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4 More Summer Projects for Your Home

4 More Projects for Your Home

Do you want to upgrade the look of your home without spending a lot of money doing it? We’ve got you covered with 4 more easy home projects! Elevating the appearance of your home without breaking your bank can seem like a difficult task, but there are a lot of small touches that you can add (or subtract) that will keep your property looking modern, well-kept, and beautiful. Not only will they add to the overall look of your home, but these projects can make your property more accessible as well.

1. PRESSURE WASH YOUR HOME OR PATIO

DIFFICULTY: BEGINNER

TOOLS: PRESSURE WASHER, SCRUB BRUSH

SUPPLIES: CLEANING SOLUTION

You can take years off the appearance of your home – literally – with a pressure wash this summer. Pressure washers use a high-pressure water spray to remove mildew, mold, dirt, and grime from your home’s exterior. Over the years, these naturally occurring deposits build up on the side of your house, on top of your sidewalks, and in the hard-to-reach places around your home that don’t usually get your attention. 

If you’ve handled a pressure washer before, then this will be a relatively easy project to complete if you’re prepared with the proper tools and the right guidance. To start, you’ll need a pressure washer and a mildewcide-detergent solution. You can purchase or rent one from home improvement stores, or you can entirely outsource the job to a professional service.

However, if you have no experience with a pressure washer, be sure to try out this cleaning method on concrete first so that you get used to the recoil and power of your washer. The detergent, available for purchase at lawn and garden stores, acts as the cleaning ingredient and should be mixed with water and a little bit of bleach. Professionals suggest that you wash “up” your house, meaning that after you spray your wall with solution, start at the bottom of your wall and use a scrub brush to scrub up and break apart any stuck-on mildew. 

Keep these safety tips in mind while doing this project:

  1. Don’t wash while standing on a ladder. The washer recoil could send you flying backward.
  2. Close or cover any outdoor plug outlet with duct tape. Water and electricity don’t mix.
  3. Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from water or projectiles.
  4. Do not spray anyone or anything that you don’t want to be damaged with the pressure washer. The high-powered water can cut through skin and should only be used to take off stuck-on grime.

2. CREATE A STONE WALKWAY OR GARDEN PATH

DIFFICULTY: BEGINNER-INTERMEDIATE

TOOLS: SPADE, SHOVEL, TAMPER, LEVEL

SUPPLIES: FLAGSTONE; GRAVEL, SAND, OR CONCRETE; PLANTS (OPTIONAL)

Add a rustic feel to your backyard or garden by making your own stone walkway. Not only does it add a natural element to your landscape, but by using stones, you can create a beautiful path through your property.

For this project, flagstone – a generic term for large, flat stones – is a great choice because the pieces are easy to walk on and colorful. It’s a very popular material among contracting professionals in the construction of walkways, patios, and floors, and you can make one yourself if you’re up to the task.

The Spruce Garden is an online resource that provides expert home and garden advice for anyone with a skill level from DIY-er to professional. They created the plans for an easy and relatively inexpensive stone walkway that you can design in less than a day.

But – no matter if you freehand it or find your own method keep these tips in mind before you go to work:

  • When shopping for flagstone, choose thicker stones over thinner stones. They will be harder to transport, so make sure you and your body are prepared for the heavy lifting, but thicker stones are stronger and will last longer
  • Make sure to plan your path before you begin excavation and ensure that you have all of the tools and enough materials to complete the project
  • Use a layer of landscape fabric underneath your pathway to prevent weeds from growing up in between your flagstone
  • You can fill the gaps between the stones with sand, gravel, or concrete. If you’re looking for something more colorful and creative, consider adding marbles among the filling (they’ll shine in the sunlight!) or use concrete and tiny pieces of broken tile to create a mosaic
  • Add perennial plants along the outside of the path so that you have a beautifully lined path year after year

3. ADD FUNCTION SEATING AROUND YOUR BACKYARD

DIFFICULTY: BEGINNER

SUPPLIES: SEATING

No matter what size your backyard or budget is, you can turn it into the place to spend time this summer by adding a seating area.

If you have the space for a full outdoor dining table and chairs, your backyard or deck will be a great gathering place for parties, dinners, and get-togethers. You could also add comfy outdoor recliners or rustic seating additions like repurposed tree stumps or a classic iron wrought table and chair set to make sure everyone gets a seat.

If you’re planning on spending a lot of time in your garden this summer, add a spot for you and your planting partners to rest.

You can add a bench or moveable chairs to not only decorate the area but also to make it a calming place to relax. This is a great project for families with older relatives; they can sit outside with you while you work. It could also be a great addition for families with young children, but odds are that they’ll be playing in the yard instead. You can add exterior lighting to highlight different portions of your home’s unique architecture and increase the security of your home.

You can add shade to a very sunny area by purchasing lawn umbrellas or a pergola with a shade.

4. SPRUCE UP YOUR ENTRYWAY

DIFFICULTY: BEGINNER

SUPPLIES: DECOR, SEATING, PLANTS

Showcase your home’s personality with a front porch makeover. The front of your house is the first thing guests, delivery drivers, or motorists see as they come to or pass your property. Wow them all with a decorated entryway!

The severity of the renovation is up to you, but it’s impressive how much of a difference small touches can make to the appearance of your home. If you have a front porch, add furniture with comfortable cushions so that you can sit outside during the summer. Whatever seasonal décor you choose to display is up to you, but annual flowers planted in pots or in hanging baskets is a great way to add color and dimension to your porch.  Greenery and wreaths also add a beautiful organic touch to your entryway, and you don’t need a covered porch for these additions to pop. 

Other small changes that can make a big difference are the addition of a new doormat, new house numbers, or a bold painted front door. 


Make your home the ultimate summertime getaway by giving it a little tender, love, and care this year. By executing a few of these easy projects, you can upgrade the appearance of your home, add your personality to its exterior, and have fun while doing it. Find out more projects to take on by reading our ‘5 Projects for the Summer’ blog post, and be prepared for all of your lawn and garden projects by checking out our full selection of high-quality, affordable hand tools on our website.