when it comes to dealing with it. However, with a little more time, effort and thought to invest in the landscaping around your building, you will create a great space that also boosts the value of the property. A beautiful combination of trees, shrubs, flowers and other greenery, will prove to others your level of taste and style. You don’t have to be an expert gardener with green fingers, but with a little research on the internet you’ll be able to teach yourself the basic skills you need to make a success of your outside space. Studies have proven the benefits of outside space and gardening on mental health so you’ll be doing yourself a favour by creating a space you can work in and relax in too.

Here are 10 kerb appeal landscaping ideas you can DIY.

Lights aren’t just for inside the house, but they can make a great impact on your outside space. Besides adding an element of security and safety, outdoor lighting will make your home look more appealing and attractive and show off the architectural focal points of your building. You could install electric lighting or if your outside space is naturally well lit, solar powered lights may work well too and save you some money on electricity.

Here are more exterior lighting tips.

Window boxes are attractive and easy to install, making your home sure to stand out in the street. Use materials that can withstand the weather and various outside elements. The plants and flowers you add to your window boxes will add bursts of colour to your property. They are also a great option if your outside space is small and limiting. Window boxes look good and are easy to maintain, and some of the plants you have can grow and bloom all year round, adding colour to your home even in the darkest depths of winter.

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Source: readersdigest.co.uk