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12 Best Curb Appeal Ideas for Any Budget

Whether you're putting your house on the market soon or simply want to make the exterior as beautiful and welcoming as possible, follow these simple guidelines for adding curb appeal to your home.

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Shutters

If it isn’t in your budget to replace the windows, try adding shutters instead. It’s much more affordable, helps to give the illusion of larger windows, and you can do it yourself. Salvage shops are a great place to look for gently used shutters that you can refinish with paint in your home’s accent color.

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outdoor lightingFamily Handyman

Outdoor Lighting

Illuminating the pathways and entrances to your home promotes safety and security. Potential homebuyers appreciate that. It also looks amazing in the evening and early morning. Solar lights are a good option for their efficiency and low maintenance. Another option: Installing low-voltage lighting.

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3-Season Planter BoxFamily Handyman

Planter Boxes

Potted plants and hanging planters are a simple and inexpensive way to add a lot of color to the front of your house. You can also change out the plants with each season for even more variety in color and texture.

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Concrete Sidewalk kids roller blading playing outside concrete walkway cost, cost of sidewalkFamily Handyman

Inviting Walkway

A clear path from the street or driveway to the front entry is paramount in creating a welcoming atmosphere for potential homebuyers or guests. Possibilities are endless for shape, material and more.

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weeds in flower bedsMileniumphoto/Shutterstock

Flower Beds

Flower beds introduce different textures and colors to your front yard. Pay attention to shaded and full-sun areas and plant accordingly. Also, boulders, birdbaths and other hard-surface elements add contrast to flower beds.

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christmas front doorLaurie Rubin/Getty Images

Symmetry

Creating a symmetrical look around a home’s front entrance is pleasing to the eye. Adding identical planters and wicker chairs on either side of the front door gives this home a balanced, all-is-right-in-the-word vibe.

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Well-Groomed Lawn

The condition of your lawn can give a good or bad impression to potential homebuyers before they even set foot inside the home.

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Garage Door/Driveway

It’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do for your garage door. Touch up the trim paint, add stylish light fixtures and new hardware and get instant curb appeal. Take it a step further and upgrade your driveway for an even greater impact.

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window with shutters and window boxgoldenjack/shutterstock

Window Boxes

Simple wood window boxes brimming with colorful flowers can add instant charm to a home. Coordinate the color of the box and the flowers with your home’s other exterior colors for a polished, well-thought-out curb appeal plan.

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Ceiling Fan Front PorchJohn Wollwerth/Shutterstock

Entryway Furniture

Welcome visitors to your front door with comfortable chairs, side tables and other furniture pieces that encourage relaxation. Maybe try building a DIY porch swing, perfect for enjoying summer evenings.

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Lime Green Front Door with Matching ChairDavid Papazian/Shutterstock

Colorful Front Door

Painting your front door is possibly the simplest yet most effective curb appeal upgrade that you can do yourself. Choose a contrasting color for the biggest impact and give your home instant pizazz.

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curb appealArtazum/Shutterstock

Exterior Paint Color

A bold and fun exterior paint color can breathe life into a home. This sky-blue home looks fresh and charming set within tall green trees and flowering shrubs.