11 easy ways to boost your home’s curb appeal

Whether you’re looking to boost your home’s value for potential homebuyers or simply impress the in-laws and neighbors, making your property look good from the outside—also known as “curb appeal”—is an important aspect of homeownership, and one of the most popular home improvement projects. In fact, an attractive exterior can raise your home’s sale price by 7% or more, according to a study by the University of Texas at Arlington.

Luckily, there are outdoor updates you can do yourself, with a little elbow grease. They’ll enhance your home’s appearance and make a great first impression on buyers, guests—even the neighborhood. Read on for 11 easy home improvements that’ll spruce up your residence.

The entryway is the first thing people see when visiting your home. Greet them with a freshly painted door that complements your house and adds instant curb appeal. Choose a paint color that blends with your home’s existing color and textures, or opt for a bold red or blue to stand out from the crowd. You don’t need any special skills to add a coat of paint or a stain finish to a front door, so this is an ideal weekend DIY project. 

Learn more: How to paint an exterior front door.

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No matter what type of fencing you have—metal, vinyl, or wood—maintaining an attractive and functional fence is one of the biggest measures you can take to increase your home’s curb appeal.

If your fence and gate are in good structural shape but suffering from peeling or cracked paint, they may just need a simple repainting. However, if parts of your fence are falling down or if your gate is broken, it’s time to replace all or part of the fence. While fences are ultimately about functionality—containing pets and kids in your yard, keeping out wildlife, and deterring burglary by reducing points of entry—they should still be visually appealing to add beauty to your home’s exterior. 

Learn more: Cost of fence repair.

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Create a cheery front-entry area that welcomes guests. Clear out seasonally inappropriate décor, as well as anything that’s faded, tattered, or broken. Wash windows, light fixtures, and trim—and keep them clean. Add a new welcome mat and a door wreath for an inviting look. Remove personal clutter from the porch, and ensure that outdoor furniture is visually appealing from the street.

Choose flowers that complement the color of your house. Pick up a color wheel at an art-supply store to help you find hues that either match or contrast your home’s palette. Try a mix of fragrant flowering plants—such as hydrangea bushes, sweet peas, and rose bushes—to attract pollinators and create an instant homey feel. 

Changing out the mulch in your flower beds can also dramatically upgrade your home’s outdoor appearance. Cedar mulch, specifically, is pleasantly aromatic and lasts longer than regular mulch. For a fully integrated look, lay down pavers where the mulch meets the yard. These blocks add aesthetics and reduce maintenance; choose from such materials as stone, brick, clay, or concrete. Pavers also keep mulch in place throughout changing weather. 

Learn more: How to make a raised-bed garden.

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Does your lawn need some TLC? Bare spots, weeds, and thinning areas can make a poor first impression with guests. Snap a few digital photos to see your yard as a whole and identify problem areas. Spot-treat weeds, and plant new grass where needed. Fertilize the lawn to keep it growing consistently. 

Learn more: Expert tips for growing a lush lawn.

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For a postcard-perfect look, trim back shrubs and trees to make the front door, front porch, and windows visible. Start by removing lower branches from trees on your property—this is also called “limbing up” or “crown raising.” Pruning and trimming branches gives your yard more structure and form. Then, give the bushes a haircut. Use handheld hedge clippers to trim unwanted outliers and a hedge trimmer to shape bushes, taking care to follow safety instructions. Finish up by outlining the border of your lawn with an edge trimmer or lawn edger. It’ll give your yard a refined, cared-for look and feel. 

Learn more: Expert tree trimming and removal.

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A simple way to boost your home’s curb appeal is to get rid of unnecessary stuff. Look at the exterior as if you’re viewing it for the first time. Move bicycles, toys, garbage bins, and yard tools to the garage for an instant improvement. Then clear away any plant overgrowth. Gather up fallen leaves, strewn branches, or pine cones. 

Learn more: When to hire a junk removal service.

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Your mailbox isn’t just functional–it’s a noticeable home design element. If you have a curbside mailbox, make sure it’s in good shape. Paint, sand, or stain the post and box itself. Or replace it entirely with a stylish new mailbox, which can range in price from about $80 to $500 (for a very fancy box with post included). For help installing it, hire a handyperson with knowledge of US Postal Service height requirements.

To complete your mailbox upgrade, consider planting low-mounding plants or flowers at the post base, or surround it with decorative rock.  

Learn more: Cost of mailbox lock services.

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A well maintained and beautiful walkway makes it easy to enter and exit your property. Pathways can be created from poured concrete or assembled from separate pavers— the choice comes down to your aesthetic preference, maintenance required, and cost—as pavers are pricier than poured concrete. If you have an existing pathway that needs maintenance, repairing it might be more cost-effective than replacing it. 

Learn more: Cost of concrete paving. 

To breathe new life into a walkway that’s in good shape, rent a pressure washer to power-wash years’ worth of dirt and grime. This can brighten and freshen the entire exterior, and show visitors that your home is well maintained. 

Learn more: Cost of power washing.

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The garage door accounts for as much as 30% of the front of a typical house—so a little sprucing goes a long way toward adding curb appeal. Start by cleaning with a regular hose (a power washer can chip the paint), along with a bucket of water and nonabrasive cleanser. For an even bigger makeover, repaint—either with traditional white or a color that complements your home.

For more wow factor, add magnetic garage-door hardware designed to look like real metal. Create an upscale carriage-style garage door with magnetic handles and hinges, or a rustic barn style with magnetic nailheads. 

Learn more: Cost of garage door installation.

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You’ll probably need a pro to undertake a big landscape-lighting project, but there are easy DIY upgrades to highlight your home at night. If your front yard gets a decent amount of sun during the day, consider solar-powered exterior lights. They’re bright, durable, and simple to install along gardens, driveway, and front path. Adding outdoor lighting not only increases the nighttime ambiance of your home’s exterior, it also boosts safety by reducing shadowy tripping hazards and deterring theft. 

You could also try low-voltage landscape lighting kits—often sold for as little as $80—they contain everything a homeowner needs to do the project themselves. For a dramatic effect, try pointing a ground spotlight or floodlight up the trunk and branches of a majestic tree. 

Learn more: Choosing the right outdoor lighting.

Looking to tackle a few of the items above and can’t (or just plain don’t want to) do it yourself? Hire a pro. A professional landscaper can create a more sophisticated look for your property, boost curb appeal, and ensure the job is completed safely and skillfully.

Share your vision for sprucing up the front yard with your landscaper, then ask for their expert recommendations. They may suggest such ideas as filling in empty spots quickly, adding potted plants, installing lighting fixtures, or building a low-maintenance garden. Don’t forget to ask about timing, the date they can start your project, and when they estimate it will be completed.

Learn more: How to hire a professional landscaper.

Landscaping prices can vary widely, so be sure to communicate your budget before getting started. The quote you receive should include both design and installation costs. Check with local companies for a customized quote here.

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