6 Simple Steps to Get the Home Exterior You Always Wanted

Warmer weather and longer days are here, which means that you might be feeling motivated to spruce up your home—especially outdoors. One project that you might be contemplating is exterior painting. While the task can seem daunting, especially if you’re considering repainting your entire home, there are six simple steps that you can take to make the job a seamless one. Here’s what they are.

Assess Your Siding

Before you begin any exterior painting on your home, you need to assess your siding. The condition, age, material, and even the amount of sun that hits it need to be taken into consideration before you can do any sort of residential painting. If you notice peeling paint, warped siding, or gaps in your siding, you may need to consult with a professional before you go any further. Sometimes a few repairs will give you a nice canvas to work with, but sometimes you will be better off replacing your siding altogether. Most likely, your siding will need a good scrubbing and possibly sanding before you paint.

Consider Your Roof and Windows

It’s always a good idea to consider your roof and windows before planning a painting project. If you will need to replace either in the near future, consider delaying your painting plans until you know what color, style, or materials you will be using. You don’t want to repaint your home only to discover that you can’t replace your roof or windows in a coordinating style or color down the road.

Declutter

Some people find that exterior painting, whether it be on a house, shed, or fence, feels overwhelming simply because they have so much stuff. Declutter your yard, pathways, porches, and decks before you even choose a paint color. Doing so can help you see what really needs to be done and can help you envision what you really want in those spaces.

Update Your Landscaping

While you’re decluttering, you should also clean up or update your landscaping. Overgrown bushes, too-tall trees, and out-of-control weeds can hide your home and also make it really difficult to paint. Make a plan for your future landscape, pull out old plants, and try to paint first before planting anything new.

Choose Your Color

If you’re like a lot of people, you may be putting off your exterior painting projects because you can’t seem to choose a color. Rather than stress about it, do some research. Look through home improvement magazines, tour your neighborhood to see what you like, and consider your style to help you narrow down your choices. Light or neutral colors can blend well with nature, and you’ll be less likely to get bored with the color. Soft or cool colors, such as blues, can give you a feeling of calm and make your home feel more like a retreat at the end of a long workday. Warm or bright colors can make your home feel cheerful or welcoming, while dark or saturated colors can be inspiring or exciting. Try samples of some colors in different places to see how they look in different lights before you choose one. Be sure to allow the paint to dry before you decide—latex paint can take 2-3 hours to dry and will look different afterward.

Hire a Professional

Unless you have a very small home or own a lot of painting supplies, residential exterior painting jobs are best left to the professionals. Look online, ask around, or call local painters before you hire someone. Ask to see a portfolio and schedule a consultation to ask questions, get advice, or express any concerns in advance.

If you’re on the fence about exterior painting—or even interior painting—start slow and make a plan. Taking your time and getting the job done right the first time can save you money, time, and headaches. It can also leave you with a beautiful home that makes you smile every time you come back to it.