AARP’s Smart Guide to Curb Appeal

15. Install a trellis

If your home’s front facade has an area that feels a bit bare, break it up with an easy-to-install trellis and a climbing-plant combo. Most home improvement stores offer off-the-shelf DIY trellis kits, and staff there can point you to popular vertical climbing plants like clematis, climbing roses or wisteria.  “Putting up a simple cedar trellis to support climbing clematis can add life to a facade,” says Jacob Naig, a licensed real estate investor, agent and project manager based in Des Moines, Iowa.

16. Add a walkway that wows …

Tired of the traditional concrete walkway that leads to your front door? Consider pavers: stone, brick or block that’s used to cover a surface. Pavers come in a variety of styles, from traditional cobblestones to sleek contemporary tiles.

“Pavers are a great way to increase curb appeal compared to poured concrete, because the variety of textures and colors that are available is almost infinite,” says Joe Raboine, former director of residential hardscapes at Belgard, a paver manufacturer. You can hire an installer or do the job yourself with DIY pavers available at home improvement stores. To reduce tripping hazards and maximize mobility ease, strive to keep paved walkways level, smooth and wide.

17. … And keep it weed-free

After you update your walkway, or if you just want to clean up the current one, keep weeds away by sealing the cracks. First, kill the weeds, then add concrete crack filler, an inexpensive and easy way to prevent weeds from shooting up. Many products are available in stores and online to fill in cracks permanently. 

 

GIVE YOUR YARD SOME LOVE

18. Listen to your weeds

Speaking of weeds, these “opportunistic plants” are often a response to scalping, which happens when you set your mower blades lower than what’s recommended. Examine the types of weeds you keep seeing to determine your next steps. If it’s lots of crabgrass, raise the height of your mower and consider adding nutrients. Creeping Charlie? There's too much shade, so overseed with shade-tolerant grass seed.

Knotweed is likely caused by compacted or heavy soil, so aerate in the fall and spring. White clover typically indicates low soil fertility. Looking for an environmentally friendly way to kill dandelions? Spray them with vinegar, or pour boiling water on them.

19. Check your soil

If your front yard still looks abysmal, it may be time to check your soil pH, or level of acidity. If it’s too high, plants will be unable to absorb iron, which is crucial for chlorophyll production;  if it’s too low, it can be toxic. Many state cooperative extension offices offer soil testing. You can also buy home kits online and at big-box stores, though the reading will likely not be as accurate as one taken by an extension service. Once you have your results, you can learn what kind of fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium) you need to return your soil to good health.

20. Refresh your landscaping

Refreshing or redesigning your landscape can add immediate curb appeal and real value to your home. For completely new installations, a common rule of thumb is to create a landscaping budget that’s roughly 10 percent of your home’s value  — so, roughly $40,000 for a $400,000 home. More modest revamps can cost much less. “An overall landscape upgrade, including shrubs, mulching and a paver walkway, will cost around $5,000,” Raboine says. Either way, you can expect to recoup more than 100 percent of your landscaping investment in the form of increased value to your property.  Homes with professionally landscaped front lawns can sell for as much as 15 percent more than homes with less attractive landscapes, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects.

So, does your home call for a lavish English garden or something more minimalistic? When it comes to landscaping, there’s no single right answer; you can even mix elements of multiple styles, says Kevin Lenhart, design director and landscape architect at Yardzen, an online landscape design service.  Just remember to make your design choice look “intentional, professional and cohesive,” he says. 

21. Add trees

Front lawns without trees can feel bare and uninviting. Consider adding at least one shade tree — think an oak or maple — plus a smaller, flowering one, like a pink or white dogwood, for visual interest. Mature trees add shade, saving you money on summertime cooling costs, and provide visual and sound buffers for added privacy. Research suggests that a yard with trees can also boost the overall value of your home.  Add your location and property sunlight exposure type —  mostly shady or full sun —  into the Arbor Day Foundation’s online Tree Finder resource to identify trees that would thrive in your yard.

22. Pick native plants

Promote water conservation and reduce overall bed upkeep by choosing native landscape plants that naturally thrive in your climate. Native plants are generally resistant to locally occurring pests and are well-suited to a given environment’s average rainfall and temperatures, so they won’t require as much supplemental watering, pesticides or fertilizing as non-native plants might. Not only are natives low-maintenance, they also give your beds a “naturally appealing look,” says Tammy Sons, CEO and founder of TN Nursery.  

