Curb appeal is very important when it comes to housing. Beautiful exterior of the house is the first thing people see when they come to visit or look at a house.
But if your home needs some work or upgrades, the cost can add up – unless you’re using these affordable hacks.
From your garage to your front door – these ideas are genius. Here are 50+ low-cost, simple, and creative DIY ways to instantly give your home a facelift.
1. Upgrade columns with stone veneer
Boring wood or metal columns can instantly be upgraded by using a stone veneer that wraps around them. The DIY Network has a fun, affordable tutorial on how to create this gorgeous look on your own. It’s much easier than you’d think!
2) Get a fancy door knocker
Is that the home of a famous rapper? Nope, it’s you! Make your house look like ballers live there by buying a fancy door knocker for $25 and up. You can buy a lower end one and spray paint it to look more expensive.
3. DIY solar lighted walkway
How many people do you know that have a solar-powered lighted walkway that they built themselves? Probably not many. Building these colored blocks for your walkway might seem like a difficult task, but Instructables has an easy tutorial to follow.
4) Install Porch Lights
Funky porch lights can really make a statement on your home. It also offers a nice safety feature.
5. Fancy planters
Transform two ordinary pots into beautiful planters by flipping one upside down and gluing or cementing another pot, upright, on top. They look elegant, beautiful, and they are perfect for lining a walkway or a front patio. Plus, you can find inexpensive terra cotta pots and paint them whatever color you’d like.
6) Layer your plants
Add dimension to the front of your home by layering plants. You should mix and match to add some texture and color.
7) Wood Stain Your Garage Door
If your garage door is looking a little beat up you can give it a makeover. Wood staining your aluminum garage door will give it a rustic feel. You can also paint it a pretty color to make it stand out.
8. Build a pergola over your garage
Bring the Italian countryside to your home by creating a pergola over your garage doors and adding some climbing plants or vines. Head over to the My Weeds Are Very Sorry blog for a full tutorial on how to easily build your own with a quick trip to the hardware store. Your neighbors’ heads will turn.
9) Faux Stair Runner
If your stairs are shot, give them a new coat of paint. You can also create a unique focal point by painting a faux runner.
10. Spout run-off river
Where do your water run-off spouts go when it rains? Into a rainwater collector or onto your lawn and yard? Why not transform it into a beautiful stone river bed? Just dig out a trench from your spout leading to a drainage area, and line it with river rock.
11. Car wheel hose reel
Repurpose an old car wheel and turn it into a unique way to store your hose. No need to spend a lot of money on this project, just visit a u-pull yard to search for the perfect fit for your yard and hang with simple hardware.
12) Paint your front door
Painting your front door adds a lively pop of color that draws the eye to your home. It gives off a modern and inviting feel. Get details on painting your front door here.
13) Modernize your house number
Changing your house numbers to more modernized looking one goes a long way. It makes you look like you put money into upgrades. It also makes your home appear newer.
14. Spray paint unsightly vinyl gutters
Old, dirty vinyl or metal gutters don’t really turn heads when people are walking by. Make this small detail of your home stand out by spray painting them with a metallic or hammered spray paint. A can cost less than $10.
15. Lay a brick path
Lots of homes tend to opt for a standard concrete path, but wouldn’t red bricks be so gorgeous? Luckily, bricks are inexpensive, and so are the other supplies needed to build a beautiful brick path to your home. Then, all you’ll need is a little elbow grease! Head to This Old House for the full tutorial.
16) Cover exposed foundation
Exposed foundation can look sloppy. Make it look nice and neat by covering it with faux panels.
17. Build a picket fence
If building this is your strong suit, this is a fun weekend project that will completely transform the look of your front yard. True Value has a tutorial that teaches you how to build your own picket fence in just six steps. Head to their website to find out how.
18) Makeover Your Mailbox
Mailboxes can look plain and kinda ugly. Give it a classy new look with some stone pieces, a coat of paint, or add some planters.
19) Upgrade your welcome mat
Door mats can get pretty ratty over time. A new modernized welcome mat will be much more inviting.
