13 Cheap Ways to Add Instant Curb Appeal

Freshen up your front entryway and lawn with these expert ideas and products.

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June 26, 2015

By: Lori Johnston

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©Ashton Woods

Photo By: Cathedral Antiques Tour of Homes

Photo By: JJ Ortega Real Estate Photography

Photo By: The Home Depot

Photo By: Burgon & Ball

Photo By: Landscape Plans Plus

Photo By: Charlotte Tripson

Photo By: HomeGoods

Photo By: Cathedral Antiques Show

Photo By: Macy's

Photo By: Engel & Volkers Buckhead Atlanta

Photo By: Oldfield

Photo By: Achla Designs

Rocking Chairs on Stone Front Porch

A pair of rocking chairs and a small table create a welcoming nook for guests. Also, change out your lighting for a fixture that fits better with the style of your home.

Well-Manicured Yard

Make your yard look as good as you can, by keeping your lawn cut and fertilized and choosing plants that fit with the scale of your home, says Kip Matthews of The Gardeners’ Guild, a California company and member of the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

Traditional Brick Home with Landscaped Yard

One of the smartest steps in improving curb appeal is make sure the landscaping is uniform and directs the view to the front of the home, says Bruce Holliday of Landscape Plans Plus in Georgia. Also, as this home in Atlanta's historic Druid Hills neighborhood shows, you can accent the front of the home with a festive flag.

Path Lights Along Walkway

Path lights that fit your home's style are functional and decorative. These path lights from The Home Depot are placed in a mulched area with dainty flowers, creating a cohesive look for guests.

Bright Birdhouse

Bring in an accessory, such as a cute birdhouse, to liven up a tree in your front yard and to attract fluttering creatures. This bird nesting house is from Sophie Conrad's collection for Burgon & Ball.

Brick Traditional Home with Landscaped Front Yard

Update your planter beds with colorful flowers and plants, says Kip Matthews of The Gardeners’ Guild and a member of the National Association of Landscape Professionals. A rock wall, created by Georgia-based Landscape Plans Plus, also adds to this home's curb appeal.

Eclectic Seating Area

Create a cozy spot with a bench and a garden stool, which can do double duty as a table or ottoman. You can buy a neutral bench and bring in pops of color through pillows, such as these from Decorative Arts in Vero Beach, Florida.

Colorful Mailboxes

For a simple update to the front of your home, add a new mailbox. Choosing a vibrant color, such as these mailboxes sold by HomeGoods, and a style that matches your home's design, can get the attention of your mail carrier and guests (or potential homebuyers).

Cottage Front Door

Adorn your front entryway with DIY or store-bought wreaths and a pop of color, such as teal, for instant curb appeal.

Casual Porch with Tea Cart

Show guests you are ready to host them with a tea or bar cart and rocking chairs on your front porch. You can find antique tea carts or purchased new ones from retailers such as Macy's. A cart can be used for entertaining outside or indoors. Also, green up your entryway with hanging plants for additional curb appeal.

Elegant Contemporary Entryway

Create and update garden beds that direct people's eyes to the front entry, says Bruce Holliday of Landscape Plans Plus. Adding pine straw also can freshen up a space. Whether it's an multimillion-dollar Atlanta estate or a smaller home, add containers at the front door.

Cottage Front Yard

Personalize your property by adding a small sign with the nickname of your home or your house numbers. Also, freshen up your stairs and porch with a coat of paint.

Modern Metal Arbor

Using an arbor can bring structure and style to your walkway or a section of your front yard. You can find used arbors at garage sales or antique stores. A new arbor, such as this one by Achla Designs, is under $300.

13 Cheap Ways to Add Instant Curb Appeal

Related To:

Shop This Look

Rocking Chairs on Stone Front Porch

Well-Manicured Yard

Traditional Brick Home with Landscaped Yard

Path Lights Along Walkway

Bright Birdhouse

Brick Traditional Home with Landscaped Front Yard

Eclectic Seating Area

Colorful Mailboxes

Cottage Front Door

Casual Porch with Tea Cart

Elegant Contemporary Entryway

Cottage Front Yard

Modern Metal Arbor

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