10 Surefire Ways to Boost Curb Appeal
A designer shares her top 10 tips for sprucing up the front of a house
There’s no need to buy a new house or take on an extensive remodel to get the curb appeal you want. There are many ways to approach your exterior to give it a serious update without a serious overhaul. These are my 10 favorite tips for you to boost your house’s first impression.
2. Railings
A new railing at the front of your house can really transform its look. Choose a style that reflects your taste. It doesn’t necessarily have to match the style of your house, as eclectic-style homes are the norm these days. Besides, none of us is truly 100 percent one type of style.
This railing on a home in Annapolis, Maryland, by Sarah Hayes Design is made from wood and metal mesh.
A new railing at the front of your house can really transform its look. Choose a style that reflects your taste. It doesn’t necessarily have to match the style of your house, as eclectic-style homes are the norm these days. Besides, none of us is truly 100 percent one type of style.
This railing on a home in Annapolis, Maryland, by Sarah Hayes Design is made from wood and metal mesh.
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3. Overhangs
By adding a stylish overhang above your front door, not only are you adding something functional to shield you from the sun and rain, you are adding character to the front of your house. Get creative with your overhang and incorporate some architectural screens like this home by Gaddy Construction in Montana.
By adding a stylish overhang above your front door, not only are you adding something functional to shield you from the sun and rain, you are adding character to the front of your house. Get creative with your overhang and incorporate some architectural screens like this home by Gaddy Construction in Montana.
4. Materials
Covering your house in a new veneer and siding can breathe fresh life into your exterior. You can layer on brick or stone veneer to bring substance to the front of your home. Also, consider the underside of your overhang — adding tongue and groove cedar can raise your front porch to a new level.
The entry of this home in Boston, renovated by Indresano Corp., features stonework, decking and a painted wood ceiling.
Covering your house in a new veneer and siding can breathe fresh life into your exterior. You can layer on brick or stone veneer to bring substance to the front of your home. Also, consider the underside of your overhang — adding tongue and groove cedar can raise your front porch to a new level.
The entry of this home in Boston, renovated by Indresano Corp., features stonework, decking and a painted wood ceiling.
5. Pathways
You don’t need to spend a fortune on all new landscaping. Start with an interesting walkway to your house and slowly work on the surrounding landscape to get it to where you want it to be, as seen in this Bay Area home by Stewart Home Designs.
Browse thousands of photos of garden paths
You don’t need to spend a fortune on all new landscaping. Start with an interesting walkway to your house and slowly work on the surrounding landscape to get it to where you want it to be, as seen in this Bay Area home by Stewart Home Designs.
Browse thousands of photos of garden paths
6. Soft and Hard Landscaping
If you want to take on a bigger project, adding soft and hard landscaping is one of the most effective ways to transform the front of your home. It’s best if you work with a landscape designer to come up with a cohesive plan for your walkway, stairs, plants and flowers. This takes some planning and it can be costly, but it’s satisfying to witness the transformation.
This front yard in Salt Lake City features Japanese maples and ornamental grasses. The home was renovated by Renovation Design Group.
If you want to take on a bigger project, adding soft and hard landscaping is one of the most effective ways to transform the front of your home. It’s best if you work with a landscape designer to come up with a cohesive plan for your walkway, stairs, plants and flowers. This takes some planning and it can be costly, but it’s satisfying to witness the transformation.
This front yard in Salt Lake City features Japanese maples and ornamental grasses. The home was renovated by Renovation Design Group.
7. Paint
A simple paint job for the front of your home can work wonders. There are a lot of computer programs that let you see the exterior of your house in various color combinations. Find the combo you love most and go for it. If you grow tired of it, you can always change it.
This Craftsman home renovated by design-build firm Harrell Remodeling features a classic color combination.
Read more guides about choosing exterior colors
A simple paint job for the front of your home can work wonders. There are a lot of computer programs that let you see the exterior of your house in various color combinations. Find the combo you love most and go for it. If you grow tired of it, you can always change it.
This Craftsman home renovated by design-build firm Harrell Remodeling features a classic color combination.
Read more guides about choosing exterior colors
8. House Numbers
Adding new house numbers is a simple way to make an instant impact on the exterior of your home. Besides just picking out new numbers, consider where they will work and look the best. It might be a different location than your current house numbers.
The entry numbers on this house by NUMI Home add a modern farmhouse feel to the entry.
Shop for house numbers on Houzz
Adding new house numbers is a simple way to make an instant impact on the exterior of your home. Besides just picking out new numbers, consider where they will work and look the best. It might be a different location than your current house numbers.
The entry numbers on this house by NUMI Home add a modern farmhouse feel to the entry.
Shop for house numbers on Houzz
9. Front Doors
If your budget lets you update just one thing at a time, you may want to start with your front door. Consider choosing something that lets light into the interior of your house, as seen in this Seattle Farmhouse by Blue Sound Construction. That serves dual purposes, by changing the feel of the outside of your home and altering the inside too.
If your budget lets you update just one thing at a time, you may want to start with your front door. Consider choosing something that lets light into the interior of your house, as seen in this Seattle Farmhouse by Blue Sound Construction. That serves dual purposes, by changing the feel of the outside of your home and altering the inside too.
10. Lighting
It’s amazing how much lighting can transform a space, even on the outside. Consider wall sconces, overhead lighting and path lights for maximum impact. This home is by Fergus Garber Architects.
Browse outdoor lighting
More on Houzz
10 Exterior Projects That Add Up to Maximum Curb Appeal
Read more remodeling guides
Browse thousands of exterior photos
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It’s amazing how much lighting can transform a space, even on the outside. Consider wall sconces, overhead lighting and path lights for maximum impact. This home is by Fergus Garber Architects.
Browse outdoor lighting
More on Houzz
10 Exterior Projects That Add Up to Maximum Curb Appeal
Read more remodeling guides
Browse thousands of exterior photos
Find a pro for your home project
Shop for your home
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Door paint color: Egg Yolk, Martha Stewart
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