Want to Be the Envy of Your Street? Try These Easy Curb Appeal Boosters

Boosting your home's curb appeal doesn’t necessarily require a major renovation or big landscaping changes. Sometimes, just a few tweaks and simple DIY projects can do the trick.

By: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions

Neaten the Edges

Even the most basic flower bed will look fantastic when properly edged. Clean lines and bold hues help boost this home's entry.

Polish-Up Your Entrance

Nothing makes a walkway or entry more polished and secure than an attractive gate. Consider a solid-planked gate if you prefer privacy or have kids and pets.

Consider a Knee Wall

If you spend a lot of time in your front yard, a simple architectural feature like a knee wall can delineate that outdoor living space and give you a little extra privacy.

Camouflage Eyesores

We all have them. Don't forget to strategically cover up eyesores like utility boxes, meters and grates. Something as simple as a well-placed potted plant with height or a sprinkling of bark can do wonders to conceal the ugly.

Add Landscape Lighting

Generally you think of lighting the landscape from the ground up, but don’t forget to make the most of existing trees and shrubbery by hanging low-cost LED string lights or enclosed lanterns. It creates a chic, casual vibe, perfect for those cocktail parties at sunset you’ll be hosting.

Update Shutters

Never underestimate the power of shutters. They’re like accessories for your favorite LBD; they can totally change the look. Add some shutters if you don’t have any to highlight windows and give your home more architectural weight. A fresh coat of paint on existing shutters in a bright, soothing color can instantly boost curb appeal. Or, update current shutters with more wood detail to add textural interest.

Create a Social Zone

Now your home has attracted the neighbors' attention, and you need a cozy spot to hang out with them. This traditional bench in a cheerful aqua hue draws the eye and can hold up to the elements. Add a few chic pillows to soften things up.

Add in Lush Plants

Planter groupings brimming with gorgeous succulents are a great way to soften a hardscape or concrete patio. Varying sizes are easily unified by a similar shape or color.

Make Your Own Door Mat

Add a little personality to your entry, and put a smile on your visitors' faces with this simple DIY doormat project. Who doesn’t love getting a compliment? Get the how-to instructions.

Create a Pretty Garden Box

If you're looking for something a little different to plant teeny-tiny succulents in, craft this sweet succulent box. It's definitely a conversation piece, and the plants are hardy. Get the how-to instructions.

Add Containers with Color

Add color into existing beds without a lot of commitment. Simply pop your favorite colored annuals into attractive, lightweight containers, then mix them in with your in-ground shrubbery. It’s a fun, easy way to get a layered look that’s low-maintenance and colorful.

Craft Posh Address Planters

This super easy project not only makes a stylish statement, but it lets visitors know they’ve arrived at the right party pad. Get the how-to instructions.

Give Your Mailbox a Makeover

It’s one of the first things people see, so why not give it some love? Add a few simple plants in varying heights and textures, and you’ve got a mailbox you can be proud of. Colorful annuals are easy to swap out when fall comes around; just keep the plantings simple and it’ll be easy to maintain year-round.

Upgrade Your Garage Door

If your home has front-facing garage doors, consider this a curb-appeal opportunity. A gorgeous garage door doesn’t have to be a major investment. Update the doors with a fresh coat of paint or a rich stain, then add new hardware for a major makeover. We love how just a few adjustments can take a simple garage door to the next level.

Give Everything a Thorough Cleaning

Make the most of what you have by giving light fixtures, doors and walkways a thorough cleaning. Sometimes a little soap and elbow grease are all you need. You'll be surprised at the overall improvement once the dirt and grime are washed away.