Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to spend a lot of time or money to make the outside of your home look as good as the inside. Not sure where to start? The experts at RubberMulch and RE/Max of New Jersey have teamed up to share their best tips on updating your home’s exterior this spring whether it’s to get it ready to sell or just to make it look more appealing.

• House Numbers—a super easy and affordable update is to replace house numbers. Today’s house numbers come in a wide variety of styles. Think chic, modern looking styles or utilize your DIY skills to make a rustic type that are attached to wood and hung on your home.

• Front Door—if your front door is in good condition but needs an update, skip purchasing a brand new door by applying a new coat of paint. With a good coat of primer and a couple coats of exterior paint, your door will look new and striking at first glance. Research shows that a home’s value can increase as much as $8,000 just by updating the front door. Take a look online for some of the more trendy door colors such as canary yellow, kelly green and shiny black.

• Exterior House Cleaning—realtors suggest a good, thorough cleaning of the front of your home can increase the value from $10,000-$15,000.If you stand back and look at the front of your home do you see mold, mildew, dirt and grunge? Pick up an exterior home cleaner or make your own recipes along with a brush to scrub the dollars back into your home.

• Mailbox—wobbly, dented and outdated mailboxes are an eyesore and unattractive to potential homebuyers. Replacing it will add more curb appeal to your home but will give it a little personality as well.

• Gutters—since plugged gutters shout “poor home maintenance,” clean out the leaves and weeds and make any necessary repairs. Plugged gutters can also lead to long term problems with the home and many buyers are warned to look for this problem and avoid a home that hasn’t had gutter upkeep.

• Windows and Trim—replace broken glass, scrape and paint trim and clean the inside and outside of windows until they shine. Brackets and decorative moldings can really make your exterior pop and are easy to install. Add a couple of window boxes to offer a cottage-like, homey appeal.

• Roof and Chimney—one of the last things a home buyer wants to see is a roof and chimney that needs work. This is an investment and deters many buyers from a home. It may cost you a bit to repair now but if you don’t, it will come off the bottom line of your home value. So make the repairs now for a better sale.

• Light Fixtures—strategically placed exterior lighting goes a long way. Exterior lighting is an easy and cost-effective way to add beauty and security to your home. It also highlights your beautiful landscaping and all the upgrades you’ve made to your home. It will also enhance photos a realtor takes of your home when putting it on the market. Think about uplighting to the landscaping and walkway, a hanging pendant light to the front doorway and additional lighting hung near the garage. Find styles that complement your home.

• Landscaping—this is the time to make an investment in some perennials, trees and bushes for your home if you haven’t already. Most plants you find at your local big box store or local nursery are typically easy to care for and right for your state. Finish off your garden beds with a nice border and quality mulch or rock. You’ll be amazed at how a little work on landscaping goes a long, long way.

 
Rubber Mulch is the original and environmentally responsible mulch made from 100% recycled rubber used in gardens, playgrounds and sustainable landscaping. Rubber Mulch is weather resistant, durable, and the most cost effective mulch around and is specifically designed to protect children from falls on the playground.

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Some say that the kitchen is the heart of the home. But sooner or later, time takes its toll. At some point, giving your kitchen an updated style becomes a necessity. Interior Designer, Kristi Witt, of www.kristiwittdesign.com shares with us the good news… it doesn’t take a lot of time or money to alter your kitchen in a way that will give it that extra pop!  For this new summer season, Kristi offers some of her simple tips for how to update your kitchen with the latest styles and trends, while still being financially responsible.

Kristi says… 

1. Paint: Paint is the cheapest, easiest and quickest way to get the most bang for a hard-earned buck – especially if you are the DIY type! Typically the area of square footage one would paint in a kitchen is much less than a normal room since you have cabinetry and fixtures that take up wall space you would otherwise need to paint. Certainly, there is less to paint in a kitchen, which means you can do it in a day or spread it out over a weekend. You don’t even have to paint the entire kitchen to make a drastic change… a focal wall will do the trick… or if your backsplash shares space with the wall under the cabinet, paint a coordinating pop of color there.

2. Art Work and Collectibles: Feature art on the walls the way you would your living room or dining room. Create a fun arrangement of related photos or one singular statement piece. You can even go so far as to light it with a picture light. Often there is empty space above the cabinetry if your ceiling is high and cabinets don’t reach it. If you have precious little counter space, consider going up, above the cabinets and utilize that valuable real estate! Take your favorite cookbooks, serving platters or basket collection and arrange them to be seen and appreciated on top of your cabinets. If you need to access anything a little step stool can be easily stored till you need to look up that tasty recipe. Those large serving pieces, dip bowls and cake pedestals you only bring out for parties are notorious storage space hogs, but when arranged above your cabinetry at varying heights they will look like show pieces and more importantly, will save you cabinet space.

3. Clear out the Clutter: Instead of bringing items in to liven up your kitchen, think about editing. If there’s anything you don’t need laying around making you regret you even have it, consider giving it to charity. Cookbooks you don’t use, pots and pans that are tired and dented, the old toaster you inherited that shocks you ever time you plug it in… if you have items that are simply taking up room (and if you have a small kitchen, remember: that is some prime cooking space!) go ahead and let it go. Once it is gone, you really won’t miss it!

4. Use What You Have: If you have a dining set or eat-in kitchen table you wish you could replace but can’t, think of giving it a happy coat of paint – an inexpensive way to refresh old furniture. If your chairs are in need of sprucing up, there are lots of shops with inexpensive seat cushions to be had – try Ikea for brand new or thrift shops for gently used, cheap and charming… or sew your own using some fabric or old curtain panel you might have saved in a box somewhere. Think about the dishes you own… are some only brought out on special occasions to be seen once a year? If so, try using them for everyday… that is what will make them special again. 

5. Layering:  A kitchen needs layers, the same as any room in your home (and the same as any fashionista with her camisole, long-sleeve tee, oversized sweater and colorful scarf!) A rug underfoot will not only add a pop of color but will help those tired feet from getting too achy after a hard day of cookie-baking. Flor is a company which makes inexpensive carpet tiles, in tons of colors and styles, that are easy to install and easy to clean. You can make your own pattern or go with one of the many patterns they put together for you – it’s up to you and can be as little as $10 a tile! Also a great buy are the indoor/outdoor rugs available now in most home decor stores. These rugs wear well and are made to take a bit of abuse from the weather, which make them perfect for high traffic, messy kitchens. Another option are resale shops…  go thrifting and see what you can find. Small-scale handmade rugs are often the ones easiest to find in thrift shops, as most people are looking for area rugs for other rooms of the house… don’t forget to kindly ask if they might consider going lower on the price – it never hurts to ask!

From integrating bold color and new art work, to eliminating the clutter and using things you already have, following these tips will truly reinvent any kitchen.

About Kristi Witt: 

Educated in fine art and graphic design, Kristi started out running her own catering and event-planning business in Memphis for 15 years, satisfying clients with beautifully executed parties and delicious menus. In addition to catering, she has operated her own home staging business since 2005 and has experience as a realtor. It is this varied experience that allows her to give clients a unique combination of creativity, practicality and perspective. Kristi contributes to various publications and has appeared as guest designer and lifestyle contributor for popular local television programs such as Home with Lisa Quinn and View from the Bay. Kristi, a member of the San Francisco Design Center, networks with talented contractors, painters, electricians and other building professionals in the Bay Area. Kristi is a contractor for Sales & Design at Flor, SF.

More information on Kristi Witt can be found at www.kristiwittdesign.com. 

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