1 landscape love 

There are plenty of ways to give your yard a boost. Trimming overgrown shrubs and trees will create a neat appearance. For more color, plant flowers.  

Annuals only last one season, but they bloom all summer. Sunflowers and zinnia are easy to grow from seeds. Sales on annuals usually start in late spring, and you may see deeper discounts by July. 

Perennials usually don’t flower all season, but they will return every year. Most native perennials are easy to grow and attract pollinators, like bees and butterflies. Neighbors, friends and family may want to share some perennial flowers with you.   

2 pretty potted plants 

If you’re not a fan of yard work or have a small outdoor space, try a container garden. A few potted flowers near the front door will give your home a friendly vibe. They can brighten your backyard, too.   

3 paint your front door 

Giving your front door a new coat of paint will make your home more inviting. You can’t go wrong with neutral colors. For a modern look, try a bright color.  

4 pressure wash 

Has your outdoor furniture, barbeque grill, patio or deck collected grime over the years? Maybe it’s time to clean it. If you don’t own a pressure washer, try borrowing or renting one. You can use it to clean house exteriors, driveways, windows, bikes, cars, garbage bins, fences and more.  

These tools can be powerful, so be sure to follow recommendations and guidelines in the instruction manual.  

5 mailbox makeover 

There are many ways to update your mailbox. First, clean and repair it, if needed. Then, you could paint it a cheerful color. Try stencils for an interesting design. If your mailbox is in the ground, try planting flowers around it. Potted flowers are great, too. Look for interesting mailboxes in your neighborhood to gather more makeover ideas.  

1 personalize your space 

Displaying framed photos and artwork is a wonderful way to express your unique personality and style. Inexpensive frames can be found at stores, garage sales and thrift shops. Need ideas of what to frame? Children’s drawings, calendar images, postcards or even artwork from greeting cards are all great options.  

2 bring the outdoors in 

Plants and flowers give life, color and texture to indoor spaces. Small succulents are usually inexpensive and they don’t take up much space. Try asking friends, family and neighbors for cuttings of their houseplants. Another idea is growing herbs from seeds. In addition to looking nice, you can cook with them — yum. 

3 cabinet handles and drawer pulls 

Replacing cabinet handles and drawer pulls is an easy way to give your kitchen or bathroom a different look. Consider which metal tone and style you like best. Modern? Traditional? Choosing is half the fun. 

4 try a lighting lift 

Lighting can change the mood of a room and make a design statement. Before browsing new lamps or light fixtures, take time to think about how big and bright they need to be. Also, consider the money-saving benefit of lighting that uses LED bulbs. LEDs use less energy and have a longer life.¹    

5 boost your bathroom 

Want to refresh your bathroom? Try one of these inexpensive updates:

• replace the showerhead or sink faucet 
• add new switch plates and outlet covers 
• re-caulk the tub 
• steam clean the tile and grout 
• add bright, summer color with a new bath mat, shower curtain or soap dispenser 

It’s amazing how small home updates like these can make a big difference. Thankfully, they don’t need to cost much money. Whether you decide to tackle a home project or not, we hope you have a fabulous summer.   

¹ https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/lighting-choices-save-you-money