23. Say goodbye to grass

With certain areas of the country facing continuing drought conditions, there’s a growing movement to replace grass and other water-hogging front-yard plants with more drought-resistant alternatives. “We’re seeing a 66 percent increase in client requests for lawn removal,” Lenhart says. Known as “xeriscaping,” this aesthetic requires little to no irrigation and leans on a mix of pavers, colored landscaping gravel and hearty, drought-resistant plants like succulents and no-mow ornamental grasses for visual appeal. For the look of grass without the maintenance, consider realistic-looking artificial turf, which can be installed by specialist companies, or a DIY project for smaller spaces.

24. Create a pollinator garden

Add beauty, a pop of color and a welcome haven for bees, butterflies and other beneficial native insects by creating an intentional pollinator zone in a small bed or corner of your front lawn. Opt for the best fits for your growing zone among pollinator-favorite plants like coneflowers, milkweed, bee balm, lavender, zinnia and black-eyed Susans. 

25. Capture and direct rainwater

Cut down on your water utility bill  — while still keeping your grass and plants looking green  — by installing a rainwater barrel to catch rain runoff. You can buy decorative, sculptural barrels that double as planters, or simple plastic versions you can decorate yourself.  Connect the barrel to a downspout, and voilà: a free, on-demand lawn and landscape watering source. Note that some states have regulations around rainwater capture, so be sure to check before installing a barrel.

26. Prune overgrowth

It’s hard for your home’s intrinsic charm to come through if it’s covered up by overgrown trees, shrubs or bushes. Grab a pair of sharp handheld pruners or electric hedge trimmers and get to work trimming excess limbs and branches. Winter is generally the best time to do deeper pruning, but it can vary from species to species. Trimming your plants to a manageable size so that they are no longer blocking front windows, doors and walkways will help your home feel more welcoming and less fortresslike.

27. Add a small fence

Another way to keep your front yard looking tidy — and to keep dogs from messing up your landscape — is to install a small fence. But look up your city and county regulations for height and other requirements. If the fence separates your plot from your neighbor’s, it’s also recommended you get their buy-in, and in some cases they may even help pay for part of it.

28. Nix mulch creep

If your mulch or landscaping gravel washes away in the rain, install landscape edging or pavers to keep ground-cover materials from spilling onto the lawn or walkways. If mulch or gravel still escapes after rain or strong winds, consider mulch glue, an outdoor adhesive that keeps mulch, pine straw, gravel, sand, dirt and other ground cover in place.

29. Refresh your existing mulch

You might notice your mulch needs a refresh. Add a layer of fresh mulch, or add new life to what’s already there with an easy-to-spray mulch dye. Look for products that promise to become colorfast in just a few hours. Just make sure to wear old clothes, and move any pavers or other items that could get stained during application.

30. Add a winding rock element

Bring boring front plant beds back to life by blending a winding strip of river rock among the mulch, suggests Danny Johnson, a real estate entrepreneur based in San Antonio, Texas, and host of the Flipping Junkie podcast.  “It’s amazing how the river rock flowing through the mulch can elevate the front yard —  and it doesn’t cost a fortune. When you add the river rock and mulch, you don’t have to cover the entire area with new, expensive plants.”

31. Try a new mowing pattern

Keep your grass well-trimmed, and for an extra wow factor, mow in a circle, a spiral or stripes, depending on the size and shape of your yard. Some people even use a lawn roller to force the blades of grass down in one direction to create a clean, stripy finish.

32. Add clean lines

Using a trimmer or edger can make your lawn look professionally manicured. Edging creates a neat cut line and prevents the grass from growing onto the sidewalk. You can also use it to neaten up the space between grass and mulch, and to create clean lines along beds.

33. Grow grass for your area

Tall fescue or zoysia? Kentucky bluegrass or buffalo grass? Each region has grasses that will grow better in its zone, and seed companies are constantly developing grasses that tout greater resilience and less maintenance. Typically your local big-box garden center will sell grasses meant for your area and a few other varietals. But do your research and consider seed strains that are already growing well in your yard.

34. Furnish a focal point

Give passersby something to notice when they glance your home’s way — whether it’s an attractive flowering tree, a front courtyard seating area or an eye-catching fountain or sculptural piece. “The right focal element is an expert way to add a bit of personality to your front yard,” says Cassi Hallam, chief marketing officer at System Pavers, a California-based outdoor living design and installation company.

