Just as the rooms of our homes need decluttering every now and then, so does the outside of our houses. Decluttering your home’s exterior simplifies spring home maintenance tasks because there will be fewer items you’ll have to move around. It also makes your outdoor living spaces more inviting, boosts curb appeal, and improves your sense of well-being.
Tidy up the front yard.
A tidy front yard is the first step toward great curb appeal. Winter can leave its mark on your lawn. Raking away the debris helps sun, air, and water reach roots and deliver nutrients to the soil that keep the lawn healthy.
Mow the grass if needed.
Prune shrubs and trees growing close to the gutters, siding, and roof. Trim hedges to improve their health and maintain an aesthetically pleasing shape.
Tidy up the backyard.
While a unorganized backyard doesn’t impact your curb appeal as much as a cluttered front yard, it can encourage avoidance, underutilization, stress, and pests. Some ways to tidy up the backyard and make to functional and mosquito-free are:
- Eliminate places standing water can accumulate such as wheel barrows, watering cans, empty planters, and wading pools
- Put away patio furniture not currently being used
- Donate any gently used outdoor furniture that you haven’t used in at least a year
- Repair or repurpose items you would like to keep
- Throw out items that are broken beyond repair
- Organize recycling bins – park them out of sight if possible
- Remove indoor items that have found their way outdoors
Put the car in the garage.
Consistently leaving the car parked in front of the garage adds visual clutter to your home’s exterior. If your garage is a magnet for forgotten toys, old bicycles, unorganized tools, lawncare equipment you no longer use, and other miscellaneous items too important to throw out or recycle, make room for the one thing that should be stored in the garage. A yard sale and a scheduled organize-the-garage day are two spring DIY projects that can help put your vehicle back where it belongs.
Pay attention to hardscaped areas.
Power wash the driveway, entry door steps, and walkways to remove dirt, grime, and mildew.
Remove broken or unused items from the porch or patio.
Spruce up the entryway. Wash the front door or paint it a different colour. Repaint tired looking trim.
Bring an old fence back to life with a fresh application of stain or sealant, new contrasting paint colours, or a decorative arbour gate.
Have a place for everything.
The simplest way to declutter your home’s exterior is to not leave stuff lying around. Have a place for everything and keep it there. Budget-friendly ideas for storing things include
- A small shed for garden tools, lawn mower, and seasonal items
- A deck box for toys, throws on cool nights, and anything else you want to hide away
- Hanging racks and bins designed to make the most of the space in a garage
- Dual-purpose patio furniture such as benches with lift tops, chairs with underneath storage, and outdoor loungers with concealed compartments
Decluttering your home’s exterior doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Once everything has been tidied and organized, don’t forget to add those personal little touches – a new mailbox, a welcome mat, potted plants lining the front steps – that welcome visitors and enhance curb appeal.
