Curb appeal not only makes your home more attractive and inviting for you and your family, it could also boost your property value. Adding a few simple exterior upgrades can make your place feel more enjoyable however long you decide to live there and be an asset if you decide to move.
Looking for inspiration? Here are five curb appeal ideas to consider.
Key Points
• Enhancing curb appeal can make your home more attractive and boost property value.
• A fresh coat of paint on the front door is a simple, affordable way to positively impact curb appeal, as is landscaping.
• New windows and shutters can significantly enhance a home’s exterior.
• Adding outdoor lighting, such as solar LEDs or glass lanterns, highlights the home’s features.
• Repairing the roof and gutters improves the home’s overall appearance and functionality.
1. Revitalize the Front Door and Mailbox
A fresh coat of paint on a front door can do wonders, and certain colors can be especially appealing. For instance, buyers tend to prefer homes with a black front door and may be willing to pay an average of $6,450 more for one, according to Zillow’s 2025 data. On the other hand, other front door colors, such as cement gray, could have a negative impact on a home’s value.
This can also be the time to update the doorknob and door knocker, and any hardware on the door, including the street number. While you’re at it, what about a matching new mailbox? They even come with LED lights nowadays to do double duty.
2. Curb Appeal Landscaping
When choosing landscaping elements, keep the design of the home in mind, along with the size and slope of the lawn. A large lawn might look wonderful with shrubs that would likely overwhelm a smaller one, while eye-catching flowers might look perfect in front of a cottage-style dwelling but get lost in the shuffle in front of a big modern home. For curb appeal landscaping, also consider how its design moves guests to the front door, perhaps wending along the walkways.
Entire books can be written on curb appeal landscaping options, so enjoy exploring! While doing so, don’t forget how attractive window boxes full of blooming flowers can look. Consider integrating native flora, which have already adapted to your local climate and soil conditions and should thrive in your yard. This can be a plus in terms of being low maintenance and not needing additional watering.
3. Upgrade Windows and Shutters
For a significant change in the look of a home, consider a brand-new style of windows. Options include eye-catching casement windows that are hinged to crank open. With these windows, one side stays in place while the other side opens like a door.
Awning windows can be another interesting choice. With this style, the window swings open from the bottom while the top part stays fixed in place. Bay windows can also really make a difference in curb appeal. Also consider new shutters, perhaps ones that complement a newly painted front door.
4. Don’t Forget the Lighting
As part of curb appeal landscaping, also think about outdoor lighting that will highlight the new look. A new fixture on the porch can make a difference aesthetically.
Along the front of the home and walkways, outdoor solar LEDs can be one option because they aren’t hard to install and can be cost efficient. They don’t create bright light, though, so they can be used as a form of supplementary lighting.
Traditional glass lanterns can be attractive, especially when paired with vintage-style bulbs. Ones that mimic the gas lanterns of the Victorian era have been trending.
5. Repair the Roof
If the roof has loose or missing shingles, this can make even the most appealing home look in need of some tender loving care. So, addressing these problems can add to curb appeal. As part of the project, check gutters and downspouts and take care of them as needed.
Costs for Upgrades
After thinking about what projects to take on, the next question to consider may be what these home remodeling projects cost.
New Front Door
A new door can cost under $100 for a basic hollow core choice up to $7,000 or more for a pricey wrought iron door. Installation can add $1,452 on average, according to the home improvement site Angi as of mid-2025. If you’re on a budget, you may want to consider painting an existing door and replacing hardware and a doorknob.
Landscaping
As with just about any home improvement project, curb appeal landscaping costs can vary by project. Landscaping services run around $50-$150 per hour on average, and if you’re buying flowers, shrubs, or trees vs. just maintaining your current grounds, that will add to the cost as well.
New Windows
On average, new windows cost $300 and up, with costs varying based on size, location, materials, and other factors. Some news windows can be in the thousands each (such as a large bay window). The cost for replacing all windows in a typical three-bedroom home can run about $7,655 on average as of mid-2025 according to Angi. That said, the investment may be worth it, as new energy-efficient windows can help you save a bundle on energy bills.
Roof Repairs
A moderate roof repair currently costs $1,000 to $3,000, with a major repair costing $3,000 to $6,000 or more on average. If a full replacement is needed, that could ring up between $5,700 and $16,000. Repairing the gutters can come with an average price tag of $390.
Funding Your Curb Appeal Ideas
As much fun as it is to dream of all the ways to improve the exterior of your home, just as important is how you’ll pay for the upgrades. You may decide to pay for the improvements out of a savings account or put everything on credit cards and pay off the balances in full when they’re due.
Keep in mind that if you choose to use credit cards — but are unable to pay off the balances in full when they’re due — you’ll likely be charged compound interest on the balance. And that could add to the overall amount you owe. To see how compound interest can pile up, take a look at this credit card interest calculator.
If it doesn’t make sense to use credit cards to fund curb appeal ideas, then you may want to explore a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or a personal loan.
Taking out a HELOC can make sense under certain circumstances, including these:
• Significant equity exists in the home.
• A large sum of money is needed.
• Potential tax benefits are attractive.
Benefits of a personal loan include the following:
• If the loan is unsecured, then home equity will not be tied up.
• Fees are probably less; in some cases, there aren’t any.
• The application process is usually easier, with the approval process typically quicker than the process for a HELOC.
You may find personal loans created just for home-related purposes marketed as home improvement loans.
What Style Is My House Exterior Quiz
The Takeaway
Improving your home’s curb appeal can help make it more attractive to prospective buyers and potentially increase its perceived value. The upgrades can also make your home more enjoyable to live in, no matter how long you’re there. High-impact upgrades include freshening up the front door and mailbox, adding or improving the landscaping, upgrading windows and shutters, adding outdoor lighting, and making necessary repairs to the roof. One way to afford these changes is to take out a home improvement loan.
Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.
FAQ
How can I make the outside of my house more appealing?
A few ways to improve your home’s curb appeal include painting your front door, adding window boxes, and landscaping your property.
How can I add curb appeal cheaply?
Some less expensive ways to add curb appeal are to plant flowers in front of your home or in window boxes, power-wash your home, and repaint your front door in a bold color or black. Some of these moves are DIY-able, which can help you save money, too.
What adds curb appeal quickly?
One of the fastest ways to add curb appeal is to repaint your front door (perhaps in a vivid color or black), upgrading your mailbox and house numbers, and adding new lighting near your front door.
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