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Make your house shine

5 easy ways to have your home looking its best this Christmas. - by Greg Fahey
  • 19 Dec 2018
Make your house shine
Getty

Summer is the season for entertaining but before your guests arrive, why not take the time to give your home a quick lift?

Here’s 5 easy ways to have your home in tip top shape.

1. Paint your front door

As the focal point of the façade of your home, painting the front door is a manageable project that has maximum impact. If you’re happy with the colour, a quick coat with the same paint will freshen it up or you could really make it a beacon by going for a bold colour that completely contrasts with your home’s colour scheme.

2. Clean your path

Another way to create a great first impression is to give your path and driveway a good clean. Pull out the pressure washer and give your front path and driveway a blast. You’ll be amazed at how much dirt comes off them and the difference it’ll make to your home.   

People having lunch in the backyard
Getty

3. Refresh your deck

A prime place where most of your entertaining happens, a deck that’s exposed to the elements will quickly start to look tired. The good news is that with the range of water-based decking stains, which dry quickly, you can refresh your deck in a single day. Start by using a deck cleaning product to wash it down early in the morning then let it dry and give it two coats of stain in the afternoon. 

4. Green your lawn

Have your lawn looking it’s absolute best by using a lawn greening liquid fertiliser. These convenient products come in a hose on applicator and are rich in nitrogen, which is the element needed to green your lawn. Apply about a week before your guests arrive to give it time to do its magic. You should start to see the fruits of your labour in just a few days. 

Lawn mower on grass
Getty

5. Install garden lighting

Make your garden a living display for your next night time soiree using garden lighting. It’s a great DIY project because all the cabling is 12 volt running from a transformer plugged into a power point. Major garden features such as trees and shrubs look best when highlighted by a single spotlight rather than completely floodlit. Fairy lights strung over your entertaining area creates mood with soft light that isn’t overpowering.

You might also like:

Cleaning hacks to add to your bag of tricks

Garden lighting ideas

How to paint your front door

  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Deck Ideas
  • Backyard Ideas
  • Front Garden Ideas
  • Patio Ideas
  • Paving Ideas
  • Painting Ideas
  • Cleaning
  • Christmas Decorating, Tips & Traditions
Greg Fahey
Greg Fahey
Greg Fahey is a carpenter and licensed builder with over 30 years experience. Combine this with having owned a number of old homes in need of TLC, there aren’t a lot of DIY jobs that he hasn’t tried. When he’s not sharing his knowledge to a wide audience via BHG, he can be found at home with a tool in hand, taking on yet another DIY task.

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