10 Easy Ways to Fake an Outdoor Reno This Spring, According to Contractors

Whether prepping your home for sale or freshening it up for yourself, there are plenty of simple, inexpensive ways to transform its exterior. 

We spoke with contractors and real estate experts to help you learn how to fake an outdoor reno in spring.

Improve Landscaping

Mitch Coluzzi, a contractor and executive with SoldFast, suggests beginning with your landscaping.

“When boosting curb appeal on a budget, the first thing to handle is landscaping,” Coluzzi says.

You don’t need to do everything, though. Concentrate on bushes and garden beds.

• Trim bushes: “Be sure all bushes are trimmed and maintained,” says Joe Raboine, a VP of Design at OldCastle APG. “Also, be sure to remove any leaf debris or dead branches in the bushes or on the ground.”
• Edge garden beds: Use a hand edger or shovel to create straight lines or smooth curves on landscape beds.

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Disguise Garbage Cans

Build an inexpensive garbage can enclosure to hide unsightly garbage, recycling, or compost bins. Building a privacy screen from one-by-four boards or wood pallet boards is simple and inexpensive. 

Failing that, simply hide the garbage cans on the side or back of the house or in the garage, Coluzzi says.

Patch Bare Lawn

Bald spots on the lawn make the house look old and neglected.

“Touch up any spotty areas in the lawn with seed, straw, or sod,” Raboine says. Be sure to patch the lawn with the same type of grass seed.

Paint the Front

Paint works wonders for faking an outdoor reno in spring. You don’t need to paint the entire house. Instead, focus on key elements of the front:

• Front door: “A fresh coat of paint on the front door makes an instant impact,” advises Ramin Bassam. “Choose a bold color to create a welcoming focal point.”
• Trim and shutters: Bassam adds that painting exterior window trim and shutters in a crisp, complementary color enhances the home’s overall appearance.
• Mailbox and curb: “A fresh coat of paint on a mailbox and new curb lettering or numbers will go a long way towards faking an exterior remodel,” says Mitch Coluzzi.
• Front side: Paint the entire front side of the house if it’s in poor shape. Just make sure to use the same color.

Upgrade Lighting

Swap old outdoor lighting fixtures for modern, stylish ones to give the home a contemporary feel, says contractor Ramin Bassam. 

“Solar pathway lights or string lights can create a warm, inviting atmosphere without increasing electricity bills.”

If budget is an issue, Coluzzi says, you can even place inexpensive solar yard lights around the yard or hang exterior string lightning on the eaves.

Add Decorative Mulch

Adding or freshening up decorative mulch is the classic way to prepare a house for sale. And there’s a good reason why—it works.

Bassam says adding a fresh layer of mulch instantly tidies garden beds and makes plants pop.

Make sure you use the correct type of mulch. Shredded or chipped wood bark is organic and eventually blends in with the soil. Or use an inorganic or synthetic mulch like rocks, pebbles, or recycled rubber.

Remove Damaged Elements

Broken or damaged elements like gutters, fascia, soffit, drainpipes, and other non-structural elements ideally should be repaired or replaced. But if time or money are tight, Coluzzi suggests removing the item.

“If something is broken, like a gutter, soffit, or fascia, you’re better off removing it than leaving it broken,” he says. Even a missing element will look better than a damaged one if you’re pressed for time.

Add an Outdoor Rug

Laying down an outdoor rug is the easiest way to disguise a cracked concrete front. Made from durable, waterproof materials like polypropylene, outdoor rugs add instant color and style.

Install a Surface Deck

Along with outdoor rugs, another way to cover poor concrete or wood decking is with surface-level decking, Raboine says.

Unlike a floating deck, which is from a few inches to 30 inches high, surface-level decking rests directly on the ground—much like tiles.

Add Container Plants

Potted container plants and flowers near the entryway provide color and charm without the maintenance of a full garden overhaul, Bassam says. 

The best container plants for the front of your home are large enough for visual impact but not so big that they overwhelm the house.