Blog: 5 Exterior Improvement Projects You Can Tackle This Weekend

When you lead a busy life, taking on a big remodeling project can seem like an impossible feat. Whether you’re logging long hours at the office or balancing your kid’s schedule with your own, finding enough time to catch your breath—let alone start something new—might not seem feasible.

But what if there was a way to give your home an instant facelift—something you could do on your own or with a couple of friends and finish in just one weekend?

From knocking out repairs to adding visual details, there are several ways to improve your home’s curb appeal in just a day or two. If you’re ready for a simple change that will add beauty and value to your property, check out these five exterior improvement projects you can tackle this weekend.

2. Install Lighting

Installing lighting in unexpected places, like underneath your soffits, illuminates your home’s architecture and creates visual interest even after the sun goes down. Check your local lighting supplier for lights that are rated for outdoor use and fire safety, and position lights in areas that accentuate the best architectural features of your home.

Remember to include lights above and below overhangs (to keep sections from getting lost in shadows), and consider adding lighting in less prominent corners, as well, for additional security.

There are also some great solar-powered lighting options on the market. Installing these along pathways or around your garden helps to brighten things up and creates a warm, welcoming outdoor ambiance.

3. Find Your Green Thumb

You don't need a farm, or even a whole garden, to enjoy fresh fruit or vegetables. Plan it right, and you can grow a lot of food in a small space.

Herbs, fruits and veggies all grow well in pots and other containers, but they must be the right size, with appropriate drainage. Strawberry pots have planting pockets on the sides and work great for herbs or other berries, or a window-box garden can add a fresh touch to your exterior. Make use of vertical space and mount pots on walls, balconies, or roof overhangs—just make sure that excess, draining water doesn’t cause damage to the adjoining wall or floor.

Weekends are also a great time to refresh your current landscaping design. Clear out any weeds or dying plants and change them out with foliage that’s in season.

4. Build a Fire Pit

Adding a fire pit to your yard is a great way to dress up your home’s exterior and provides an excuse to enjoy more downtime on both warm and cool evenings. Research local regulations to make sure outdoor fires are permitted in your area, then determine the size of your fire pit and map out the required distance between your fire pit and your home based on any safety requirements. Depending on the size and shape of your design, you may also need to do some digging—make sure to find out where any utility lines are buried before you begin!

When it comes to designing your fire pit, the possibilities are endless. Choose materials (typically stone or brick) that are approved for use around fire and heat, and consider tackling related projects such as seating or walls to future weekend to-do lists.

With the right planning and preparation, accomplishing bite-sized renovations during your weekend can quickly transform the look and function of your home. Keeping the complexity of each project to a minimum will help you to focus on the task at hand and simplify your to-do list. If your dreams of transforming your home’s exterior reach beyond a two-day window, consider creating a long-term plan that allows you to break up your remodeling project into phases—maybe it’s more of a two-weekend job. By dividing an overwhelming plan into smaller pieces, the vision for your home will become more accessible, so you can build the dream space you’ve always wanted.