20. Install a lattice around your porch
Adding a simple lattice that wraps around your front porch is a lovely way to disguise the crawl space underneath. Dagmar Bleasdale has a really easy-to-follow tutorial on how to create your own.
21. Add molding to your front door
It’s incredible what a little molding and paint can do for a front door. Not to mention, this project can be completed in just a few hours. The Jilly and Mia blog did this fun project at their house and shared their step-by-step instructions.
22) Add Faux Shutters
Need to add some character to your home? Install some faux shutters.
23. Hide your air conditioner
A/C units might be one of the ugliest things that we have outside of our house, and it seems like they’re always in plain sight of the street. Help hide your unsightly air conditioner by planting a few bushes, shrubs, or flowers around it. Spirals and Spatulas bought these oleanders for just $6 each.
24. Marble fence cutouts
Take a boring wooden fence and make it a magical art piece in your yard with this fun project. Garden Drama created this colorful project and shared the details on their blog. The best part is that it just costs a little time a few bucks.
25) Paint your door knobs
Doorknobs can get beat up pretty quickly. Make them look new by giving them a coat of spray paint. It gives your knobs a more upscale look.
26. DIY porch swing
If you have a front porch, it simply won’t be complete until you have a front porch. Buying a pre-built porch swing can be costly, but if you build it yourself, it will be just a fraction of that total. Simply Designing has a surprisingly simple tutorial on how to make your own.
27. Faux garage windows
Upgrade your garage by adding windows – but don’t fret, you don’t have to install them or purchase a brand new garage door, just paint them on! Using a little tape and some black paint, you can give the illusion of windows for just a few bucks.
28. Create colorful flower beds around trees
Create a vibrant pop of color in your front yard by making a flower bed at the base of trees and planting vividly-colored flowers and plants. Head to The Home Depot where you can find flowers for just a couple dollars. Not to mention, gardening is a great way to spend a sunny day.
29. Stenciled house numbers
Instead of a traditional look of having your house number on the side of your home or a column, try this beautiful idea. Create your own stencils using paper in thick stock, then paint the numbers on a planter pot sitting on your front patio. So simple, so eye-catching.
30. Address post with hanger
Many houses have their address number printed on the side of their home, but if your house sits back from the street, or you have a long driveway, the numbers might be hard to see. Create a beautiful way to show off flowers while elegantly displaying your address with this DIY address post. Head to Hello Farmhouse for the tutorial.
31. Add brick edging
Adding just a simple brick edge to your flower bed or walkway can be a major improvement to the curb appeal of your home. The best part? Bricks are so inexpensive! You can pick up a bunch of them, averaging less than $0.50 each.
32. Hide your garbage cans
City garbage cans aren’t exactly the most attractive looking things on the planet. Luckily, you can hide them with a simple enclosure. Head to the hardware store for lumber and supplies to build your own, or purchase one that is already manufactured.
33) Camouflage Electrical Boxes
Electrical boxes are unsightly and stick out like a sore thumb. Paint them so they blend in with your house.
34. Add window box planters
Adding window boxes to your home is a classic way to instantly boost your curb appeal. The Rehab Life has a fun tutorial for you to create your own for just $20. It really doesn’t get better (or cheaper!) than that.
35) Pressure Wash Everything
Pressure washing the outside of your home makes an enormous difference. Just be careful if you’re doing it on wood because it can splinter.
36. Brick tree ring
Once again, inexpensive bricks are coming to your curb appeal rescue! Using bricks and a bit of mulch, you can add tree rings around the trunks of the trees in your front yard. It’s fine details like this that can be so eye-catching.
37. Stain your concrete
Did you know that you can stain your concrete? You can! And it’s so easy and inexpensive! For around just $25you can find a can of concrete stain and create beautiful patterns on your front walkway or entryway. Such an easy way to upgrade your home.
38) Kill Creeping Weeds
Get rid of weeds that creep up between your concrete areas. You can get the ingredients for a DIY weed killing spray here.
