While any realtor will tell you curb appeal is vital when it comes to selling your home, there’s no need to wait until you are ready to sell to consider a refresh. Why not spruce things up now and give yourself a sense of delight when you pull in your own drive?
Begin literally at the curb—or as close as you can get to the street safely. Try to look at your home as objectively as you can. Take a photo if that helps. Are the bushes overgrown? Is the paint faded or chipped? Is there any sense your family’s personality is visible?
When you’re ready to roll, here are fourteen tips to help you get the transformation underway. Some of them are relatively inexpensive, while others skew to a more costly side, but whatever your ambition or budget dictate, even some of the simplest suggestions will add a bit of pizazz to your place.
Set the stage
A welcoming and colorful front setting increases a home’s visual appeal and perceived value. Make a positive first impression with strategically placed plantings. Consider creating a strong focal point, with a grouping of flower-filled containers, a sculpture or a fountain.
EXPERT TIP: How do you make an entry more interesting? Give visitors clear cues which door is the main entry, but don’t just pave a highway right to that door. —Dave Swearingen, The Site Group
Planters
It’s hard to beat the appeal of colorful groupings of pots with a mix of evergreens and annuals leading to your front door. Try not to overdo the variety. Choose a couple of hues that contrast with your home’s exterior—avoid pinks for a red brick house, think purples and greens for a white façade. And stick with one or two types of containers.
Window boxes
If you want to add color vertically, consider window boxes. They should be at least 12 inches deep to give plants enough room to grow and have adequate drainage. Window boxes require frequent watering, so be sure you can reach them easily. Keep in mind, you have to maintain the plantings to add curb appeal.
Front door
Typically, all paths, landscaping, lighting and accent pieces lead guests to your front door. Let it reflect your style. If a simple fresh coat of paint is all you need, great. Keep the age and architecture of your home in mind before deciding to go subtle or bold. If your door needs to be replaced, choose a durable, material that is better insulated and requires little or no maintenance.
EXPERT TIP: Fiberglass doors offer the best of both worlds—low maintenance, energy efficiency, and the look of real wood without the issues of warping or denting. — Cody Carden, Cincinnati EntryPoint
EXPERT TIP: A well-chosen and maintained front door can enhance security, energy efficiency, and even the value of a home.—Ian Bowman, D. A. Bowman Custom Homes
Seating area
A conversation spot—with a few chairs or a bench—on your front porch or close to the front of your home creates an inviting look. Its style should be an extension of your home’s interior design. Consider adding color and personality to change with the season.
EXPERT TIP: Less space doesn’t have to equal less style. It’s all about optimizing your area by choosing furniture in proportion with your porch’s size. –June Sedlak Mooney, Studio J
EXPERT TIP: Looks and functionality are not the only considerations when choosing the perfect seating area for your front porch. The material needs to be weather defying, withstanding heavy rain and hot sun, and easy to maintain.
—Ken Tedrick, Watson’s Cincinnati
—Ashley Agnew, Watson’s Dayton
Lighting
Exterior lighting adds nighttime curb appeal by highlighting your home’s best features. Trees, shrubbery, pathways and front doors all shine bright with the appropriate light fixtures—whether that’s floodlights, stake lights, spotlights or sconces. Lights on steps or railings add a layer of safety, as do motion sensors.
EXPERT TIP: Outdoor lighting is a multifaceted investment that not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of a property but also contributes significantly to safety, functionality, and property value. —Doug Mainard, Landscape Lighting Resources
EXPERT TIP: For sidewalks, place stakes 5 to 8 feet apart and about 14 inches off the ground. If you can, alternate lights on opposite sides of the pathway for a more attractive look —Kyle Smith, A&S Lighting Center & Electric Supply, Inc.
Windows
Dirty or chipped windows send signals to guests that a home is not well taken care of. A good scrubbing is an easy way to give your home sparkle. When possible, keep blinds and curtains open to communicate life inside the home. If your windows are not functioning properly—whether they are inoperable, foggy, or leaky—they should be replaced.
EXPERT TIP: Choosing replacement windows with a new color or grille pattern can give your home a refreshed and updated look, taking it from ordinary to extraordinary. —Mack Cappel, S&L Lumber
EXPERT TIP: The size and number of panes in your windows should be in proportion to the size of your house and the wall space. Overly small or large windows can look unbalanced. —Jim Burns, Premiere Home Center
EXPERT TIP: The movement is to large windows and doors. Everything is getting bigger and bigger. Builders are maximizing light as much as possible. —Craig Hyson, Pella Windows & Doors
Walkways
While the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, a curved walkway makes the trip so much more enjoyable. Stamped concrete or any of the many paver options available allow you to choose colors and create patterns that add a whole new dimension to your home’s approach.
