Spring Curb Appeal Tips for Portland Homes

Spring has sprung, so it’s time to head outside and see how your house has fared this winter. While you’re doing necessary spring home maintenance, it’s a great time to work on your home’s curb appeal. Every home can benefit from some outdoor updates, so here are our favorite tips to improve your Piedmont or Kenton home’s curb appeal this spring.

Creating an ecosystem in your yard is smart for several reasons. An ecosystem that suits local conditions attracts beneficial birds, insects, and wildlife and will also thrive under the Portland climate’s natural conditions with fewer pesticides.

Portland’s most recognizable ecosystem is filled with conifers, so we recommend including columbine, hellebore, Douglas firs, azaleas, and sword ferns to add a natural look to your outdoor space.

If you want to make more extensive changes to your yard, check out Oregon’s Backyard Habitat Certification Program. This groundbreaking program helps residents create healthier cities for humans and the surrounding wildlife. Once you apply, a tech will assess your yard and identify invasive weeds, listen to your goals for your yard, and make recommendations. Then, you’ll receive a report full of plant recommendations and steps to take to receive a certification.

Here’s a very helpful tutorial for making sure you plant your flowers correctly and that they look great when you’re done.

You can also install flower boxes on the exterior of your home and fill them with your favorite plants. This tutorial shows you how to make and install them, but you can also buy them pre-made.

Do you know what makes a home look dated? Overgrown shrubs and trees, especially if they have been there since the house was built. Those old juniper bushes aren’t doing your home any favors.

Here are some tips for trimming trees and shrubs.

If you need some new trees or shrubs, don’t miss our blog post about the best Portland varieties for your yard.

Many neighborhoods, such as University or Portsmouth, have many lovely old homes. But weathered doors can make a home look shabby and outdated. A home’s front door has a big impact on whether or not the home feels inviting.

Bring a bold color (blue, yellow, red) to your front door. If you have a wood door, try a rich stain. You’ll be surprised to find that your home has a whole new look!

You can also replace a threshold or repair sagging screens. If your door needs more character, add molding and trim.

Portland’s homes typically have a lot of character, especially the older ones found in areas like St. Johns and Overlook. All that architectural detail is just begging to be played up with paint. Don’t be afraid to paint columns, door details, and porch ceilings to contrast with the home’s color. You can also tackle your trim and shutters.

Here’s a good place to start researching exterior home color combinations.

Rotten wood looks terrible and can quickly spiral out of control. Fixing problems while they’re small can save you from dealing with a major problem down the road.

Wet rot is pretty easy to spot. Dry rot is a much bigger problem and can be harder to identify. It can be fed by moisture in the air, so the wood doesn’t necessarily have to be wet. It also starts small and quickly gets out of control. Here are the symptoms of dry rot you should watch for:

• Mycelium growth: a white or gray cotton-like substance on the surface of the wood
• Wood affected by dry rot has had its moisture removed and seems dried out. It shrinks somewhat as a result and is often brittle and warped
• Wood surfaces are covered in something resembling a mushroom or mold
• Wood has a damp, fungal smell

Solar path lights add a touch of elegance to any outdoor space—they look classy and expensive, yet they’re super practical, too. Not only do they beautifully illuminate your walkways and garden at night, but they also create a warm, inviting ambiance without driving up your energy bill. And the best part? They’re powered by the sun! If you’re thinking about adding a bit of sparkle to your property, check out these for some inspiration.