Outdoor changes that can make a big difference to your home

With the weather taking its toll on paintwork, the easiest way to freshen it up is to re-paint, and maybe try a different colour, using a high-quality masonry paint. And while you can rarely be as adventurous with the colours you use on the outside of your home as the inside, you don’t necessarily have to stick to whit or cream. However, you do need to consider what will go with your neighbours’ houses, if there are any restrictions, and what suits the style and period of the building.

Having the exterior of your home rendered can also really smarten it up, even if it’s just the front. Coloured renders are available, so if you find a colour you like, you won’t need to paint the render, saving time, effort and money. With modern-looking properties, wooden cladding can work well.

Another good way to improve the front of your home, especially if it’s plain and lacking character, is to add a porch. The porch should, of course, be in keeping with the style of the building and needn’t be elaborate - a small roof and something to hold up the roof may suffice. Changing the windows and front door, or replacing an unsightly porch, can also make a big difference to the look of your home. If it’s a period property with ugly modern windows, for example, fitting period-style windows will transform the exterior, and interior, and probably make it warmer and quieter too.

Before you start changing the exterior, always check if there are any restrictions on what you can and can’t do. Listed buildings usually can’t be altered without obtaining listed building consent from the local council. If you live on ‘designated land,’ which includes conservation areas, you may not be able to do what you want with your home’s exterior, or you may need planning permission, especially if your home’s permitted development rights have been removed.

Like anything else, it’s always best to your research before starting to spend any money.