Curb appeal quick picks
Window box: Grandin Road Nantucket Easy-Care Window Planter
Privacy trees: Fast Growing Trees Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae
Statement lighting: Norwell Lighting Capture Solid Brass Outdoor Wall Sconce
Eye-catching door upgrade: Rejuvenation Lion Door Knocker
Wall-mounted mailbox: Pottery Barn Envelope Mailbox
Real estate aficionados know one thing to be true right now: The market is hot, hot, hot. And that’s exactly why sellers should be sprucing up their homes for potential buyers with these ideas to improve curb appeal. “Curb appeal is quite important, as it sets the tone,” says real estate expert John Gomes of the Eklund Gomes team at Douglas Elliman Real Estate. “For sellers, it’s time to start thinking about a fresh coat of paint on the front door. Let’s just say that a new mailbox and some beautiful green shrubs go a long way.”
To help you discover easy ways to boost your curb appeal, we tapped several real estate and design experts —?including Chip and Joanna Gaines! —?for their tips and tricks.
What is curb appeal?
While Joanna Gaines may be known as the creator of the oh-so-famous farmhouse-chic interior design trend, the Magnolia Home co-founder is quick to note how a home’s exterior is equally (if not more) important. “To me, curb appeal is the first impression of a house — that beautiful exhale moment of feeling, ‘I’m home,’” Joanna Gaines tells CNN Underscored in an exclusive interview. “And I really do care about the first impression. Think of ‘Fixer Upper’: One of my favorite things was that the dramatic reveal at the end of each episode was focused solely on the home’s exterior. It was such a ‘ta-da’ moment. We didn’t do that for the kitchen or the primary bedroom.”
If we were to dole out a curb appeal crown, it just might go to award-winning architect Patrick Ahearn. “Curb appeal is a warm sense of welcome a house gives from the street — and it’s not dependent on just one element in particular,” he says. “It’s a combination of good architecture, design details and landscape. It’s the feeling that comes from layers of information working in harmony together.”
Why is curb appeal worth investing in?
The real estate agents we spoke with unanimously agreed that curb appeal should be a top priority for sellers, whether they’re looking to offload a beach bungalow in California or a split-level home in New Jersey. “Curb appeal is important in every price range and in every market,” says Michaela Keszler, Douglas Elliman’s number-one agent in the Hamptons. “The home’s exterior is going to be the first impression a potential buyer gets from the home and how they feel towards it. The exterior should be inviting and should make a potential buyer excited about entering the house.”
Magnolia Home co-founder Chip Gaines agrees that curb appeal is just as important as what’s inside. “If I can’t get a realtor out of the car to come look at the house, well, then it doesn’t matter how great Jo’s interior looks,” he says. “You can never go wrong when you invest [in] the exterior because it’s always going to add value to your home.”
How to boost your home’s curb appeal
Invest in siding
When it comes to curb appeal, the Gaineses’ first focus is always siding. The couple has collaborated with home solutions brand James Hardie and even created their own bespoke line of earthy, farmhouse-friendly colors. “Exterior siding is not one of the places that we encourage clients to find a discount product or a lower quality option,” Chip Gaines says. “With Hardie siding, you can rest assured that decades later you’re still in good hands. It’s a long-term investment when compared to, say, painting, but with that you’ll have to maintain, redo or modify it every three to five years, which, believe me, is going to cost more in the long run.”
Add greenery
Next up: all things green. “Plants and landscaping are the most typical solution to curb appeal dilemmas,” says James DeSantis, founder and owner of Manscapers NY & LA and co-author of “Take It Outside: A Guide to Designing Beautiful Spaces Just Beyond Your Door.” “For example, I own a house on a busy through street in the country in upstate New York, and instead of installing a solid wood fence to help with traffic, I densely planted tall shrubs (arborvitae) to create a sound and light barrier.”
But even if you don’t live on a busy street, you can still take advantage of the curb appeal that greenery adds. “If you don’t have to create privacy, you should still be thinking about creating a more dynamic planting scheme — installing tall trees, meandering shrubs and pops of color throughout, which will go a long way in accentuating the home and creating a landscape that truly gives curb appeal a new meaning,” DeSantis adds.
