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Affordable ways to spruce up your garage door

Darcey Gohring
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For many homes, garage doors make up a large portion of the façade. Replacing them can be costly. Adding simple and easy design details will give them an updated look and increase your home’s curb appeal. In just one weekend, you can transform your old garage doors from dull and drab to the best on the block. Try these simple tips to give them a new look and enhance your home’s overall appearance.

Freshen up

The first step is to make sure the doors are cleaned. Since they often take up a third of the house façade, this alone can have a dramatic impact. A power washing or scrubbing with soap and water will get rid of any debris.

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A fresh coat of paint will add new life to the doors. Make sure to tell your paint supplier what material the door is made of so they can recommend the best kind of paint. For color, either keep it the same as the rest of your house or, if you are looking for more impact, choose an interesting complementary color to add dimension.

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If your doors are wood, it is a good idea to give them a quick sanding and one coat of exterior primer before painting. The amount of paint will vary — for example, a wood door will take more paint than an aluminum one. An entirely new color will also add to how many coats will be needed. To be on the safe side, a gallon of paint should be sufficient, and the extra can be saved to allow for any touch-ups later.

Paint doors using long, slow strokes, and make sure to let it dry between each one. If your doors have lengthwise panels, it is a good idea to paint one at a time, stopping at the hinges. A roller works best for flat surfaces, but if you have panels, you will want to use a brush. Don’t forget to cover your driveway and garage floor to prevent drips.

Add hardware

garage doors with accents
RonTech3000/Shutterstock

Now that your doors are clean and pristine, it’s time to add some interest. Do you like the barn door look? These days, it is easy to find hardware kits for garage doors. They are inexpensive and can bring doors from simply functional to charming. If you have a metal door, magnetic kits will cost under $30 and are easy to install. Kits for wooden doors are slightly more expensive, but most are around $40.

Installation of the hardware is easy and should take less than an hour. The most time will be spent on measuring and making sure everything lines up perfectly. This is essential, as any inconsistency will be noticeable from a distance.

Add faux windows

Adding real windows to a garage door is costly, and unless your garage is kept exceptionally clean, you may not want clear glass. The solution is faux windows. They will give you added charm and are easy to install. The cheapest options are magnetic and vinyl decals. They come in a range of styles from craftsman to carriage house and prairie to arched, so make sure to find one that fits in with the style of your home. Again, installation is easy, with the most time being spent making sure windows are aligned properly.

Don’t skip the decorative details

three-potted-plants
Ken Schulze/Shutterstock

When it comes to adding plants and attractive planters, the garage is often overlooked. The final step in your makeover is to bring some added texture and charm into the design. This will soften the overall feel and give it a huge dose of curb appeal. In warm weather, hanging plants or planters placed on each side of the garage doors work well. Boston ferns are classic and easy to care for, making them a great choice. Symmetry and balance are the keys, so what you do on one side, you should do on the other. During cooler months, think about decorating the area the same way you do the rest of your exterior, with hay bales, mums, and pumpkins in the fall and decorative lights and greens in the winter. With so much space to work with, the possibilities are endless, and you will be smiling each time you pull into your driveway.

In the meantime, check out our garage door safety tips for keeping everyone and everything safe.

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Darcey Gohring
Darcey Gohring
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Darcey Gohring is a freelance writer based just outside New York City. She served as the managing editor of New Jersey…
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