Curb appeal is what makes your home feel inviting right from the moment someone arrives. It’s like a little sneak peek into the warmth and personality inside! Whether it’s for neighbors, friends, or just for your own enjoyment, adding those welcoming touches outside can make such a difference. Ready to make your home look more inviting and beautiful? Let’s dive into some simple ways to add curb appeal!
Our Home’s Curb Appeal Progress
Well when I saw our house for the first time, I knew it had great bones. I mean, it’s taupe-grey. There are no permanently weird colors or awkward features (except maybe the lamp post that doesn’t function in the middle of our lawn!).
But I also knew that there were a few updates I wanted to make. Here’s what our to-do list looked like:
- Paint front doors black
- Repaint the column (the paint is all weathered and chippy)
- Touch up the painted door trim
- Repaint garage man-door (it’s very worn and messy looking)
- Update the garage door
- Replace light fixtures on the garage and under the porch (we did this but haven’t taken pics yet)
- Add a street number sign
- Reshingle the roof
And here’s what we’ve still got to do almost 8 years later:
- Maybe add shutters on the upstairs two windows
- Repaint the garage door trim and porch column – AGAIN (since it’s wood, it requires regular refinishing)
How to Add Curb Appeal – 40+ Ways
So now that you know a few of the things we’ve tackled with our home’s curb appeal here are lots of curb appeal ideas that you can use for your house too.
1. Pressure Wash Walkways, Decking, and Sides of Home
I’m always surprised by how much better things look after a good power-washing. We power wash our concrete pool deck every spring since it seems to get really dirty over the winter.
If you don’t have a pressure washer, consider borrowing one from a friend, family member, or neighbor. Or buy one with a friend and share it. We borrowed our neighbors a few times before we bought our own.
2. Repaint or Restain the Porch
If your porch has seen better days, clean it up and then repaint or restain it. Be sure to color match any existing trim and finishes for a seamless look. And use products specifically designed for porches, so that all your hard work will withstand the weather and the elements.
If you can’t strip and completely refinish your porch or trim a good stop gap measure is this easy solution to peeling outdoor paint. It lasts a couple years.
3. Paint Shutters and Trim
Shutters and trim can also often use refinishing every few years at a minimum, especially if you live in a northern climate with four full seasons. Be sure to color match these as well so that your house looks better and not worse!
4. Paint the Front Door
You can choose to paint your front doors with a pop of color like yellow, red, or turquoise.
But our house was just itching for some elegant BLACK front doors and cohesiveness.
As you can see the doors didn’t get changed, instead we simply painted them in Tricorn Black by Sherwin Williams (which is the same as the color we painted the interior side of the doors on the entryway side).
5. Add New Door Hardware
Sometimes DIY projects can feel overwhelming, can’t they? Especially if you’re like me and find power tools to be intimidating (I’m a bit of a klutz!). But there’s one DIY project that is easy enough for anyone to do – changing your door hardware.
Dollar for dollar, updating your door hardware makes a bigger impact on your home than many other afternoon projects.
One of the best things we did at this house was to change our exterior door hardware to keyless entry. This is why we chose the Schlage TouchTM Keyless Touchscreen Deadbolt with coordinating handles and knobs.
That way there’s no keys to lose, and for would-be intruders, no cylinder to pick.
Of course, as a designer, I like things to coordinate. So, when the deadbolt is changed, the rest of the hardware needs to change too.
For the longest time, we’ve been fans of matte black door hardware for inside and outside our house. It’s such a statement-making choice. And like I mentioned, doing all this is an easy project that anyone can do. When we changed the locks on the front doors, we also changed the handles and knobs to Schlage’s lovely coordinating matte black collection.
6. Add Front Door Décor
The front door is a great spot for adding a little charm and character to your exterior and welcoming your guests in too.
- Hang a wreath or two
- Add vinyl script words or saying welcoming people (or discouraging sales and soliciting). We added some fun script lettering to the doors with decals from here (paid affiliate link).
7. Add Porch Curtains
If you like to sit out on your front porch, porch curtains can be practical as well as pretty. They can also add a certain softness to an otherwise boxy and hard space. We haven’t done this yet, but I’m hoping to one day. I can just seem them blowing in the breeze on a lazy summer’s day.
TIP: Keep porch curtains plain and light so that they don’t compete with the outdoor natural surroundings.
8. Don’t Forget a Doormat
A doormat is another spot to show your personality and add some character to your home’s exterior.
A recent trend of layering door mats is a lovely way to do this:
- Start with a large plain mat or outdoor rug (solid colors work best for this layer).