Upgrade exterior elements
For Ahearn, it’s all about a uniform presentation. “On traditional homes, we consider exterior elements that together can have a very big impact — like covering the foundation in brick or stone, upgrading all windows to be appropriate to the character of the house, adding copper gutters, operable shutters with proper holdbacks and window boxes,” Ahearn says. “Lighting and landscaping are also incredibly important and can’t be overlooked. It’s not just one of these pieces; it’s a situation where the whole of these all together is far greater than the sum of the parts.”
Budget-friendly ideas
Budget constraints might make bigger home investments — like a new roof or windows — tough, but fear not: Impactful updates can be done on the cheap (or even for free!). For example, Keszler recommends cleaning your windows and gutters. Ahearn has a few other suggestions: “To quickly boost curb appeal, I would recommend trimming or shaping any plant material that may be in front of the home. A glossy front door with neatly polished hardware helps the cause, as does lighting the front door with a fixture that fits the theme of the home and painting exterior doors, shutters and window boxes a uniform color.”
Keep reading to find plenty of products that are sure to boost your property’s curb appeal, from low-cost purchases like furniture and decor to big-budget investments like front doors.
Landscaping ideas
Beloved for its ability to grow tall — like, up to 50 feet high! — incredibly fast, the Thuja provides a dense, dark-green screen of privacy, especially when clustered. The green giants are also adaptable and super easy to grow. “By installing a perimeter of tall plantings, you can create a courtyard effect that employs a beautiful entry and reveal behind it,” DeSantis says.
Add some structure to flower beds and gardens with these faux rocks. Available in a few gray hues as well as brown, each rock comes with anchoring stakes. The kits are available in 15-, 60- and 90-foot options.
Every house needs some low-maintenance shrubbery out front, and boxwoods are always a good choice due to their evergreen nature (aka they stay green year-round). Boxwoods are customizable too: You can manicure them for a structured, more traditional look or let them grow wild for a natural visage.
Planters are a great way to add texture and color to outdoor areas of your home. They can flank your front door or stairs, for example, or rest in the corner of a porch. This weatherproof option comes in four colors and two sizes, and it includes a handy removable shelf and an optional drainage hole.
Got a black thumb? Faux plants are more realistic than ever, and these boxwood balls from Frontgate look just like the real thing. Perfect for placing atop planters, the balls come in three sizes and are UV-protected and weatherproof.?
If the green giants at the top of this list were to have a fancy slightly more polished European cousin, it would be these Emerald Green Arborvitae. Similar in that they provide a dense wall of privacy, these plants are cold weather friendly and can reach a mature height of 15 feet.?
Can't afford to build out a bluestone walkway? These stepping stones are a great alternative and they’re as charming as they are functional. Available in Beige Limestone and Slate Grey, each resin stone includes 4-inch stakes that ensure the walkway won't slip or slide around.?
If Frontgate were to have a viral product, this would be it. With more than 1,000 5-star reviews, this retractable hose reel is the solution to your current unsightly hose situation. Capable of storing a 100-foot hose, the reel automatically retracts when you pull on it, and it can swivel 180 degrees, folding flat against a wall when not in use..?
Known for adding instant charm to your home’s exterior, window boxes are one of Ahearn’s must-haves because they inject seasonal color and texture, brightening and warming your home’s exterior. We love these durable polyethylene resin planters because they are super easy to clean and are resistant to chipping, cracking and peeling. The planters have integrated water reservoirs that distribute water evenly and prevent overwatering, which is especially helpful if they’re located on a second or third floor.
Lighting ideas
The Home Depot has a plethora of affordable outdoor lighting options, and that includes this Hampton Bay low-voltage spotlight, which is ideal for uplighting your home’s facade, shrubbery or trees. We love that the lamp head is easy to adjust and that you can toggle between three light temperatures (warm white, soft white or daylight). Plus, it’s backed by a five-year warranty.?
All our experts agreed that updating your home's dated exterior lighting is an easy and affordable way to boost curb appeal. We love the minimalist, modern vibe of these Capture sconces that come in three sizes, making it easy to implement the same silhouette in multiple areas around your home (like the entry, walkway and backyard). Bonus: The rectangular shape and brass-and-glass combo have a timeless look, meaning you won’t have to update them again for years to come.
Landscape lighting is an easy way to make the front (and back) of your house look like a million bucks at night, and these lights give off immediate 5-star resort vibes. With a bright, full glow ideal for walkways, the hooded lights come in three finishes and are so subdued that they fade into the background during daylight hours.?
