{"id":4071,"date":"2021-05-22T03:46:34","date_gmt":"2021-05-22T07:46:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robynsfrenchnest.com\/?p=4071"},"modified":"2021-07-19T21:51:14","modified_gmt":"2021-07-20T01:51:14","slug":"budget-friendly-curb-appeal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/robynsfrenchnest.com\/diy\/budget-friendly-curb-appeal\/","title":{"rendered":"Beautiful Driveway DIY for Affordable Curb Appeal"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_post_title comments=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_font_size=”52px” meta_font_size=”22px”][\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Intro” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px”]<\/p>\n

Our driveway was a long ribbon of ugliness–until we changed all that! We are loving this budget friendly driveway DIY with lots of curb appeal!<\/em><\/p>\n

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I\u2019ve never tried to pretend like this blog is the ultimate resource for DIY and I won\u2019t start now!\u00a0 But\u2026I do have a fun DIY that we just completed<\/strong> and I want to share because while it may not be the very most exciting kind of DIY, it has made an INCREDIBLE difference in our curb appeal.<\/p>\n

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While there are many things that Robb or I could figure out and do, we tend to hire out the big jobs because, quite honestly, we just don\u2019t have time!<\/strong>\u00a0 We both work full time and we really try to carve out time on our weekends for relaxation, rest, and most of all, time with our kids.\u00a0 (Ouch, we\u2019ve got to do better about this; it\u2019s been extra busy lately!). So when we can, we hire out the jobs we don\u2019t have time for or that we know are going to be frustrating to complete with our schedules.<\/p>\n

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I\u2019ve talked about this on my Instagram before, but I think it is important to set realistic expectations for DIY.\u00a0 You\u2019ll find ALL KINDS of people doing ALL KINDS of DIY projects.\u00a0 I admit, I\u2019ve fallen guilty to comparing myself before<\/strong>, thinking \u201cwe should be able to do this or that too\u201d.\u00a0 The bottom line is that yes, you very well may be able to do any number of DIY projects.\u00a0 They can be challenging, rewarding, fun, and even an exciting learning process.<\/p>\n

It is also completely okay to recognize that any number of DIY jobs may fall out of the scope of a realistic expectation, depending on your skills, schedule, and even well-being!<\/p>\n

All of that being said, Robb decided to tackle this driveway DIY project himself.\u00a0 I stayed far away and tried to cheer from the sidelines!!!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Our Project<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Operation Driveway DIY<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n

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We have the longest and ugliest driveway in our neighborhood, no doubt.<\/strong>\u00a0 And ugly as it is, it was a huge selling point for us!\u00a0 I love that there is plenty of space for the kids to ride bikes, roller skate, play basketball, set up corn hole or ping pong, and so many other activities.\u00a0 I also absolutely love that our home sets back just a bit.\u00a0 While that is common for my northern friends, it is harder to come by in South Florida.<\/p>\n

\u200b<\/h3>\n

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So we had a fun driveway\u2026but it was still ugly.<\/p>\n

Sooooo many cracks and discolorations<\/strong> really made it an eyesore, but I didn\u2019t even realize how bad it was\u2026until it started getting good!<\/p>\n

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Driveway DIY: Painting versus Resurfacing<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

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The optimal solution would have been to bring in professionals to completely resurface our driveway.\u00a0 Some quick research told us that it was going to be WAY out of the budget,<\/strong> especially for something that is purely aesthetic.<\/p>\n

At some point, way down the road, we may still save up and have the driveway resurfaced.\u00a0 I can imagine concrete stamping with a pretty brick lay or stone pattern\u2026but over 100 feet of driveway and our budget don\u2019t match<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Realistic expectations, remember?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In a casual conversation with a family member in the concrete business, it was suggested that we \u201cjust paint it.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Driveway DIY: Prepping the Driveway<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Step One: Powerwash<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

We spent about $150 to have a local guy power wash our driveway.\u00a0 Since we do not own a power washer, this was a cost-efficient and time-efficient solution.\u00a0 Our driveway is also quite large and very long, so you likely would not have quite as much expense!<\/p>\n

TIP:\u00a0 Spray weed killer a few days prior to pressure washing.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Before & AFTER!!<\/u><\/b><\/h3>\n

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