Best on the Block

Best on the Block: How To Create Curb Appeal

Spring is in the air, so it's time to give your home an exterior makeover and add curb appeal. A few simple tricks can help boost your home's profile, and ensure visitors get a good first impression when they arrive on your doorstep.

Make a statement with your front door:

Your front door is one of the first things people notice about your home. Is your door drab, drafty or just plain past its prime? Make a bold statement and improve your home's energy efficiency with a new Energy Star–qualified front door. Consider options with decorative glass accents and stunning sidelights to add more natural light while maintaining a sense of style and privacy.

"Finding entry doors that feature stylish options in a variety of popular materials from wood to fiberglass and steel options is easy, and the real beauty is in their performance," says Kathy Krafka Harkema of Pella Windows and Doors. "When replacing your old front door, choose from one that accents your home's style, with high–performance features that help keep out air and water, and low–maintenance convenience like durable prefinished options with coordinating trim."

Accessorize with new hardware:

Replace your front door hardware for a quick, easy facelift. Choose hardware finishes consistent with those of your home's light fixtures, mailbox and house numbers to maintain a polished, cohesive look. You'll be surprised what a difference new hardware on your front door can make in creating a positive look and feel.

Refresh exterior and trim colors:

Now's also a good time to add a new storm door to help keep out the elements, or to add a refreshing coat of paint on your existing exterior doors for a fresh look.

For a dramatic change, repaint your home's exterior. You can also change trim color to refresh your home's exterior impact. When updating trim, choose color schemes that match your home's primary exterior color, or complement it with a fresh twist.

Accent with lighting:

For nighttime curb appeal and safety, add a row of exterior accent lighting to illuminate a walking path with ground–insert solar lights. Or consider solar spotlights to bring out landscaping or architectural focal points. Install new matching light fixtures outside your front door, garage door or patio door to create an inviting feel and provide well–lit doorways to greet you and visiting neighbors and guests.

Create points of interest with plants:

Add pops of color by arranging potted plants around your front door, or on a porch or deck. Incorporate planters or container gardens of varied sizes, shapes and colors to add visual interest. Also, planting flowerbeds along driveways and walkways gives your home a softer, more inviting feel.