If you need outdoor sconces that are chic and low profile, the Lombard fits the bill. We love the modern spin on the age-old lantern and that the fixture comes in five finishes and multiple coordinating formats, like an entry flush mount and pendant.?
Decor ideas
Yes, its beautiful geometric design is easy on the eyes, but this doormat is a score for us because of its ingenious design. Hundreds of thick rubber bristles scrape muddy shoes and trap dirt, while the vented channels allow water to drain and evaporate easily, making soggy, moldy mats a thing of the past.
Never underestimate the impact updating your front door hardware can have — and this set from luxe brand Emtek will get the job done. Emtek’s Melrose ranks among our favorites because of its timeless design and sturdy facade. The interior knob can also be swapped for 10 other options (think modern levers or traditional rosette-bedecked knobs), and the backset, keying and latch type are also customizable.
Sometimes a little pomp and circumstance is needed, and if that’s the case, look no further than this stately door knocker that gives off “Bridgerton” vibes. Functional too, the solid brass knocker comes in three finishes that will match any door color or style.
Attractive enough for your front porch, this Polywood console is among our favorites because of its three-fold functionality. For one, it can store all the things, from outdoor cushions to toys to extra seating. Secondly, its expansive tabletop can act just like an indoor console, making it appropriate for showcasing outdoor decor. And finally, it’s also a bench for butts in need of a seat, making it well worth the investment in our opinion. Want to spend less? Check out the brand’s other chic console that comes in at just under 500 bucks.
If your mailbox is older than you, it’s time for a refresh. We love Pottery Barn’s very literal take with this Envelope Mailbox. Installed flush against a wall, the iron mailbox doesn’t take up a lot of space and has an antique bronze finish that will complement pretty much any style of home.
Set a stately tone with this personalized address plaque from Grandin Road. Available in three hues (white, black and bronze), the sand-cast aluminum sign is rust- and fade-resistant and coated in an all-weather finish. It’ll make your address so much easier to spot.
Rocking chairs are always going to score a curb appeal touchdown, and we love the all-weather options from Trex Outdoor Furniture. Made from HDPE lumber — which looks just like wood but won’t crack, chip, peel, splinter or absorb moisture — the rocker has a comfy contoured seat, comes in seven colors and can be outfitted with a seat cushion for an extra $49.?
If a passerby is squinting from the street to see your house number, that’s a sure sign it’s time for something a bit larger. We love all Rejuvenation’s modern house-number styles, especially the classic serif font of the Traditional collection, which is pin-mounted and easy enough for a DIY install.?
Long-term investments
Pretty much every expert we spoke with for this story agreed that the front door is the focal point of a home’s exterior, and as such, it’s worth upgrading. If your current door needs more than a coat of paint, consider investing in one of the fiberglass doors from Jeld-Wen, which start at $409. Jeld-Wen’s dent- and rust-resistant fiberglass is much more durable and requires far less maintenance than the wood doors of yore. We love this Design Pro option because it’s ultra customizable. You can choose everything from the color and door style to the glass design, inswing, hinge finish and jamb depth.?
Redoing your siding is a big upfront cost, but according to the Gaineses, it’s a worthwhile investment. “This is a product we’ve been using for 20 years; we believe in it because Hardie is always going to stand the test of time,” Joanna Gaines says. Crafted from fiber cement boards that don’t chip, peel or fade, the siding comes in multiple styles (plank, panel, shingle/shake board and batten) that can be used solo or combined to create your very own bespoke look. You can peruse the James Hardie website for loads of inspo and order a sample (or all 16!) of Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Collection hues, which she personally curated.
A rotting, splintering front porch will have potential drivers making a U-turn in your driveway. Consider refinishing the space (for the last and final time!) with a cement board alternative. “Trex is a great product,” says DeSantis, who recently installed an entire backyard deck of the Lineage decking in the Carmel color. “It’s a composite that is made from wood dust and plastic, and is super-low maintenance, sustainable and easy to clean. It’s more difficult to install than wood, so the labor and material cost is higher — but you never need to paint it or maintain it, you don’t need to stain it, etc., so the yearly investment is super low.” Plus, the product deters termites and comes in a slew of colors, from dark brown to light gray and everything in between.
Follow Ahearn’s sage advice and install shutters that can be painted to match your front door — or purchase shutters in one of Builders Edge’s 16 colors that never chip or peel. Available in 14 heights and two widths, the vinyl shutters won’t fade, are easy to install and come with color-matched hardware.?
