Summer always goes too quickly. With Labor Day just a few weeks away, here are five easy ways to get the exterior of your home party-ready, while adding value.

Whether you’re planning a rib fest with the neighbors or a potluck with your family, Labor Day is a great reason to complete outdoor projects that spruce up and add value to your home before a big get-together. Then, as the holiday weekend approaches, you can relax and focus on the food, music, décor, games, and other fun things.

1. Power wash your house. Rent or buy a power washer and give your siding a thorough cleaning. Pay special attention to the eaves, overhangs, and the corners of entryways and porches. Unless the exterior of your house is extremely dirty, use plain water, which will benefit your shrubs, grass, and flowers. Bats often roost behind shutters, so take the shutters down, clean thoroughly, and wash the siding. To prevent bats from returning, add a layer of copper mesh and mothballs between the shutters and the siding.
2. Wash and repair windows and screens. Wash your windows and glass doors with a cost-effective, chemical-free mixture of two tablespoons white vinegar and a gallon of water. Use newspapers instead of paper towels for a streak-free shine. Use a broom to clean your screens and rinse with water. If you have any broken windows or screens with holes in them, take them to the hardware store right away as it can take several weeks to have glass and screens replaced.
3. Re-stain your deck and porch. Wash the wood and let it dry. Sand the wood lightly and apply several coats of all-weather stain in a modern light gray, dark charcoal, or other color. For added flair, give your porch ceiling a fresh coat of paint in glossy white, light gray, or sky blue. Clean the light fixtures and replace any burned-out bulbs with long-lasting, energy-efficient light bulbs.
4. Style your seating areas. Hose off your outdoor furniture to remove cobwebs and dust and clean the cushions. Rearrange the furniture to create conversation areas, add side tables for food and drinks, and a colorful outdoor rug. If you have a fire pit, stock it with plenty of kindling, newspapers, and logs. If you’re planning to barbecue, make sure to give your grill a thorough cleaning.
5. Add a pop of autumn color. Give your flowerbeds and outdoor pots a dramatic new look for fall with colorful autumn flowering plants. Look for flowering kale in white, purple, and green, and dahlias and chrysanthemums in sunny yellow, deep pink, dark orange, and rich burgundy. When Labor Day weekend arrives, welcome your guests with a vase of fresh sunflowers in the center of your patio table.