Fall is here, with a crisp chill in the air and a serious emphasis on pumpkin spice, this means that it’s time to break out your fall home maintenance checklist!
There are many things to love about this colorful season, including more cozy time spent at home and sharing the holidays with guests and relatives.
Make the most out of autumn by investing some time in home improvement projects that boost the curb appeal of your house.
The Importance of Fall Home Maintenance
There are many aspects to fall home maintenance. On one hand, fall is the perfect time to start prepping your home for the cold.
This includes preparing your roof, windows, and gutters for winter.
On the other hand, with so many festive fall activities, it’s also the best time to bring some fall joy into your home through some creative projects.
Here are 7 fall home maintenance projects that will boost curb appeal and accomplish both.
1. Add A Little Something Special
Does your home fade into the backdrop of your neighborhood, impossible to tell apart from the other houses on your block? Take the ‘blah’ out of your exterior by adding interest or an element of distinction.
A fresh coat of paint on your front door can be inviting and memorable. We recommend trying non-traditional paint colors such as turquoise, sunshine yellow, nautical blue, lime, mint or candy red.
Consider choosing a color that complements your trim, either engineering a sharp contrast or a tone that plays up a theme.
Another option to personalize your façade is by incorporating a floral or botanical element, or a piece of art such as a sculpture or mural.
Use a bamboo screen to create an elongated entryway to your door. Make cedar like branches, holly, juniper, mistletoe and pinecones. Have the family collect beach-washed rocks, glass, sticks or logs to make a hodgepodge sculpture as garden art.
2. Go for a New Look Altogether
Your fall home maintenance project doesn’t have to stop at your door color. Grab fall by the reigns and go for a new exterior paint color all together.
Depending on the type of building materials, most houses should be repainted every 3-10 years. Faded or outdated exterior paint is a risk to the integrity of your home, leaving you more vulnerable to weather damage and the effects of aging. Don’t wait until the paint has begun to crack or chip, as this will require more preparatory work like sanding.
A fresh coat of exterior paint on your house is an excellent way to boost curb appeal and add value to your home.
Consumer Reports describes the most popular and attractive colors for Fall 2018. Many homeowners are opting for modern shades in cooler hues of blue and grey, departing from the traditional warm beige’s of former years.
Again, if you end up opting for a neutral color, consider a contrasting trim in a brighter or richer tone.
3. Prepare for a Worry-Free Season
Many people overlook the importance of winterizing the home by waterproofing. This also helps preserve the exterior appearance and boosts property value.
Windows, balconies and siding can be waterproofed, along with leak prevention for stucco and other types of roofing. Repairing damaged or cracked exterior elements is also critical to preparing your home for the fall and winter seasons.
Moisture and humidity can bring leaks, condensation, rot and mold.
It is estimated that more than half of basements in US homes suffer from moisture damage. Sealants and stains are commonly used to waterproof and should be checked or reapplied by every one or two years.
4. Get Into the Holiday Spirit
Whether it’s twinkle lights or jack-o-lanterns, everyone in the neighborhood loves to see homes that are tastefully decorated for the holidays. Not only do these Pinterest-approved projects add curb appeal, but it’s also a great opportunity to get kids involved or throw a party for friends.
Tape good old-fashioned paper snowflakes to the inside of your windows. A can of decorative snow spray paint for windows goes a long way, especially with snowflake-shaped stencils.
Real or artificial corn stalks are able to be sourced from local farms or purchased at the craft store. Better yet, they look stunning placed around lamp posts or columns, along with real or artificial fall leaves.
Don’t be shy about decorating the trees in your yard as if they are Christmas trees, by adding waterproof decorations in glimmering metallics.
5. You Can Never Have Enough Pumpkins
Pumpkin projects abound this holiday season, and your home exterior is not exempt from the fun. Pumpkins are inexpensive, easily accessible, and add a lovely pop of color to a front yard or garden. They also come in a variety of types and sizes, making them appropriate as a fun fall detail or striking centerpiece.
Line your walkway with a row of pumpkins. You can make it look more rustic or organic by choosing pumpkins random sizes and shapes.
Use pumpkins as flower planters or vases by carving out the inside and carefully transferring the substrate and plant together into the empty space, letting the tips peak out the top of the pumpkin. Wrap wide ribbon and tie a bow around pumpkins. Grab a can of gold spray paint and paint some pumpkins entirely, while leaving others their natural orange.
6. Know Your Fall Foliage
Maintaining a beautiful and functional home exterior into the winter months is a challenge. One shortcut to a charming front space is the addition of flowers, plants and veggies that are able to withstand the cold. Mums, aster, dianthus, sweet alyssum, black-eyed Susan and celosia are known to be hearty enough to withstand dipping fall temperatures.
Fall home maintenance often includes removing all dead flowers, trees, and leaves from your yard. Avoid this step by choosing plants that will re-grow.
Get creative by using a red wagon or old-fashioned silver wash buckets as planters. A vegetable garden doesn’t have to be hidden away in favor of more aesthetic flowers. Veggies like kale, lettuce, pepper and squash come in off-beat colors and blooming shapes, making them a healthy and attractive garden component for the amateur farmer.
7. Take Your Doormat Up a Notch
Face it, the doormat is the fall MVP of the household, catching muddy feet and slick rain boots before they track into the house. A doormat is also an important element, reflecting your family’s style and values. This winter, welcome your holiday party guests with a fun, personalized doormat.
Purchase a simple, plain doormat and dress it up by using homemade or purchased stencils, along with durable acrylic paint. Attempt a fall leaf or a line of pine trees, or go for a spookier theme by painting on a black cat, spiderwebs or a creepy jack-o-lantern grin. Another idea for your mat is lettering that spells out seasonal-inspired words and phrases like “Come in from the cold…”, “Happy Holidays” or a minimalistic monogram.
Conclusion
Get creative this autumn with your fall home maintenance tasks. Ensure your home is properly prepared for winter, but also have fun with it!
