September 8, 2015 • Page 18 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com all home improvement F & car care Budget-friendly Inexpensive ways to boost a outdoor renovation ideas home’s curb appeal Homeowners are increasingly extending their living spaces outside the walls of their homes. Expansive and intricate stonework patios and decked-out outdoor kitchens are the kind of additions many homeowners dream of. Those with unlimited budgets can enjoy just about any look they desire, but many homeowners may not have the money to go all the way with their outdoor living spaces. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to create budget-friendly spaces that are functional, fun and eye catching. Decks and patios are popular gathering spots outside a home, and homeowners have numerous inexpensive options at their disposal when choosing patio materials. And those who can do their own labor when installing a patio can save a substantial amount of money. Instead of higherpriced composite or resin decks, homeowners can go with standard wood, which will need to be stained periodically. Scaling back the size of the deck means less materials to buy and less labor involved. The cost of patio blocks depends on the material and style. Poured concrete patios will cost less than placed blocks or stones because concrete is less labor-intensive. For those who desire the look of patio blocks without the cost, stamped concrete can mimic the look for less. Homeowners may not need to replace patio furniture, even if chairs and tables have seen better days. A can of spray paint can cover up any rusted areas or spots where paint has peeled off due to exposure to the elements. Updating cushions and purchasing a coordinat- Curb appeal can go a long way toward making a home more attractive to its inhabitants as well as prospective buyers once the house is put on the market. Improving curb appeal is a goal for many homeowners, and while many projects aimed at making homes more aesthetically appealing can be costly, there are ways for cost-conscious homeowners to improve their properties without breaking the bank. • Put your green thumb to use. A well-maintained landscape can dramatically improve a home’s curb appeal. Pay attention to the plants, shrubs and trees throughout your property, watering them during periods of little rainfall and trimming them when necessary so your lawn does not look like an overgrown, neglected suburban jungle. Professional landscaping services can help you maintain your property, but even if your budget A little spray paint or some new cushions can refresh older patio furniture and give the outdoor space a com- does not allow for such an expense, you can still make pletely new look. sure your landscape adds to ing umbrella can revitalize ties to save. your home’s appeal by keepthe patio’s entire look. Also, Sometimes saving means ing a watchful eye on the very often stores run sales repurposing antiques or property and addressing any to clear out merchandise for items found at garage sales. issues that arise. Maintain new displays. Thanks to the Internet, your lawn through the colder Defining edges of planting people can easily advertise months of the year as well, borders and refreshing the items they no longer need or making sure no one walks landscape may be all that is desire. A person can search on the grass when frost has needed to improve the yard. for backyard items they settled, as doing so can proThis is easily achieved with need at a deep discount if duce dead spots throughout inexpensive mulch and some they are fine with previously the lawn. vinyl edging. While cleaning used materials. From patio • Redo your front door. up the yard, use a pressure furniture to masonry blocks While their eyes may washer to clean stains off of to above-ground pools, initially be drawn to a wellsiding and patios and create patient homeowners can manicured lawn, prospective a like-new appearance. find just about any item they buyers will eventually find End-of-season sales can may need to upgrade their their way to the front door. also be the ideal opportubackyards. If your door is especially nity to purchase big-ticket Though not all homeown- old, consider replacing it. If items like a pool, a hot tub ers can afford to create the your budget does not allow or an outdoor fireplace/ backyard of their dreams, for such an expense, you fire pit. Shoppers can learn with a little ingenuity and can still give your home’s when stores discount their some sweat hard work, front entrance an entirely merchandise to make room homeowners can still create new look by installing some for new inventory and then an outdoor oasis. inexpensive molding around use these sales as opportunithe door before giving the Maintaining plant life on a property won’t cost homeowners a lot of money, but such an effort can add substantial curb appeal to a home. door a fresh coat of paint. Molding around the front door can make an entrance more impressive, while a new coat of paint can make a home feel warmer and more vibrant. • Plant flowers. Another inexpensive way to make a home more appealing is to plant some colorful flowers around the property. Line walkways with flowers native to your region, as such plants will last longer than exotic alternatives that may not be capable of adapting to the local climate. In addition to lining walkways, hang window boxes filled with colorful flowers or plants outside naked windows. Doing so can make windows seem larger and add some color to your home’s exterior. Another creative way to make use of colorful flowers is to place a few planters at the foot of your driveway and painting the numbers of your address on the planters. This can be both effortless and inexpensive, but it can instantly make a home more inviting to prospective buyers. • Spotlight certain parts of your property. Many homeowners focus on improving the curb appeal of their property during the daytime hours, but you can take steps to make a home more appealing at night as well. Solar spotlights placed around trees and other attractive features in your yard can shed light on those areas of your property you’re most proud of, even after the sun has gone down. Solar spotlights won’t add to your energy bill, as they are powered by the sun, and they can make certain accents on your property stand out at night. Improving curb appeal may sound like a significant undertaking, but there are many ways budget-conscious homeowners can make their home’s exterior more appealing without going broke. If you read this you know... advertising pays! Call the Missouri Valley Shopper at 665-5884 or stop by to place your ad today! 319 Walnut St. • Yankton MV Shopper • (605) 665-1175 • MV Shopper Job Hunting? M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y Fax: (605) 665-1074 Toll Free: 1-888-665-1175 2409 E Hwy. 50 Yankton, SD 57078 The Help Wanted section can help. There’s something for everyone in the Shopper! Place your ad now: 605-665-5884 500 Burleigh Yankton, SD (605)665-7731 308 Capital Yankton yankton@hedahls.com 1702 Broadway, Yankton, SD • Transmissions • Transfer Cases • Differentials Becker p Body Sho Direct Repair Facility for all major insurance companies! Paintless Dent Repair - Glass Installation Fiberglass Work - Complete Body Repair 605.665.5925 REAL ESTATE RENTALS AUTOMOTIVE EMPLOYMENT MERCHANDISE COUPONS The Missouri Valley Shopper and missourivalleyshopper.com is your complete source for buying and selling. Everything you need is just a click or call away! UP TO 50% more coverage Put a good face on a bad deck 75 square feet in 2 coats! SALE $29.99 (Reg. $34.99) Sept. 8th to Sept. 22nd To place your ad call... 605.665.5884 MV Shopper M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y 2409 N. Broadway Yankton, SD 605-665-9651