Four Steps to More Curb Appeal

"Make sure people know where your front door is, and then work on drawing people toward the front door," says landscape designer Nickerson. Berstler worked on one house that had two doors in front, one to the left and one to the right, so that visitors had no idea where to go. She created a curved path from the sidewalk to the house that led up to the front door, and a large patio outside the door that created an outdoor foyer for the home.

Not all fixes need to involve major — and expensive — work. "It can be as simple as painting the front door a different color," says designer Riley. "It's a quick and easy thing you can do yourself." Nickerson loves to paint the front door a bright color and "put out a really big welcome mat."

Tim Thoelecke, owner of Garden Concepts in Glenview, Ill., says you can create an outdoor foyer to welcome visitors and direct attention to the front door through the strategic placement of a bench or some potted plants. "You feel as if you're arriving somewhere rather than just stepping up on a stoop," he says. It's an important part of curb appeal, which he defines as "the entire experience somebody has from the time they arrive in the driveway until they pass through the front door."

Next: Dealing With the Driveway