The next time you're standing outside of your house, thinking about exterior home design ideas, keep in mind some key points in dreaming or thinking about what you should do first. And remember, just because the idea popped into your head doesn't mean it's a good one. As cool as you might think it would be to have the only house on your street with a lawn jockey, remember that there's a reason why none of your neighbors has one. Some thoughts are best left in your head.

They key point to remember that there are really two fundamental project types to consider when approaching exterior home design. First there are the necessary projects to consider. These are the projects that need to be undertaken as a result of necessary repair work that needs to be done, or regular home maintenance. These should be your priority when deciding what projects to undertake first. The other project type includes those of a more decorative and aesthetic nature. These are the projects you'd love to undertake if you just had the time and the money at your disposal. Your house isn't going to fall apart without them, but it sure would look prettier. At least that's what you're telling yourself.

Just because a project is repair or maintenance based in origin, doesn't mean that it can't also provide you an opportunity to spice things up. Window sills are a perfect example. Window sills serve a very functional purpose. They help to keep warm air in and cold air and water out when they're installed correctly. They're not just for keeping your plants on. They will definitely need to be serviced from time to time. It is easy to neglect them and before you know it years have gone by and your window sills have eroded due to neglect. So take a good look at the window sills around your house. Do they need some repair and maintenance? If so, give them the necessary attention they need to help maintain the efficiency of your home. While you're at it, give them a fresh coat of paint. It's an easy way to spice up the trim on your home. Pick a color that matches the main color of your house, and you've added a new accent to your home and will have your neighbors heads' turning.

An often overlooked part of your home is your lawn. Yes, that green stuff that grows around the outside of the house. Most tend to focus on the actual physical house itself when considering exterior design. Your lawn, however, is an important part of the overall appeal of your home. Real estate agents often refer to "curb appeal", which basically refers to how attractive your home might look from the curb. It's the first thing that anyone sees when they approach your home, so sprucing it up some only makes sense.

A complete overhaul isn't necessary to change up the landscaping of your home either. You can start small, and add to the project as times goes on. Color, for instance, is always a nice addition to any home. Color can be easily incorporated into your landscape with the addition of some flowers strategically placed around the house. Maybe consider a border around the portion of sidewalk leading up to the home. That's always a nice aesthetic to have. These are just a couple of ideas, and there are tons just like it that you can implement that won't necessarily break the bank, but that will significantly add to that curb appeal we mentioned earlier. Even adding to your windows can improve the look of your home.

Just remember to keep your priorities in mind. Repairs and maintenance should be first and foremost on your list of things to do, and time and budget permitting, tackle some of those more creative projects.