One of the first things that your guests notice about your home is the outside of your house. If you have cluttered spaces, unsightly hardware or unkempt yards, your home is not making a positive statement. This is also a drawback if you are attempting to sell your home. There are many improvements that can be made around the exterior of your home to ensure it's making a bold statement, while ensuring you are making the most of the space you have been given. To simple clean-up methods to adding entertainment space, these three ways can make your outside style match the interior design of your home.

Clean Up

Nothing can make your home look duller or disorganized than a yard that is covered with unwanted mess. The cheapest way to start is by raking the excess leaves from your yard, not only from the front, but the sides and back as well. You also need to remove leaves from the not-so obvious areas, like the gutters and under bushes and trees. You can instantly give your yard a fresh, green appearance. Next, give your home a wash. Especially after fall and winter, your home can become dirty from all the rain and snow. Some homeowners will opt to leave the heavy work to professionals, but if you are on a tight budget, you can definitely do it by yourself with a long hose and a pressure washer. You can also find some cleaning solution designed for the exterior of your home at your local hardware store. Spray down the entire outside, driveway and sidewalk to remove dirt. Next, take off the screens from the windows and wash the exterior windows, to remove streaks and built up dirt. This will also improve the sunlight inside your home, while boosting the outdoor appearance. Lastly, wash down any trash or recycle cans and put away toys. Find bins and store toys away when not in use, either under your porch or in your garage. Nothing can detract from the look of your home like clutter.

Outdoor Entertainment

One of the bigger improvements that you can make is to transform the outside of your home into an entertainment mecca. From Spring to Fall, you can make the most of your home with a few minor changes. If you are blessed with a deck space, the changes are pretty minor. You can create an outdoor kitchen with a new smoker, grill or fire pit that can quickly become the focal point of your space. Guests will love that it not only produces great food, but can double for warmth on chilly nights. Give your space a new touch with updated outdoor furniture as well. You don't have to spend a lot either. Upgrade old furniture by spray-painting the surfaces with weather-resistant paint or add new outdoor pillows with bold patterns for a touch of color. You can also add color by adding outdoor plants along the deck or patio space, to make the area more in tune with the surrounding nature. If you don't have a deck or patio, consider hiring professionals to level off a space, for a stone tile base that will allow you to create an outdoor entertaining space. It may cost a bit more than other improvements, but it will give you the chance to enjoy your yard, while increasing the value of your home. It is a definite investment.

Improve the Exterior

There are a few ways to update the look of your house. Removing old faded paint and repainting your home is time-consuming, and it does cost a little more money, but it can greatly brighten your home's look. If you are not feeling up to the task, spend the money and hire a professional. It is a bit more costly, but it will ensure it's done properly, while reducing the headache of doing it yourself. While you are updating the paint job, consider changing the color of your house for a dramatic change that everyone will notice. If you find the outside of your home flawed by outdoor storage, you can also create ways to hide the blemishes. For example, if you have an outdoor oil tank or no place to put your garbage cans, it can be unsightly and completely undo all of your hard work. You can make a shield by creating a lattice screen that matches the color of your home. You can build your own or head to your local home improvement store to find a pre-assembled model. They're incredibly simple to install, but it can ensure that the outside of your home is uniform.

About the Author: Thomas M. Bird is an interior designer and contributing author, who hails from the mid-West. He enjoys gardening and spending time with his family.