Your first holiday season with your new home that you have bought used is the perfect time to make it yours. The former owner might have left behind some decorative elements or outdoor planters and accessories that you don’t necessarily want around your home.

Don’t do everything, do the little things that are easy to make. By creating a welcoming entrance and carefully selecting decorations, you can have a fresh and modern look for your home without spending too much.

1. Assess the Existing Outdoor Features.

Consider the actual good outdoor characteristics.

When buying new decorations, take a stroll around your home and see what you have to redecorate. Look at the front entrance, porch, driveway, garden beds and outdoor gathering spaces.

Make three simple categories to sort out your choices:

  • Keep: Items that are still useful and meet your preferences.
  • Remove: Any broken accessories or decorations that are clutter.
  • Revisit later: Things that require further consideration, repair or more money.
  • This will help you save money and concentrate on the improvements that will have the greatest impact.

2. Update old decorative hardware

Older homes may have decorative ironwork, which may be a taste of the previous owners. Old house numbers, knockers, gate fittings and decorative brackets can all have a bearing on the overall look of a house entrance.

Before replacing these features, check them out.

  • Clean working, functional hardware; good appearance.
  • Secure loose connections and deal with small maintenance problems.
  • Replace broken parts that could be unsafe or unsightly.
  • Maintain outstanding architectural features that fit in with the house’s style.

With some judicious touches, the front can be updated without a ton of work.

3. Get rid of Unused Planters and Faded Accessories

Decorative items, wreaths for the seasons and welcome signs can also pile up over the years. These items can become damaged or faded, and, if that happens, the entrance may look like it is neglected.

Go through your current accessories and see what is worth wearing again for another season.

Try these easy changes:

  • Maintain planters to match the entry and keep them upkeep.
  • Take out broken containers and extra decorations.
  • Recycle pretty empty planters for seasonal plantings.
  • Refresh or change outdoor cushions and decorative signs, before returning them.
  • Use a uniform color scheme for uniformity.

A clean porch and unobstructed walkway will have a greater impact than a decorated entrance.

4. Wash the exterior before cosmetic alterations are done.

Outside surfaces can appear to be older than they really are due to dirt, mildew, algae and build-up in the area. Cleaning the exterior of the car is often an effective pre-treatment of the vehicle’s exterior before deciding whether to repaint the siding, replace the trim, or do other exterior work.

House washing provides a good indication of the condition of siding, concrete, exterior trim, and other surfaces. After the buildup is taken off, you’ll be able to make more informed decisions on what improvements are needed.

Homeowners researching house washing before exterior painting in Fort Pierce can explore professional exterior cleaning as part of their preparation process. Cleaning first can help inform decisions about painting, although damaged paint, peeling finishes, and other defects still require proper assessment and preparation.

Here are some tips to bear in mind before painting:

  • Clean from the surface of suitable organic deposits and dirt.
  • Give cleaned surfaces adequate drying time.
  • Look for peeling paint, warped wood, and other issues.
  • Make any required repairs prior to applying a new finish.
  • Select the proper cleaning technique for exterior materials.

Some surfaces are not suitable for high-pressure washing. A more gentle cleaning method may be required for delicate siding, painted wood and other materials that are sensitive.

Personalize the Entrance Without a Major Renovation

Not all of the elements of creating a welcoming entrance is costly and will not involve a complete makeover of the porch. Minor deliberate changes can help the place feel more homey.

Begin with front door, welcome mat and existing hardware. If they are still in good condition, a deep clean might be sufficient.

A few touches of the season can also be added:

  • Display a basic holiday wreath.
  • Place matching planters beside the entrance.
  • Include additional warm outdoor lighting.
  • Place seasonal foliage in front of the door.
  • Use a simple and easy to replace welcome mat.

Consider the practicality of decorations; make sure there is enough room for them. Keep the accessories to a minimum, so as to not make a small porch feel overcrowded, and keep it out of paths.

When decorating with electricity outdoors, use outdoor rated products and keep cords out of walking areas.

5. Maintain Instead of Decorate

With all the inherited features requiring attention, it can be costly to prepare for the holidays. Prioritize to prevent you from spending money on cosmetic work and neglecting proper maintenance.

Solve safety and maintenance issues before:

  • Lose railing or steps.
  • Drainage problems around the entrance.
  • Failing exterior materials and/or paint.
  • Exposed electrical components and damaged outdoor lighting.

After these are done, consider decorating garden beds, replacing decorative hardware or repainting trim.

Large, costly projects should be postponed until after the holidays.

6. Make a simple refreshing plan.

A practical plan assists you organize renovations so that you’re not remodelling your initial holiday season.

Use this checklist to get started:

  • Check entrance and outside spaces.
  • Submit any accessories that were found to be inherited to keep, remove, or revisit categories.
  • Wash the outside first, before painting or replacing.
  • Solve any safety and maintenance issues.
  • Add a few seasonal decorating items in harmony.
  • Wait until you have a more specific budget to make nonessential changes.

These steps can be executed in a gradual manner to make it easier and to avoid unnecessary purchases.

Avoiding the hassles of the first holiday season.

Don’t assume that when you purchase a home that has been lived in by someone else that all of their belongings have to be removed. Frequently, the most successful outcome is to preserve functional elements, clean existing surfaces, eliminate unnecessary clutter and incorporate some individual touches.

Cleanliness, safety and entrance areas are all in the first place. Once the holidays are over, review the remaining features and determine which upgrades will provide a good return on your time and investment.

A welcoming home can be created simply by the thoughtful application of elements, and with minimal or no major renovation.