“When it comes to your focal point, don’t be afraid to go big,” Hallam continues. “Scale the element to fit the yard. If it’s too small, it’ll just add visual clutter. You want it to be big enough to hold its own. Frame it, flaunt it. Make the most of your focal element, and design the bulk of your yard around it.”

35. Install window boxes

If the style of your home can accommodate them, add window boxes to your front windows for an instant charm upgrade. Fill them with a mix of annuals such as begonias, impatiens, petunias or vinca, which grow only around 8 to 12 inches tall, so they won’t block windows, according to Feathers. To maximize the cuteness factor, she suggests including trailing ivy or other hanging greenery to add softness and visual texture.

36. Add some lights

Turn heads toward your home’s exterior at nighttime as well by installing landscaping lights around front facades and in your landscape beds. You can work with a professional contractor — expect to pay an average of around $4,000, according to HomeAdvisor  — or opt for a DIY lighting kit from your local home improvement store. For added flair, use uplights to spotlight a focal feature, like a prominent tree or an architectural element, Sheppard suggests. “At night, when it’s lit up, it will give a beautiful, warm, inviting feel,” she says. If you’re looking for a fast, low-cost way to add lighting, lining your front walkways with solar lights doesn’t require any wiring, and the lights can be easily moved as needed. Simply stake the lights into the ground at even intervals, and you’ve added elements of both security and safety to your home — especially helpful if you or your guests often come and go past nightfall.

 

TACKLE BIG TASKS

37. Paint the exterior

Repaint your exterior in a new tone, especially if your current paint is dull, dated or cracking. Or, if your house has natural brick that looks stuck in the 1970s, consider painting it. Expect to pay around $3,000 for an average-size home exterior paint job, according to HomeAdvisor.  The curb-appeal impact is worth it. “I think painting your house is probably the biggest thing that you can do to really showcase its features — it’s the biggest surface area of your home and the first thing people see,” says Dierk Herbermann, chief operating officer at Colorado-based Kentwood Real Estate.

To stay on-trend, opt for white or creamy, neutral colors, the preferred exterior paint choices of most home-staging and design experts, according to Fixr.com’s 2024 Paint and Color Trends Report.  Searching for color inspiration that’s sure to feel fresh? Set off your white exterior with black trim.  

38. Stain your brick

If you’re ready for a new look but don’t want to paint over brick that’s in good condition, try another masonry makeover technique such as staining. It can give your brick new life without completely hiding its natural beauty. Two advantages of staining your brick rather than painting it: Brick stain can last 20 or more years, far longer than most paint jobs. Plus, staining lets the brick continue to breathe and doesn’t trap moisture like paint can.

39. Check gutters and downspouts

Make sure your gutters and downspouts are in good repair and divert rainwater properly. Clogged gutters look unsightly and can stain your brick or siding, while downspouts can clog or come unhinged over time.

40. Invest in a new garage door

Today’s garage doors come in an array of materials — from solid wood or wood composite to steel, aluminum, vinyl and fiberglass — and limitless design styles.

A garage door can cost between $750 for a standard panel door to $5,000 or more for a French or carriage-style look, depending on materials, but the investment can improve the value of your home. According to Zonda’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, homeowners can expect to recoup nearly twice (194 percent) the cost of a new garage door in increased home resale value.

41. Modernize your windows

By installing modern, high-efficiency windows, you can de-age your property by decades and reduce your monthly heating and cooling costs. In fact, replacing drafty old windows with new, Energy Star–rated windows can save you 7  to 15 percent on your annual utility bill, according to the Department of Energy.  Another advantage: The newer-style tilt-in windows are much easier to clean than older styles.  Replacement can cost from as low as $100 each for basic windows to more than $2,000 per window for those with more elaborate styles or higher-quality materials such as aluminum. Work with a window specialist to explore the full range of price points and style options — including the growing popularity of black window frames — to achieve a modern, sophisticated aesthetic.

42. Add shutters — or subtract them

If you’re itching for a bold focal change to your home’s appearance, adding shutters may be the answer. Available in wood, aluminum, vinyl or composite, shutters come in an array of price points and styles, including popular board and batten, louvered and plantation options.  Alternatively, removing your shutters can feel like a restart. Just be aware that your siding may have faded from sun exposure, so the spots that were protected by shutters might need to be repainted or replaced.