EXPERT TIP: Paver brick walkways should be a minimum of three feet wide, but a four-foot-wide path can create an even more gracious entry. —Kristen Hale, Snyder Brick and Block
Landscaping
A tidy lawn with established trees and shrubs goes a long way in creating curb appeal. If you don’t have many trees, consider a few fast growers. Trim any shrubs taller than the base of your windows.
EXPERT TIP: Opening up a front landscape with a courtyard creates a welcoming atmosphere. Adding raised beds with perennials such as coral bells, spirea, and salvia creates a cohesive design. —John Chmiel, Siebenthaler’s
Driveway
Most of our driveways take up a considerable amount of square footage on our property. If it’s just in need of a good cleaning, pressure washing will take it up several notches. If it has cracks and discoloration get it filled and sealed. If the damage is extensive, you might need to have it resurfaced.
EXPERT TIP: Sealing your pavers will keep them looking their best, make it easier for you to keep the weeds out and the sand in the joint. —Mark Rhodus, Perfect Paver Co.
Say welcome
While a simple welcome mat is functional at the front door, take the look up a notch with a larger rug that reflects your style. Selecting the proper look and size will frame the furniture and accessories you have on your front porch, as well as protect the surface.
EXPERT TIP: The most durable outdoor rugs are made of polypropylene, a stain-resistant, water-repellent synthetic material which is woven to be incredibly tough and durable. —Chad Martin, K. A. Menendian Rug & Carpet Gallery
Flooring
We could all use a little less work to do around the house—inside or out. So, by keeping flooring selections as easy to care for as possible, you’ll have more time to enjoy your front porch.
EXPERT TIP: Front porch flooring and railings made from composite material are eco-friendly and durable choices that look like real wood. A major plus is they won’t peel or chip and never need to be sanded or stained! —Adam Zambanini, Trex Company
Front porch
Front porches are making a comeback as homeowners look to channel relaxing days from their childhood. These shady retreats are a great option for cooling off during the summer and connecting with neighbors.
EXPERT TIP: First impressions matter. A striking focal point welcomes guests and boosts curb appeal, making your home stand out with style. —Jason Schell, Custom Outdoor Structures
Garage doors
If your garage doors are broken, or detracting from your home’s appeal, it might be time to replace them. Today, there is a plethora of garage door designs with material choices like glass, steel, wood and aluminum.
EXPERT TIP: Modern garage doors offer beauty and convenience. Choose a design that complements your home and get instant phone alerts when family members come and go. —Monica Lewis, J.S. Brown & Co.
Curb your enthusiasm…
No doubt many of these upgrades may not apply to your home. As with any home improvement—interior or exterior—there’s always a balancing act when deciding between what you want and what will eventually help or hinder the sale of your home. But regardless of whether you are sprucing up for resale, company or your own enjoyment, choose what matters to you most and make your first impression count.
EXPERTS Kyle Smith Vice President A&S Lighting Center & Electric Supply, Inc. a-s-electric.com, Cody Carden Sales Cincinnati EntryPoint upgrademydoor.com, Jason Schell President Custom Outdoor Structures customoutdoorstructures.com, Ian Bowman Owner D.A. Bowman Custom Homes dabowman.com, Monica Lewis President J.S. Brown & Co. jsbrowncompany.com, Chad Martin Owner K.A. Menendian Rug & Carpet Gallery www.karugs.com, Doug Mainard Owner Landscape Lighting Resources landscapelightingresources.com, Craig Hyson Trade and Commercial Sales Manager Pella Windows & Doors of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky pellawindowscincinnati.com, Mark Rhodus Owner Perfect Paver Co. perfectpaverco.com, Jim Burns Sales Consultant Premiere Home Center premierehc.com, Mack Cappel S&L Lumber sllumber.com, John Chmiel Senior Landscape Designer Siebenthaler’s siebenthaler.com, Dave Swearingen Landscape Architect The Site Group sitegrouplandscaping.com, Kristen Hale Inside Sales and Selections Designer Snyder Brick & Block snyderonline.com, June Sedlak Mooney Owner Studio J studiojhome.com, Adam Zambanini Chief Operating Officer Trex Company trex.com, Ken Tedrick VP of Purchasing Watson’s Cincinnati watsons.com, Ashley Agnew Director of Outdoor Furniture Sales Watson’s Dayton watsons.com
Article originally appeared in May 2025