You may be tired with the same look of your home and ready to make some changes to it. A good place to get started is in the front. Below are two ways you can add some zing to give your home more appeal.

Dress Up Your Windows with Awnings

Add some awnings on your windows to waken them up. Awnings not only look nice, but they offer many benefits including:

• Savings on energy: When you add awnings to your windows the indoor temperature is reduced because less sun gets through. This can save you money on your utility bills each month.
• Protection from UV rays: Awnings block the sun's harmful UV rays from getting inside your home. Not only are these rays harmful for you, but they can also cause fading of carpeting and furniture near the window.
• Shelter from the snow and rain: Most awnings are coated so rain and snow just slides off them.  If you put an awning on your door, it diverts snow and ice from piling up in front of it.

There are also different types available for you to choose including:

• Motorized: Motorized awnings are much easier to move back and forth, as you do not have to use a crank but instead touch a button.
• Freestanding: You can move freestanding awnings around wherever you need them.
• Stationary: Stationary awnings are permanently attached to your windows. They are sturdier than other awnings because of this.
• Retractable: Retractable awnings can be rolled up when you do not want to use them, and easily rolled back down when you do.

You will also find different shapes, styles, and sizes. For example, you can find them in different materials, such as metal and canvas. You can also find domed, straight, rounded, and sloped awnings. Ask the awnings dealer to show you what they have available to help you make the best-informed decision on what is best for your home.

Dress Up Your Yard with Flowers

Nothing dresses up a yard as flowers can. Plant them along the front of your home in a variety of colors and heights. Consider a color scheme to use, such as reds, blues, and purples, together, or oranges, yellows, and pinks. Plant some tall flowers in the back and shorter in the front. Some taller perennials you may want to choose include:

• Black eyed Susan
• Cone flower
• Delphinium
• Daylilies
• Hollyhock

Some annuals you may want to consider for the front row include:

• Vinca
• Petunia
• Begonia
• Marigold
• Impatiens

Visit a garden center to look at the flowers. Consider the location you are putting them in. Some flowers need sun all day while others like more shade. The garden center employee can help you find the flowers that will work well for you.

Consider adding some window boxes to the front windows and fill them with flowers that will trail over the sides of them, such as petunias, Bacopa, wandering jew, fuchsia, etc.

Plant some upright flowers in the window boxes as well. Some flowers you may want to choose include:

• English daisy
• Hosta
• Snapdragon
• Pansy
• Begonia
• Astilbe

These are just two ways you can add some zing to your front yard. Consider putting rocking chairs on the front porch, cozy chairs, and lanterns for more appeal.

To learn more, contact a general contractor like AwningsbyBill.com