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The mailbox is an integral, and often overlooked part of your home's initial appearance. It's somewhat ironic that we never think about decorating our mailbox when you consider how the address -- generally located on the mailbox -- is the first thing you look for when driving to an unfamiliar place.
Here are five of our favorite ways to decorate mailboxes:
Do It With Decals Vinyl self-stick decals are the newest trend in home decor for their flexibility and variety of choices. Unlike stickers, these decals adhere via static cling and can be used over and over again. With hundreds of selections covering everything from inspirational phrases to your favorite sports team, self-stick decals are one of the most hassle-free ways to try out a fabulous new look.
Pretty It Up With Paint A quick and colorful option for sprucing up the look of your mailbox instantly. Be daring; if you don't like it, you can always paint over it again. Try a few coats of glossy red, a color that goes with nearly any neutral decor and adds instant curb appeal.
Clever Cover-Ups For ease of use and an infinite selection of themes, mailbox covers come in a dazzling array of colors and prints. Varieties include both static-cling and magnetic and can make even the grungiest mailbox come to life in seconds.
Focus on Flowers That tiny two foot area below your freestanding mailbox is just the right size to add a touch of landscaping charm. Consider adding a flowering vine such as Ivy or Clematis which will naturally wind itself around the post for an English countryside look and feel.
Walk on the Wild Side If your tastes run towards the eclectic, you might consider incorporating your mailbox into a much grander design. From John Deere tractors to impossibly long-necked giraffes, if you can conceptualize it then chances are that someone, somewhere has created a mailbox out of it. And if they haven't, with enough imagination -- why not you? Blue Women from Mars, anyone?
All it takes is a little imagination and your mailbox could be the talk of the neighborhood. And don't forget the number one neglected mailbox detail, the post that holds it up. At least once a year, give the post a fresh coat of paint, choosing a color that compliments the exterior trim of your home.
Lisbeth Cheever-Gessaman contributed to Shelterpop.com through Seed.com. Find out how you can contribute at Seed.com