43. Revitalize the roof

Most roofers suggest replacing asphalt shingles — the most commonly used roofing material, representing roughly 70 percent of the residential market — every 20 to 30 years. 

When it’s time to replace yours, don’t feel that you’re locked into traditional single-tone black, gray or brown shingles. The roofing market now offers a wide range of sophisticated multicolored roofing palettes such as merlot — Owens Corning’s 2025 shingle color of the year — which blends browns, grays and purply-red hues.  A new roof, with installation, can cost $20,000 or more, so look for shingles that are weather- and impact-resistant and energy-efficient to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth. If your roof still has life left in it but its visual luster has faded from years of dirt or algae buildup, consider hiring a company that specializes in roof cleaning. Expect to pay around $450 for professional roof washing, according to Angi.

44. Replace siding

If your current wood siding is dated or in disrepair — or you’re simply tired of the painting, waterproofing and other routine maintenance it requires — it may be time to look for a new option. While traditional wood-siding products can be susceptible to termites, rot, fire and wind damage, fiber-cement siding is low-maintenance, available in an array of colors, pest-resistant, noncombustible and able to withstand hurricane-force winds. Another bonus: It lasts for as long as 50 years. For a less expensive option, look for modern vinyl siding products that are fire- and fade-resistant and can withstand winds of at least 110 mph. 

45. Add a pergola

If your home’s footprint allows for it, consider adding a pergola to the side of it, or over an existing uncovered front porch, for added visual appeal and a bonus outdoor gathering space. “A pergola adds architectural structure, defines the yard and instantly signals that the exterior space is usable and thoughtfully planned,” says Tim Heneveld, U.S. country director of Pergolux, a pergola manufacturer.

46. Don’t forget the driveway

As one of the largest features of your home’s front footprint, the driveway plays a major role in overall curb appeal. Clean up small stains with a pressure washer or by scrubbing with dish detergent, vinegar and water. Fill in cracks with asphalt or concrete patching compounds. If your driveway is severely damaged or unlevel, consider hiring a contractor to replace it — and anticipate a bill around $6,400 for a new concrete one, according to Angi.

 

AND PAY ATTENTION TO SMALL DETAILS

47. Showcase your digits

Replace dated, shiny metal numbers with something more modern. Create a sign with the address of your residence and hang it near the doorbell, Sheppard suggests. Or install more trendy black or matte metal oversized numbers near the front door. Even minor upgrades like these will “show you are keeping up with trends and care about giving your home a little bit more of a polished look,” Carson says. 

48. Upgrade your mailbox

Consider installing a stylish curbside or doorside box. “Upgrading your mailbox isn’t just for the mailman. It can give your home an updated, elegant feeling,” says John Maxim, a house flipper based in Salt Lake City.  A shiny new mailbox can also signal positive vibes about its owners. “People who care about their mailbox typically pay attention to the small details inside their homes as well,” Maxim adds.

49. Install front-door hardware that pops

Top off your front-door refresh by replacing dated, basic doorknobs with more modern options. Choose from black or matte metal pull-variety handle sets, lever-style handles, traditional knobs with chic, flat, circular fronts (sometimes called “Bowery knobs”) or contemporary round rose knobs.

50. Build a trash-can screen

Hide visual clutter by installing a simple wooden screen for unsightly but necessary lawn features such as garbage cans or municipal utility boxes. Use wooden fence panels cut to size, or ready-to-install painted lattice sheets from your local home and garden center, to frame out a three-sided, U-shaped screen. This will block the view of the eyesore from the street while still providing access from the back as needed. Be sure to check with your utility company for guidelines and restrictions before installing any barrier around utility boxes.

51. Review HOA guidelines

Speaking of restrictions, if you live in a neighborhood governed by a homeowners association (HOA), pull out a copy of your deed restrictions or membership guidelines before making any major changes to your home’s exterior. Many HOAs have strict policies about the types of driveways (asphalt versus concrete, for example), front-lawn decor and even mailboxes or house numbers they permit.

52. Leverage a Realtor’s expertise

Finally, if you’re preparing to sell your home, draw in the trained eye of a real estate agent. Realtors are experts in spotting potential curb-appeal problems that could benefit from a little TLC before your listing goes live. So do an exterior walk of your property with a trusted agent, and develop a project improvement list to ensure that the curb appeal of your house is primed to bring top dollar.