39) Fix Torn Screens
Torn screens just look sloppy. Fixing them makes your home much more attractive and prevents bugs from sneaking in.
40. Pallet wood porch
If you have a concrete porch that’s lacking in character, you can give that look a 180 by creating a pallet wood deck right on top. Redo Redux came up with this beautiful project and thankfully, they put it all in a tutorial on their website.
41. Give your lawn some TLC
It’s amazing how beautiful a home can be with just some simple yard maintenance. Mowing the lawn, raking the leaves, and giving your yard some regularly scheduled TLC can make a massive difference in your home’s curb appeal. Don’t have the time? Hire a local teen to come over and mow it for you!
42. Aim for symmetry
Symmetrical designs are pleasing to the eye. To make your home turn heads from the curb, hang some symmetrical planters or lights. No room? Place potted plants in a symmetrical way along your walking path or near your front door.
43. Replace your hardware
Give the exterior of your home a major upgrade by simply replacing the hardware of your front door. The hinges on your door, the doorknob, deadbolts, a knocker, etc., all of these things can look dingy and dirty over time. Replace them and your home will take on a whole new look.
44. Hang wreaths
Wreaths aren’t just for the winter holidays, they can be beautiful pieces of decor during any season, any holiday, any time of the year. Give your home a pop of decor by hanging wreaths on your door or your siding.
45. Lighting! Lighting! Lighting!
It’s incredible how much of an impact just a little bit of lighting can have on your home’s appearance. Pick out some light fixtures to line your walkway or near your mailbox. Get creative! They can be as subtle or as attention-grabbing as you’d like.
46. Hide your mailbox post
“Mailboxes should complement the home and express the homeowner’s personality. When choosing a hanging drop box, pick a box that mirrors your home’s trimmings. Dress up mailboxes for curb appeal by painting the wooden post to match the house’s exterior color, or by surrounding it by a beautiful flowering garden,” says Better Homes and Gardens.
47. Install an arbor
Enhance your home’s curb appeal and make your home feel as welcoming as ever by adding an arbor or garden fencing in your front yard. Head to your hardware store to find them in DIY kits or just buy the prefab sections and build it yourself! Match the stain with the stain on your home’s trim.
48. Install an arbor
Enhance your home’s curb appeal and make your home feel as welcoming as ever by adding an arbor or garden fencing in your front yard. Head to your hardware store to find them in DIY kits or just buy the prefab sections and build it yourself! Match the stain with the stain on your home’s trim.
49. Try fountains or yard art
Fountains and art can be a great way to beautify the exterior of your home and yard. Take advantage of the space on your front deck or porch, as well as your yard, and install art or fountains that complement your home’s style.
50. Tile your doorstep
Better Homes and Gardens says, “Create a permanent welcome mat by tiling or painting a design that contrasts with the porch floor or front stoop. Not only will you not have to worry about replacing the mat when it gets ratty, but you can impress your visitors with your creativity.”
51. Spruce up your driveway
When giving your home a facelift, the driveway is often an overlooked area, even though it makes up a good portion of the front of your home! Consider fixing your driveway’s cracks, staining the concrete, or adding flagstones.
52. Replace your railings
If your home happens to have railings going up entryway stairs or on the front porch, you can completely upgrade your home’s curb appeal by replacing them. Whether it’s rustic, farmhouse style or chic modern metal, railings can make a big statement.
53. Get rid of junk
Here’s a quick and easy way to instantly spruce up the exterior of your home – clean up the junk! Get rid of old cars, unused furniture or decor, empty planters, or anything else that just adds clutter and creates an eyesore.
54. Add porch curtains
“Accent your porch with curtains to give the front of your house a dramatic look that will create an outdoor private hideaway. The addition of curtains, will make your front porch an extension of the interiors, giving off a warm and welcoming vibe,” says DIY Network.
55. Move the mailbox to the front door
If your freestanding mailbox in the front yard is just too bulky for your taste, take it down and opt for a wall-hanging mailbox near the front door. Now, your front yard has more space for flowers or sod.
