As the warm days of summer approach, you likely spend a lot of time setting up your backyard patio and garden. Once everything is clean, fresh, and ready for entertaining, you’ll happily welcome your guests to this private oasis behind your home, but is the front of your house sending the same invitation? As guests approach, it’s the street side of your historic brick home that creates the first impression and sets the tone for the rest of the property. Let’s talk about some simple strategies to create superior summer curb appeal for your home.
Does Your Front Yard’s Design Make Sense in Your Neighborhood?
With its timeless elegance, creating high-impact curb appeal for your historic brick home will take just a small amount of effort to make it the envy of the neighborhood. When did you last walk around the block and approach your neighborhood as if it was your first visit? As we become accustomed to our surroundings, we often miss the details, such as overgrown bushes, peeling paint, or burnt-out lights.
When you approach your own house, how does it look? Is it tidy? Is the landscaping cared for, or is it growing a little too wild? Does the brick look well maintained? Of course, you always want your home to stand out for good reasons and not the other way around. Either way, don’t attempt to make your house into a cookie-cutter version of your neighbors’ houses - instead, consider choosing colors, plants, and accessories that blend well with your historic home while still infusing a bit of your own personality.
Freshen Up the Brickwork
Although it seems there are more exciting places to begin, start by inspecting the condition of the bricks and mortar of your historic brick home, the retaining walls, and other elements. First, look for loose or cracked brick, gaps in the mortar, and other defects. Next, call a historic brick expert to properly tuckpoint your mortar joints using the correct traditional mortar mixtures and methods. Remember, no matter how fabulous your landscaping is, crumbling bricks will always be the first thing people notice.
Landscaping Matters
Once you know the bricks are solid, you can focus on landscaping. As the 'well-manicured lawns' of decades past fall out of favor, vibrant flower beds and decorative walkways can make your historic brick home stand out. Open up the space by trimming overgrown perennials and trees to provide a clear view of your home and paths.
Be mindful of the greenery that you choose and their growth habits. Do some research before planting so that you’ll understand what kind of maintenance will be necessary to ensure trees and shrubs won’t obscure the view of your lovely brickwork. It is crucial to ensure that certain plants and trees are far enough away from the house so that they won't damage your foundation. Then, for the maximum wow factor, add some carefully selected annuals that can bloom all summer to add color and vibrancy to your yard!
Refresh Historic Doors, Windows, and Driveways
Your front door can be a focal point of your home's exterior. Consider painting it a bold, contrasting color to make it stand out against the brick. Similarly, ensure your windows are clean and in good repair. Window boxes filled with summer flowers can add a lovely touch of color and charm.
Don't overlook your driveway and walkways. Repair any cracks or damages and keep them clean and clear of debris. Consider edging your driveway or walkways with flowers or lighting for an added touch of sophistication.
Create a Cozy Porch
If your home has a porch, make it welcoming with comfortable outdoor furniture. A porch swing, rocking chairs, or a small bistro set can create a cozy spot that invites people to sit and relax. Add colorful cushions or a bright outdoor rug for a splash of summer color.
Enhancing the curb appeal of your brick home can be a manageable task. By taking it one step at a time and focusing on elements that improve different sections of your front yard, you can create a home exterior that's welcoming, attractive, and reflects your style.
Renaissance Development, experts in traditional tuckpointing methods, specialize in brick repair and restoration projects in Capitol Hill and other historic neighborhoods in Washington, DC. Contact us today for a complimentary home consultation, and take full advantage of our Spring Promotion: Save 10% by accepting and signing your proposal by June 20, 2023.
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