We all look a bit tired after a while

We all look a bit tired after a while.

Eyelids droop, the colour drains from our faces and we feel like we need a pick-me-up. 

Your home is no different: after a few years without attention, the facade it presents to the world looks worn down and dowdy. It needs a makeover.

But don't panic. 

We're not talking rebuilding it all: Aluminium Composite Panel just a few nips and tucks so that your house can look a million dollars on a pauper's budget. 

So here are seven ways to spruce up your house's exterior while keeping costs down.

House proud: Giving your home a full facelift shouldn't break the bank if you follow our seven tips

1.

Window boxes

Choose your plants carefully and you can have year-round colour springing up under your windows. 

Walk past the shelves of cheap plastic boxes in Wickes and look for Aluminium Composite Panel wooden, stone or decorative ironwork units.

The curvy Anaia wall-mounted Metal planter from La Redoute Interieurs is a discreet little thing that blends into the background to show off the flowers.

Available for £11.20 from laredoute.co.uk.

Or if you want to splash out, the Lichfield Planter Company's red pine window box in Farrow & Ball 'pigeon' paint is £210, from thelichfieldplantercompany.co.uk.