- Add a medium-sized patterned outdoor rug (plaid or floral are great here).
- Top with a small doormat (consider a welcoming or even cheeky saying, depending on your personality).
9. Makeover Your Mailbox
Depending on its current condition, either replace or rehab your mailbox. Give an old one a new coat of paint or add a name plaque.
Our house didn’t have a house mailbox (we have community boxes at the end of the street), so we ordered this simple one for the porch. Mostly it’s used for flyers lol. But occasionally it’s handy for people dropping things off.
10. Upgrade Your House Numbers
House numbers are essential for helping delivery drivers and (heaven-forbid) emergency services find you. But they can get worn and tired looking very quickly.
Consider updating to a more stylish version that is also more clear than perhaps your existing numbers are.
When we moved to this house, believe it or not, there were no house numbers! So we had one made with the number and the street name on it. There are lots of options for this these days that won’t break the bank.
11. Update the Lighting
Exterior lighting is also another easy to swap out double whammy – better lighting is safer and can be more stylish too. And it doesn’t have to be expensive. Shop around, scope out sales and update those lights! We updated the lights on both sides of the garage and under the front porch and it made a world of difference in bringing our 25 year old house into this decade!
12. Put Out Planters
Potted plants can add a lot of beauty and literal life to your front porch and home. Opt for a classic color and shape and then just change out the plants with the seasons.
Porch Planters
Line the steps to your porch with pretty planters. Or flank both sides of your front doors with stunning symmetrical planters for extra curb appeal.
Hanging Planters
Line your porch with hanging planters or simply place a couple of hanging baskets on either side of your garage.
TIP: Be sure to choose self-watering planters or to keep them well-watered.
13. Add Some Seating
Front porch seating has a “come and stay awhile” vibe that makes a house look super attractive. You can do this even on a small porch.
TIP: Choose seating that fits the scale of your porch – smaller if you have a small porch and larger-scale if you have a larger porch to avoid things feeling cluttered.
14. Redo Your Walkway
Do you need a new walkway? Why not create one that is unique and compliments your home’s architecture! Try stamped concrete, mosaic pebbles, flagstone, or wood for something new in your front yard.
15. Install Landscape Lighting
In addition to regular exterior lighting, landscape lighting can elevate your home’s curb appeal. Have professionals install a complete lighting system if you have the budget. Or do it yourself with solar-powered stake lights that you can simply “plop” into place.
16. Upgrade Railings
If your porch has railings, consider giving them an upgrade with a new paint job or replacing them with more updated versions.
At our last house, we actually removed the railings to make the porch look better. It was a ground level porch so they weren’t needed for safety and they just made the whole front of the house look crowded and messy.
17. Give the Garage Door a Refresh
Depending on the garage door you have, you can repaint or restain it. Or you can give it another type of upgrade…
We used a couple of kits from Coach House Accents to update the garage doors:
- Decor Windows – in Sandstone
- Traditional Series Plastic Hinge and Handle Kit – in Black
They are plastic, but they are gorgeous, easy to install, and extremely durable (they’ve been up for 8 years now and are still good as new).
18. Hide Electrical Fixtures & Meters
Meters and electrical fixtures can all contribute to a cluttered, messy look to your home’s exterior. If you hide them by building a small fence or something around them (so they can still be accessed, of course) can hide them or disguise them just enough so they blend in.
We haven’t done this at our house because our meters have always been at the side of the house out of sight.
19. Clean Your Gutters
This is more of a home maintenance thing. But full gutters can contribute to a messy-looking exterior if they are overflowing with debris or if they are sending dirty water over the sides because they’re too full.
20. Replace Gutters and Downspouts
If your gutters and downspouts have seen better days, then consider replacing them with fresh new ones. This will be good for your home, but also your home’s curb appeal.
We added matching extensions to some of our downspouts at this house.
21. Add Window Shutters
Window shutters started out as a practical way to protect your windows during inclement weather. But functional or non-functional shutters also look cute on many houses. As I noted above, I’d love to put some pretty shutters on the front upstairs windows at this house. But so far, other things have taken precedence.
22. Install Window Boxes
Whether you build your own window boxes as we did years ago, or you buy ready-made versions, window boxes can add so much welcoming character to a home. Like these ones we built and added to our bungalow…
23. Take Care of Your Lawn
A lovely lawn is one of those city or suburban things that add to curb appeal.
Rake any yard waste that didn’t get taken care of in the fall and bag it. In the spring, it’s best to wait for the ladybugs (and other good bugs) and bunny rabbits to be done their “nesting” period before raking.
