(ARA) – Whether or not we want to admit it, we all want our home to look its best and be the envy of the neighborhood. But do you think that keeping up with the Joneses comes with a big price tag? Think again. With a little elbow grease and creativity, your property can be the talk of the town.

Making a good first impression

Your home can’t look great if you can’t see it, so updating outdoor lighting is a great first step to achieving the best-looking house on the block. Chances are your exterior porch lights or street lamp may be rusty or faded. Luckily, you can bring new life to your lighting with a single can of spray paint. New Krylon Dual Paint and Primer is a one-step solution to easily transform any light fixture. The unique formula primes the surface for adhesion, durability and coverage, while delivering a high-quality finish. Best of all, Dual is now available in specialty finishes, such as hammered and metallic, that are perfect for adding an extra dose of style.

Still looking for more illumination? Adding decorative lanterns to walkways or porches is an easy and inexpensive way to add charm and light. You can often find these pieces at yard sales, thrift stores or dollar stores and then simply paint them in a matching hammered or metallic finish for a bright and stylish look.

Quick color

The front door is a focal point of your home – especially with the added lighting you’ve updated – so be sure that your doors and shutters are a vivid shade. If yours have been dulled by years of sun and weather, it’s time to update with paint. For metal doors and shutters, you can use a variety of spray or bucket paints in your favorite hue. However, for plastic shutters, Krylon Fusion for Plastic is the ideal choice since it bonds to plastic without the need for priming or sanding.

A tidy and neat yard

No matter what the size of your front yard, a well manicured lawn is important to boosting your curb appeal. Simple one-weekend tasks like edging, trimming bushes and removing unsightly weeds can make a huge difference without a lot of work or cost. To keep your efforts looking great, spray weed killer to maintain a polished look for the rest of the season. After the initial grooming, add new mulch and flowers in beds or in brightly painted pots for an extra pop of color and style.

Fill in the blanks

The final task to a great looking home that will have your neighbors lusting, is to repair or replace any elements that have deteriorated over time. Walk around the perimeter of your home to check for cracks in bricks or concrete, stains on the driveway or sidewalks, and loose shutters or downspouts. Sprucing up these basics will not only make a big difference to the exterior appearance, but protect your home from damages in the future.

Now, with all the home decorating and hard work complete, your neighbors will be green with envy when looking at your beautiful home and will be trying to keep up with you.

For more information on Krylon products or projects, visit www.krylon.com.