Improving your curb appeal is a great investment, whether you want a more inviting home or need to impress potential buyers. You don’t need a big budget, a ton of time, or extensive skills. Just a few simple changes and a weekend’s work can make a big impact on the look and feel of your home. 

    Read on for three easy yet powerful ways to enhance your property.


    1. Patch All Cracks

    Concrete cracks not only detract from your home’s curb appeal but can also lead to bigger problems if left untreated. Concrete cracks for many reasons, including ground shifting, freeze and thaw cycles, or improper installation, to name a few.

    If cracks are not sealed, water can worsen the cracks over time. Excess moisture can cause underlying rebar to rust and expand, leading to wider cracks, uneven surfaces, and potential trip hazards. 

    Rather than ripping up and replacing your entire concrete slab, resurfacing is a budget-friendly way to restore the look of cracked or damaged concrete.  For hairline cracks, clean the surface thoroughly with a pressure washer. After using duct tape to protect the slab joints, apply a concrete crack sealant according to the product instructions. 

    To repair extensive concrete cracks, products like Quikrete Re-Cap Concrete Resurfacer provide an easy DIY solution. After pressure washing the surface, apply Re-Cap with a squeegee, trowel, or brush. You can create a textured finish to help prevent slips and falls. Re-Cap dries fast, so you can begin using your driveway again in as little as four hours. 

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    2. Steady the Mailbox

    A leaning, wobbly mailbox gives guests a bad first impression.  It can also make mail delivery difficult, or, in the worst-case scenario, cause injury. The most common reason mailboxes loosen over time is that they lack a proper foundation. 

    Stabilizing and repairing your mailbox is an easy DIY project that only takes a few hours. Here’s how to do it:

    1. Dig a hole 3 times the width of the mailbox post and about half its height.
    2. Add 6 inches of gravel to the hole and compact it down.
    3. Insert the post and attach braces to hold it plumb. Check that the post is perfectly vertical.
    4. Fill the hole with concrete up to 3 inches below grade.
    5. Pour a gallon of water into the hole and let the concrete cure.

    It only takes a small amount of time upfront to properly stabilize your mailbox. This simple project can give your home’s exterior an orderly, welcoming look for years to come.


    3. Paint Everything

    A fresh coat of paint works wonders to give your home a whole new look with minimal effort. You can upgrade your home’s entire exterior with some prep work and painting over the course of a weekend. 

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    If your siding has become dingy, faded, or streaked, power washing is the first step.  Be sure to remove any mildew as well. Other parts of prepping your home’s exterior for painting include sanding, priming, and taping to make sure the new paint adheres well and lasts. Rushing into painting without proper prep will lead to peeling, chipping, and wasted time and money. 

    You can rent an airless paint sprayer from your local home improvement store to make your painting job much easier. Sprayers can cost between $70–$100 per day to rent. . Oil or acrylic latex paint is usually best for exteriors.  If you are looking to paint your shutters, you can use the same paint. To paint plastic shutters, you can use exterior acrylic latex paint specially formatted for plastics to improve durability. 

    To paint your front door, start by removing the hardware and taking the door off its hinges. You can then place the door on sawhorses to prep and paint it with oil-based enamel or exterior-rated latex paint.  This allows you to access both sides and all edges comfortably. 

    Your exterior light fixtures may also benefit from a refresh. Remove the bulbs and disconnect the power supply first. Then cover all nearby surfaces with painter’s tape before spraying the fixture with spray paint formulated for metal.. 

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    So, Is Improving Curb Appeal Worth the Investment?

    I have found that taking on a few projects to boost curb appeal is worth it for the joy of enhancing your home’s exterior. The increase in your home’s value is an added perk.

    Excellent curb appeal is even more critical if you are preparing to sell your home. Curb appeal helps make that vital first impression, which can grab a potential buyer’s interest. In fact, the attractiveness of a home’s exterior can boost its value by 7% or more. 

    Investing in your home’s curb appeal pays you back many times over. The small up-front cost boosts your home’s perceived value and marketability. And you get to enjoy the aesthetic benefits day after day. With a few strategic touch-ups completed over a weekend or two, you can utterly transform your home’s exterior.


    FAQs About Improving Curb Appeal

    What are some low-cost ways to improve curb appeal?

    Some easy DIY upgrades to quickly boost curb appeal include:

    • Painting an exterior door and shutters
    • Adding modern house numbers to the front facade
    • Placing potted plants near the entryway
    • Washing exterior walls with a pressure washer
    • Adding new accent lighting or fixtures
    • Repainting the mailbox post or installing a new mailbox
    • Laying fresh mulch or gravel along the entry walkway
    • Removing any yard clutter or debris

    Many of these projects can be completed over the course of a few hours, with minimal impact on your budget.


    How much does it cost to improve curb appeal?

    Many curb appeal upgrades are surprisingly affordable DIY solutions. For example, hiring a professional to install a new front door costs an average of $1,200. The labor savings of doing this project yourself are significant. New modern house numbers cost as little as $25. A fresh coat of paint on siding or trim can make a big impact for $1.50–$5.00 per linear foot. More extensive projects like new landscaping, paver walkways, or exterior lighting add more to the budget but significantly boost perceived value.


    How long does it take to increase curb appeal?

    Simple DIY improvements like house numbers or a coat of paint take just an afternoon. More complex projects could take several weeks or months, but they can be done in phases. Larger projects like landscaping will require a significant amount of time to plan and execute. However, these projects are a great way to boost the value of your home and are well worth the wait.


    What small change makes the biggest visual impact?

    Fresh landscaping with plants, trees, lighting, and clearly defined beds makes one of the biggest differences in curb appeal. Painting the front door a bold, modern color also draws the eye to your home.


    Should I update my home's exterior even if I'm not selling soon?

    Absolutely! Good curb appeal adds joy and pride of ownership whether you plan to live in your home for another five years or fifty. A well-maintained exterior also boosts your home’s value and marketability when you eventually do sell. So improving ‌curb appeal is never a wasted effort.


    Editorial Contributors
    avatar for Nikki Stavile

    Nikki Stavile

    Nikki Stavile is a writer based in Tucson, Arizona. As an avid backpacker and passionate environmentalist, her work often focuses on sustainable movements at the personal and societal level.

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    Casey Daniel

    Casey Daniel is a writer and editor with a passion for empowering readers to improve their homes and their lives. She has written and reviewed content across multiple topics, including home improvement, lawn and garden care, sustainability, and health and wellness. When she’s not reviewing articles, Casey is usually playing board games, repainting her bathroom, or quilting.

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