You can add some corn gluten or other weed discouraging product, or simply pull any weeds as they appear. Then fertilize and overseed as needed.
My favorite lawn was this one after we worked with Scott’s and really got it looking nice!
24. Trim Your Shrubs
If your shrubs and bushes have gotten overgrown, give them a good trim. As I understand, this is best done in the spring or fall and not in the heat of summer’s active growing season.
25. Remove High-Maintenance Plants, Trees, and Bushes
I’m so not a gardener. So at a couple of our houses, I’ve had to remove a few plants that were just too much for me to maintain. We replaced them with lower maintenance, but still lovely to look at options.
26. Grow a Good Vine
Install a trellis and climbing vines on the outside wall of your home. I have two flowering clematis vines at this house after having them at one of our last houses too.
TIP: Choose vines that won’t ruin your house’s exterior finish by clinging to it.
27. Plant a Tree, or Two or Three…
Maybe an old tree died over the winter. Or maybe you just have the perfect place for a tree. At various houses we’ve planted hydrangeas, pear trees and more.
Try making it a family event and get your whole family involved in the planting. Our kids even named one of the trees we planted years ago when they were small!
28. Add or Redo a Flower Bed
Flower beds are the perfect welcoming touch to a front yard. Add a new one or clean up and replant an old one for a little more curb appeal, like we did at this house. Somehow after 20+ years, no one had planted anythign permanent (perennial) in these gardens. So in addition to the hydrangea standard tree, we added black-eyed Susans and other perennial flowers and grasses.
Plant Heirloom Plants
For a unique garden, try planting heirloom varieties such as lavender, moonflowers, and Russian sage. Lavender is especially beautiful and useful in potpourri and soaps. It gives an old-time cottage garden feel to a yard.
Plan for Spring Bulbs
Look at your existing gardens or new gardens you want to add and make a plan to incorporate some tulips or daffodils to brighten up the yard in the spring.
29. Plant Ground Cover
Want to replace some of your lawn with a low-maintenance alternative? Try low-groundcover plants that look pretty and are easy to maintain.
30. Put Down New Mulch
Any garden can use new mulch in the spring to freshen it up. Choose a color that will look best with your home’s exterior. My favorite is black or cedar rather than the redder varieties.
31. Edge Gardens and Walkways
By definition, edging plants are those that provide definition to gardens and walkways. They can soften the look of a hard stone walkway especially well. Just be sure to avoid messy plants, such as ones that drop berries!
32. Replace an Old Fence with Shrubs
Do you have an old fence that needs replacing? Perhaps you could plant a row of boxwood or cedar hedges instead to create a living fence?
33. Add Arbors or Fence Panels
Architectural items like arbors and fence panels can be a lovely addition to the exterior of your home. If you have a front gate, adding an archway can add beauty and curb appeal too.
34. Fence in Garbage Cans or Central A/C Units
Much like hiding electrical items outside, fencing in garbage cans and air conditioners provides a nice visual break from the practical bits and pieces.
35. Consider Outdoor Art or a Water Feature
If you’ve got the space for it, maybe add some outdoor art like a sculpture or a water feature. We had a lovely little water fountain at our last house.
36. Apply Stone Veneer (link to foundation refacing post)
If you live in a home that has a very prominent foundation, you may want to reface it to give it a little oomph.
We did this on our wee bungalow and it made a big difference in the appearance of the front of the house.
37. Paint the house
If your home is the type that needs repainting from time to time, definitely repaint it. This will not only be good protection from the elements, but it will also clean up the look of your home immensely.
38. Have the Roof Professionally Cleaned
If your roof is still in decent shape, but looking a little messy, have someone come and clean it. But use experienced professionals so that your don’t damage it.
39. Replace the Roof
Of course, this is more about maintenance – no one wants a leaky roof! Trust me – our roof has leaked before we had a chance to fix it! But a new roof can do wonders for your home’s looks too. Be sure to choose roofing that coordinates with the rest of the finishes on your home’s exterior.
40. Replace Front Doors or Windows
Or all the doors and windows if needed.
41. Replace Outdated Siding
If you’ve got old worn siding that won’t take paint well, consider replacing it with something a little more modern and more durable.
42. Reseal or Replace Gravel in Driveway
Driveways get a lot of wear and tear and could benefit from repair a lot sooner than most of us have the time or money to do it. But if you’re looking to improve your home’s curb appeal and maintain your home, resealing or repairing your driveway is key.
43. Make the Drainage Pretty
If you need drainage in your lawn, make it look pretty by installing a French drain of pretty gravel or rocks.
How will you use these curb appeal ideas for your home this year?
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