Turning your house into the home of your dreams can be expensive and time consuming, especially if your goals include changing the way it looks from the outside. If a full exterior remodel is years away, or just not in the cards, here are some easy ways to make your home look expensive.

Deep clean everything

Dirty siding and dirty windows damage your home's curb appeal more than you think. If it's been a few years (or decades) since you've done a thorough exterior deep cleaning, this is the perfect place to start. Renting a pressure washer is a lot cheaper than repainting your house (and it's fun, too). Be sure to visit sidewalks and driveways as well – concrete looks so much better when it's not covered in dirt.

make the right corrections

It may not seem like much, but just taking care of minor repairs will make a big difference in how your home looks from the outside. Cracked walkways with weeds, damaged window and door screens, loose hinges, blown light bulbs, and any number of other little things are quick and cheap to fix. You may also consider repainting your door and window trim to give it a fresher look, especially if it's already peeling or cracking.

Upgrade or replace your outdoor lighting

When it comes to aesthetics, lighting is everything. Changing the intensity and temperature of your outdoor lighting will change the way people see your home. This could be as simple as replacing hard bulbs with softer, warmer ones, or as elaborate as designing an entirely new lighting system from scratch.

Change your front door

Repainting or replacing your front door is one of the easiest ways to change the look of your home without completely remodeling it. If you have a specific look in mind and enjoy a bit of DIY, try stripping and repainting your existing door (or one that's new to you). It's a relatively straightforward project that gives you complete creative control over the finished product. However, you don't have to go the full DIY route if you don't want to; simply changing the doorknob and adding a knocker will change the look of your front door for a fraction of the effort (and cost). Here is a guide on the best and worst colors to paint the front door of your house.

Tidy up your front yard

A well-kept, colorful front yard is sure to make your home look more attractive. And don't worry if professional landscapers aren't in the budget—anyone, anywhere can plant a beautiful garden. Perennials are a great place to start because they keep showing up year after year; Small trees, shrubs, succulents, and ground cover plants like clover or creeping thyme are also great. When in doubt, check your state university's extension program for region-specific planting and gardening tips.