Brian McWeeney
Updateyour front yard, porch, and entryway to welcome visitors with a beautiful first impression.
These curb appeal ideas have the most impact when they function collectively rather than as mix-and-match pieces.
Oiled-bronze finishes suit traditional homes, while brushed nickel suits more contemporary ones.
Credit:Brian McWeeney
Choose boxes made from copper or iron for a traditional look.
Paint the Front Door
Your home’s front entry is the focal point of its curb appeal.
Make a statement bygiving your front door a coat of colorwith paint or by installing a custom wood door.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
Clean off dirty spots around the knob, and use metal polish on the door fixtures.
Symmetrical compositions of light fixtures and front-door accents are curb appeal ideas that createwelcoming entryways.
Two sidelights flank this door.
Credit: Adam Albright
The lantern-style sconces safely guide visitors to the door and coordinate with the door hardware and urns.
Look for seating with skids to help prevent damage to your surfaces.
Add the cozy feel of a living room with rugs, throw pillows, and end tables.
Credit:Brian McWeeney
Install Outdoor Lighting
Low-voltage landscape lighting significantly impacts yourhome’s curb appealwhile also providing safety and security.
Add accent lighting to trees or the house or illuminate a walking path.
For thebest landscape lighting, plan to incorporate a variety of fixtures and lighting types.
Credit: Julie Soefer
If you aren’t able to use lights that require wiring, install solar fixtures.
Solar outdoor lights are budget-friendly and easy to install.
Do a Mailbox Makeover
Mailboxes should complement the home and express the homeowner’s personality.
Credit: David Land
Addnew mulchto restore color faded by sunlight and harsh weather.
If stone or brick borders your bed, consider cleaning and resetting any soiled or dislodged pieces.
you might buy ready-made containers from garden centers or create your own with your favorite plants.
Credit: Hedrich-Blessing
Pots come in a variety of materials, such asterra-cotta, wood, and plastic.
For durability, look for chip-resistant ceramic planters.
A staggered, asymmetrical arrangement works best for most landscapes to create a dynamic setting.
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
Incorporate Personal Touches
Adam Albright
Set your house apart from the rest by adding personal touches.
Finish the look with light fixtures and outdoor furniture that express your personal style, whether coastal or contemporary.
Plant Trees
Plantingsmall ornamental treesis worthwhile if you’re preparing the house for sale soon.
Credit: Laurie Black
Use the color wheel to find a complementary color for your home.
Here,tangerine orangeperfectly contrasts the dark blue-gray siding.
Updating your porch with colorful outdoor furniture is an easy way to boost curb appeal on a budget.
Credit: Aaron Menken, Hatch & Maas Collective
Coordinate Hardware
Address numbers, mailboxes, locksets, and porch lights are simple curb appeal upgrades.
Although these elements are small, they add a lot of polish to your home’s look.
Power Wash Exterior Surfaces
John Stoffer
Take a weekend to freshen up your home’s exterior.
Credit:Adam Albright
Cleaning the siding is an easy way to boost curb appeal on a budget.
Install a full-view storm door design to allow thefront door colorto shine through.
This living monogram planter was created using spray-painted cedar boards and chicken wire.
Credit: Werner Straube
The interior is filled with peat moss and a variety of succulents.
Here, a pair of rocking chairs, sconces, and raised garden beds create a clean look.
Additional planters and decorative pillows add pops of color and texture to the house’s polished porch and landscaping.
Credit: Kim Cornelison
Add a few well-chosen and nicely arranged plants on the front porch to create an inviting focal point.
Molding is an architectural detail that adds definition when applied to the sides and top of the doorway.
Notice how the white door casing makes this door stand out.
Credit: Cameron Sadeghpour
Whencreating a new garden, choose features that frame your home rather than obscure it.
Opt for stone or precast concrete blocks toedge the bed.
Include a mix of plant size, color, and texture for optimal results.
Credit:John Stoffer
Exterior shutters can be made of wood, aluminum, vinyl, composite, or fiberglass.
New composite materials, such as PVC resins or polyurethane, make trim details durable and low maintenance.
Peeling paint, rust spots, drooping, and other problems indicate repair or updating is needed.
Credit: Kim Cornelison
Replace old gutters and downspouts with a new gutter system.
However, they become brittle and crack over time in cold weather.
Copper systems, while pricier, convey an unmistakable look of quality and pretty curb appeal.
Credit: Kim Cornelison
For the best results, we recommend hiring a professional to install gutters.
These simple additions can become a backdrop for a bounty of blooms.
They’re available in easy-to-build kits or prefab sections that you simply connect.
Credit: Cameron Sadeghpour
For best results, paint or stain these items with colors already on your house.
Add Outdoor Art
Give your yard a little whimsy and curb appeal by addingweather-resistant artwork.
Choose pieces that complement your home’s natural palette and exterior elements.
Credit:Nathan Schroder
Birdbaths, metal cutouts, sculptures, and wind chimes are good choices for outdoor decor.
Use bold, bright hues to create a big impact, even withlimited space.
Greet guests with a colorful garden in your parking strip (between the street and sidewalk).
Credit: Robert Brinson
For an easystreet-side garden plan, feature native plants such asAster,Baptisia, andpurple coneflower.
Beautify the Driveway
Line your driveway with lush greenery for a curb-appeal-boosting effect.
To make this curb appeal idea even more budget-friendly,build a DIY trellis.
Credit: Laurie Black
Then train aflowering vineup it for a gorgeous living wall treatment.
Upgrade Railings
Porch and stoop railings can deteriorate quickly if not properly cared for.
Once weaknesses are repaired, look for ways toadd personality with color, trim, or shingles.
Credit: Richard Leo Johnson
Tile Your Doorstep
Create a permanent welcome mat byupgrading your front steps.
For a dramatic improvement to a straight concrete path, replace it with a contouredwalkway made of stoneor brick.
Apply Stone Veneer
Nothing carries pedigree andpermanence like stone.
Credit: Greg Scheidemann
A faux stone patio is a long-lasting curb appeal idea for your home.
Boost Basic Concrete
Refresh a plain concrete walkway to boost your exterior’s character.
Install brick edging or apply a colorful concrete stain to the surface for a playful touch.
Credit: Edward Gohlich
upgrade your Garage Door
An attractive garage door is an essential part of curb appeal.
To save on landscaping costs,build a retaining wallyourself.
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