Today, I’m sharing some easy and fun ways to update the outside of your home (AKA curb appeal!) this fall. Summer may have come to a close but that doesn’t mean your house has to look sad! I know lots of you care about the outside of your home as much as I do, right? The feeling I get every time I drive up to my home is really special. It makes me feel so happy to see this home that my heartmate and I have built together. I had dreamed of owning a small cottage with a gravel driveway ever since I was a kid, so it’s no surprise that was one of the things I planned to up the home’s curb appeal right from the day we closed on the property. When we brought this house I naively thought I’d get all the exterior plans completed in a matter of months. Well, three and half years later and we’re almost done! So, it definitely took a little longer than I first imagined but it has been worth all the time and effort. Below, you can see plans I had when we closed on the house vs. how it looks now!
If like me, you are proud of the life you have built, don’t forget to protect that lifestyle for your family. September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, so it’s the perfect time to talk to your local State Farm agent to get covered. I have all the details on that later in this post, but first, I wanted to share some of the fall updates I’ve made to keep our house looking good as we head into a new season.
1) Fall Plants
Don’t be fooled into thinking that colorful flowers are only for Spring and Summer! Plants can be a quick, affordable, and easy way to add color to your house for Fall. I think we all need some bright and cheery color this year, and plangting Mums is a great way to achieve it. Plus, shopping them from small nurseries is a great way to support local businesses. My advice is to keep it simple to if you want a wow effect, so stick to a couple of colors and create an ombre. I choose to plant an ombre bed that runs the length of the driveway. I love the striking and color effect it has as your eye follows the Mums going from a golden yellow at the front to a ruby red at the back.
If this seems too daunting, or you lack the space, placing two pots either side of your front door is a great way to add a splash of fall color on a smaller scale. Pick a bold color, like burnt orange, and it will make you smile for the next 4-6 weeks every time you come home!
2) Protect Your Projects
Did you catch me building my first garden gate earlier this year?! It wasn’t perfect but I was really proud of it as it was my first-time doing woodwork. If you’re also a first-time homeowner and did any garden improvements this year using wood, or have wooden garden furniture, then listen up! Don’t forget to protect them so they stay looking good through next year. You have spent time, money, and effort making the yard look great so don’t waste it now! Head down to your local hardware store and they can help you with the best treatment. I went with a clear sealer for my gate in the hopes that it will retain it’s natural cedar look.
3) Door Hardware
It’s likely been a tough summer for the exterior of your house, too. Here on the east coast we’ve had strong storms and months of burning sunshine. So, it’s no surprise that door hardware can look a little less than happy by the time fall comes around. Luckily, I have a really easy hack to brighten up black door hardware. It takes a few minutes and makes the hardware look great!
Grab a lint-free cloth, paper towel works great, and add a small amount of vegetable oil to the paper towel. Then, rub all over the black metal hardware. Don’t apply too much, but if you have an excess you can always wipe off with a paper towel. The oil should nicely absorb into the metal and leaves it looking almost brand new!
4) Lawn and Shrub Prep
Fall is also a great time to get your lawn and shrubs looking healthy. The intense heat of the summer can be tough on the lawn. so fall is a great time to give it some loving care while it’s still growing. Now is the perfect time to re-seed any areas that maybe got a bit too much action over the summer. It’s much easier to keep the re-seeded areas moist right now as it’s cooler, and this is important as they need these conditions to grow. I also like to apply a fall/winter weed preventer and fertilizer. Most garden centers have this in a bag and it only takes 20 minutes to apply to your lawn. It will help the lawn look green for longer through fall, and next spring it should bounce back quicker. A little work now will give you that green verdant lawn next year! Plus, if like me you planted lavender this year, now is a great time to cut it back so it doesn’t get too ‘woody.’
I know so many of you have spent time, energy, and money building amazing spaces for your family to enjoy. Life insurance can help ensure your family continues to enjoy the same quality of life should you pass away prematurely. As September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, I visited with my local State Farm agent, Virginia Chan, to find out more. Life insurance helps protect your family by providing money so they don’t have to worry about expenses should the worst happen. Virginia helpfully explained everything to me over a video call , and I discovered how easy it is to get started and apply for life insurance.
What surprised me most from my chat with our State Farm agent, Virginia, was that the younger you buy life insurance, the more affordable the policy can be. I also learned that State Farm has a whole bunch of life insurance policies to choose from so you can find the right thing to suit your needs and budget.
So, today has never been a better day to get started! A good first step is to reach out to your local State Farm agent like I did. I feel so much better now that I have coverage for my heartmate should the worst happen. Find your local State Farm agent or go online to learn more and get started with a life insurance quote today.
This post was sponsored advertising content by State Farm.
