Refreshing the front porch is just one way to brighten up the exterior of your home. And creating a fresh new look right at your front door doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, you can do it all yourself on a budget.

Get started with these suggestions on how to turn the heads of all the neighbors as they walk past your home.

1. Paint the Front Door
   It's surprising how a fresh coat of paint on your front door can help spruce up the space! It's a perfect opportunity to make a colorful statement, and it doesn't cost much, nor is it labor-intensive. 
   
   
2. Paint the Porch
   Cover that gray -- the dull gray of your porch concrete, that is, by painting it. Before you start, repair cracks and clean the porch thoroughly. Be sure to use special concrete paint and sealer.
   
   
3. Add or Change the Furniture
   Decking out the porch with a couple of outdoor chairs can complement a decorating theme or just contribute to a relaxed setting. Mix and match new, contemporary styles, or evoke a farmhouse charm with rockers and colorful cushions in vintage-looking fabrics. Don't forget to place a table between them, so you've got a place to set the coffee in the mornings or drinks to watch the sun go down. This project may cost a bit more, but you'll get good use out of your porch furniture. Also, if you are improving your front porch before listing among the other Belleville homes for sale, this will allow buyers to envision themselves enjoying the space.
   
   
4. Say it with Flowers
   Flowers can brighten the most ordinary home exterior. Big pots full of colorful annuals and homemade porch railing planters with seasonal changes of blooming plants will go a long way toward brightening your home's front entrance. Think about how much sun and shade you're dealing with when making your plant selections. 
   
   
5. Put Some Light on the Subject
   Installing new lighting is an easy way to jazz up your porch, as long as you're comfortable with the installation. Most lighting you purchase at the home improvement store comes with instructions that will walk you through the installation. Don't stop with the overhead lights: add Mason jars with fairy lights for a whimsical accent, or a solar LED candle lantern or two. 
   
   
6. Add a Porch Swing
   These days you're not limited to the minimalist look of the traditional porch swing, made simply out of 2 X 4s and swing chain -- although there's nothing wrong with that. There are some fancy alternatives, including porch swing beds (imagine the possibilities!). Joists aren't in the right place to support your porch swingers' weight? A retro-looking porch glider can do the trick. 
   
   
7. Don't Forget the Pillows
   Did we mention how much fun it is to brighten things up in your chairs, or on your swing or porch glider with brightly colored and boldly patterned pillows? Complement or contrast with your door or porch colors.

Our REALTORS® are experts at helping homeowners bring out the best in their homes and making a good impression with potential buyers. Contact us today.