This house has a beautiful interior, but the outside of the home needed some love. So, that's why I spent my time updating it.

Wait until you see the finished, stunning result.

Thanks for reading!

Step 1: Paint Color Palette

When updating your house, it is important to select colors that work well together. A great color palette can really improve the curb appeal for a house. There are several resources available at your local hardware store. However, in this day and age, most people don't have a lot of extra time. So, there is an online resource provided by Sherwin Williams to help in residential paint selection. Here's the link to take you to the "Suburban Traditional Palette By Sherwin Williams": https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/exter...

For the Front Porch Fixer Upper, I selected SW 7669 Summit Gray for the main exterior, SW 7006 Extra White for the trim, and SW 6994 Greenback for the shutters. These were the three recommended colors by Sherwin Williams. It is a great tool that shows you which colors may look best for your style of home.

Step 2: Update This Skinny Porch Posts

Another simple way to update a porch is by encasing porch posts. This turns those flimsy looking posts into bold and beautiful statements of structure. The simple principle behind this technique is just updating the old with new wood and paint. There are kits that you can buy or you can read a tutorial here on how to cut the lumber and which kind to buy: http://jenniferdecorates.com/front-porch-decorati...

On this house, the railings would need to come down, be updated with a fresh coat of paint and then trimmed to fit in with the new encased columns.

Step 3: Out With the Old...

...In with the New front door!

Stained wooden front doors have really taken off in the last few years. The doors look exceptional and really capture attention in a positive way. With light and bright exteriors, wooden doors really make entryways the focal point of the home.

The wooden door for this project comes from Home Depot: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Steves-Sons-36-in-x-80...

The price is right around $1000, but for the beauty and quality it brings, it is well worth the added cost.

Step 4: Shu Shu Shu Shu Shutters!

Again, at Home Depot, there are astounding outdoor shutters made by Builders Edge. They are Raised Panel Vinyl Exterior Shutters Pair, and they are pretty reasonably priced for the sized, type, and quality. Since they come in a pair, they run about $25 a pop. You can even preselect the finished color.

For this project I chose black shutters: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Builders-Edge-15-in-x-...

They are also made in different sizes. So, if your house is like the one here, you probably have different sized windows. This product can accommodate most sizes.

Step 5: DeckOver

The thing about wood is that it wears out. It looses its luster and can easily look run down. Thanks to Behr, you can get that new look back at a fraction of the cost, without actually purchasing new wood. DeckOver is a great product that is tintable (so you can make you deck match your front door).

Here are the specs:

Conceals splinters and cracks up to 1/4 in.
Creates a textured, slip-resistant finish, available in 54 colors
Covers up to 75 sq. ft. in 2 coats
Low VOC, 100% acrylic, waterproofing solid color coating; resists cracking and peeling
Great for concrete pool decks, patios and sidewalks; revives wood and composite decks, railings, porches and boat docks
Durable, mildew resistant finish; easy, spatter resistant application

Purchase this at a Behr supplier or through Home Depot: http://www.homedepot.com/p/BEHR-Premium-Textured-...

Step 6: Let's Shed Some Light on the Subject

Probably the simplest update you can do on your house is with light fixtures. Those tacky brass lamps are begging you to be replaced!

I selected an affordable, sleek, and energy efficient light fixture for the front porch. It is simple to instal and it going to save you money on your electric bill. You can leave it on all night for home protection without feeling like you are wasting money.

Here is the run down on where to buy it! http://www.homedepot.com/p/Hampton-Bay-Black-Outd...

Step 7: Last, But Not Least!

After you spruce up your home, you need to work on the landscaping a little bit. An easy way to add fresh flowers to your home is by making some window boxes. Read about that process here: http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to/a1232...

Pro Tip: Use the same sealer you used on your deck on your window boxes. This will make them last longer, and they will match!

When you are all finished, plant some flowers. My favorite are azalea bushes! They are brightly colored and easy to maintain.

Step 8: Sit Back and Admire!

Sit back and enjoy your "new" home, because you know your neighbors will! The seven simple steps in this Instructable will make you feel like you paid Joanna Gaines thousands of dollars to revamp your house. Instead, you DIYed it, and also increased the value of your home!