10 Curb Appeal Tips That Actually Increase Home Value

Curb appeal isn't just about making your home look nice for the neighbors. It directly impacts your home's market value, resale potential, and the impression it makes on every visitor, delivery driver, and passerby. According to the National Association of Realtors, strong curb appeal can add 5-15% to your home's sale price -- that's $15,000 to $45,000 on a $300,000 home.

But not all curb appeal improvements are created equal. Some investments deliver a strong return while others are purely cosmetic with minimal financial benefit. In this guide, we focus on the 10 curb appeal tips that consistently deliver measurable increases in home value, backed by real estate data and appraisal insights.

1. Upgrade Your Front Door

Your front door is the focal point of your entire home exterior. A new steel entry door consistently ranks among the highest-ROI home improvements, with a typical cost recoupment of 90-100% at resale. If a full replacement isn't in the budget, a fresh coat of paint in a bold, contrasting color can achieve a similar visual impact for under $50. Navy blue, emerald green, black, and classic red are proven choices that photograph well and catch the eye.

Don't forget the hardware. New brushed brass or matte black door handles, a modern house number set, and a quality doormat complete the transformation. These small details signal to buyers that the home is well-maintained.

2. Invest in Professional Landscaping

Landscaping is the single biggest driver of curb appeal. A well-designed landscape with layered plantings, defined borders, and seasonal color can increase your home's value by 10-12%. Start with foundation plantings that frame the house, add flowering shrubs for color, and include evergreens for year-round structure. For a deeper dive into landscaping options, see our front yard landscaping ideas guide.

You can use AI design tools to preview different landscaping schemes on your actual home before investing. This takes the guesswork out of plant and material selection.

3. Power Wash Everything

It's free to overlook, but grime buildup on siding, walkways, driveways, and fences makes even beautiful homes look neglected. Renting a pressure washer for a day costs $50-100 and the results are nothing short of dramatic. A clean driveway alone can make a home look 10 years newer. Pay special attention to the front walkway, porch, and any stone or concrete surfaces visible from the street.

4. Add Landscape Lighting

Landscape lighting extends your curb appeal into the evening hours and dramatically improves the way your home presents itself after dark. Solar-powered LED path lights along the walkway, uplights on specimen trees, and accent lighting on architectural features create a welcoming, upscale ambiance. This is a particularly effective improvement for real estate listings, as many home shoppers drive by properties in the evening.

A complete solar lighting package for a front yard typically costs $100-300 and installs in a single afternoon with no electrical work required.

5. Maintain a Pristine Lawn

A healthy, green lawn remains one of the strongest signals of a well-maintained home. Regular mowing, edging, fertilization, and weed control are essential. If your lawn has bare patches or is predominantly weeds, consider overseeding in fall or laying fresh sod in problem areas. A lush lawn costs very little to maintain but contributes significantly to perceived home value.

For homeowners looking to reduce lawn maintenance, replacing portions of grass with ornamental gardens or ground cover is an equally attractive option. The key is that whatever replaces the lawn must look intentional and well-kept.

6. Refresh Your Mulch and Garden Beds

Fresh mulch is one of the fastest, cheapest curb appeal improvements available. A 2-3 inch layer of dark brown or black mulch immediately makes garden beds look polished and intentional. It also suppresses weeds, retains moisture, and protects plant roots. Budget approximately $3-4 per bag, and most front yards need 10-20 bags for complete coverage.

While you're at it, redefine bed edges with a sharp spade for crisp, clean lines. The contrast between a manicured bed edge and the lawn creates a professional appearance that costs nothing but time.

7. Upgrade Your Garage Door

For many homes, the garage door is the single largest visible element of the front facade. A dated, dented, or faded garage door drags down the entire appearance. Garage door replacement consistently ranks as one of the top ROI home improvements, with a typical cost recoupment of 93-97%. Choose a style that complements your home's architecture -- carriage house doors for traditional homes, contemporary flush panels for modern designs.

8. Add Window Boxes and Container Gardens

Window boxes packed with colorful flowers add charm and visual interest at eye level, where people naturally look. They work on virtually every home style and can be changed seasonally -- pansies in spring, petunias and geraniums in summer, ornamental cabbage in fall, and evergreen boughs in winter. Matching containers flanking the front door or along the porch steps amplify the effect.

The key to window box success is consistent watering and regular deadheading. Neglected, wilted plants have the opposite effect of what you're going for.

9. Replace or Repair Your Walkway

A cracked, uneven walkway is both an eyesore and a safety hazard. Depending on the severity, you may need full replacement or simple repairs. Concrete leveling, new pavers, or natural stone stepping stones can all create an inviting path to your front door. The walkway is the literal path every visitor takes -- make sure it's making a positive impression.

Consider widening a narrow walkway while you're at it. A generous path (at least 4 feet wide) feels more welcoming than a cramped 2-foot strip. Add flanking plantings or low border lights for additional appeal.

10. Paint or Update Exterior Trim

Faded, peeling, or dated trim undermines every other curb appeal improvement. Fresh paint on window frames, soffits, fascia, and shutters gives the entire house a refreshed appearance. Choose a trim color that contrasts with your siding -- white trim on dark houses, charcoal or black trim on light houses. High-quality exterior paint costs more upfront but lasts 7-10 years, making it an excellent long-term investment.

If your entire exterior needs attention, a full repaint or new siding can deliver ROI of 60-70% at resale while making the home feel completely new.

Prioritizing Your Curb Appeal Investments

If you can't tackle all 10 improvements at once, prioritize based on condition and ROI. The highest-impact, lowest-cost items are: power washing (immediate transformation, minimal cost), fresh mulch and bed edging (under $100), and a freshly painted front door (under $50). These three projects alone can dramatically change how your home presents itself.

For larger investments, landscaping and garage door replacement deliver the strongest financial returns. Use YardRemix to visualize landscaping changes before committing, and compare your options side by side.

For more outdoor design inspiration, explore our guides on backyard makeovers, fire pit designs, and pool landscaping.