21 spring curb appeal ideas to freshen up your home.

Updated

Whether you want to impress potential buyers or your neighbors, increasing your home's curb appeal is a good idea — especially in the spring. Not only will your home catch others' eyes as they walk and drive by, but improving and maintaining your home can give you peace of mind.

Fortunately, there are many ways you can improve your home’s curb appeal this season.



Boost your home’s curb appeal with these outdoor ideas for spring.

Here's the good news: You don’t need to spend thousands on a major renovation to boost your curb appeal. From your lawn to your front door, there are many ways you can refresh your home this spring — no matter your budget. 

From landscape design ideas to paint colors, check out these spring curb appeal ideas and tips to give your home a brand-new look.

1. A front yard living space? Yes, please.

front yard living roomIn a recent survey, 90% of Americans said that “outdoor living spaces are more valuable than ever before.” With a pandemic driving people to stay inside their homes, it’s easy to see why homeowners and renters want a comfortable, beautiful outdoor living space for relaxation, hosting get-togethers and just overall better functionally. 

The backyard is a great place to create that outdoor oasis — but your front yard may be an even better option — especially for increasing curb appeal. Here are some ways you can transform your front yard for outdoor living:

  • Build a front porch, deck or veranda. Add a traditional porch swing (with pillows), set two swing chairs or a couple of hammocks. Hang a few colorful potted plants from the roof to give you that spring feeling.
  • Install a patio. It can be a concrete patio, a paver patio or even a gravel patio. Afterwards, place a few outdoor chairs and a table for eating and lounging.
  • Create an enclosed front yard lounge. Use privacy hedges or a fence to create an outdoor room at front. If you have a bigger budget, you can also create your own little courtyard outside your front door, complete with a water fountain, dining set and stone walls covered in bougainvillea.

2. Turn your porch into the picture of spring.

spring curb appeal ideas for front porch

Warmer weather means more time you can spend outside enjoying the outdoors. Create a cozy, eye-catching space on your front porch or deck by adding:

  • A small bench near the front door
  • Several comfortable chairs 
  • Decorative pillows
  • A colorful, springtime wreath on your door
  • A new welcome mat
  • Potted plants, including a few with bold, bright flowers

3. Give your flower beds an edge.

flower edge springEdging is a technique that homeowners and landscapers use to make flower beds look neat and more defined. The goal is to create crisp lines between your flower beds and the lawn, but you can also apply edging near your garden, driveway, trees, shrubs and more.

Wood, stone, concrete and brick — you have many options when it comes to landscape edging. Talk to a landscaping professional near you if you need help deciding on a design. 

4. Spread the love with a pollinator garden.

boost curb appeal front yard garden

Not only do pollinator gardens offer a dazzling dash of color to your front yard, they’re great for the environment. Pollinators (butterflies, caterpillars, bees, birds) move pollen from one flower to another, so they’re vital for our environment. You can create a beautiful habitat for these species by growing native plants, wildflowers, perennials and milkweed out front (and reducing your pesticide usage), states the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

5. Add a floral touch to your windows.

window flower box spring

Do you have a favorite potted plant or a type of flower? If so, choose a window box or container, grab your gardening tools, and plant colorful spring annuals and perennials to display under your windows. Or, you can plant succulents and cacti instead. If you need help building or installing your window box, search for a handyman near you.

6. Make your front door fabulous.

spring curb appeal ideas paint front doorThe first thing most people notice before they enter your home is your front door. You can certainly go all out and install a new one. Or, you can paint your front door. Make a dramatic first impression with a vibrant and bold color. Just make sure the color you choose fits well with the rest of your home's color scheme. Some of the trending, spring-friendly front door paint colors include red, blue, yellow and green.

Repainting is a fairly basic project, but the front door is a key focal point of your house's exterior, so you'll want it done right. A house painter can finish the job quickly and professionally. Plus, they can help you pick the best exterior colors and door paint.

Related: House exterior color ideas for front doors & more.

7. Wipe out unwanted weeds in the driveway.
remove driveway weeds

We know that weeds can pop up in gardens and lawns, but did you know they can also appear in sidewalk and driveway cracks? If you notice a few weeds on your property, look into weed killers or more environmentally-friendly methods to remove them. Or, hire a weeding service to take care of all the weeds in your front yard and backyard area.

8. Pressure wash your walkways.

spring curb appeal ideas pressure washRemove dirt and grime from your walkways, brick pavers and sidewalk to instantly give your home’s exterior a cleaner look. You can use a pressure washer, but make sure you use the correct PSI. 

When in doubt, hire a professional pressure washing service. They can also help you clean other outdoor surfaces, including your driveway, garage door, patio, porch, fence and deck. 

9. Nothing says spring like green.

house curb appealIf you want a healthy lawn year-round, there are some important springtime lawn care steps you need to take. For example, now’s the time to test your soil, set up a mowing schedule and test your lawn sprinkler system. 

Every lawn is unique, so consult with a lawn care service to come up with an action plan for your grass. You can also consider installing artificial turf instead.

10. Trade in your turf for pavers and pebbles.

front yard hardscapingIf you want to save water during the warmer months and dream of a maintenance-free front yard, hardscaping might be the way to go. This means veering away from grass, flowers, trees and gardens, and leaning into wood, brick, stone and concrete to landscape your yard. For example, you may want to consider reducing the amount of grass you have and replacing it with decorative stone and gravel. 

This type of front yard landscaping has its appeal, especially if future potential homebuyers in your area want to reduce their water usage.

11. Trim, tidy and toss out debris.

tree trimming in front of house

Depending on the type of trees you have in your front yard, it might be time to give them a trim. Pruning your trees helps them grow, avoid diseases and keep a particular shape. According to the Spruce, you should prune your spring-flowering trees right after they bloom and later flowering trees in early spring.

If you’re not sure if now’s the time to prune your trees (or if you’re not sure what type of trees you have in your yard), ask a local landscaper or tree removal company. And ask them if they can also trim your shrubbery.

12. Get your windows sparkling clean.

spring curb appeal ideas wash windowsChances are you've spent a fair amount of time scrubbing away window streaks while spring cleaning your home’s interior. But when was the last time you gave your windows a wash?

Washing your exterior windows, along with the screens, is a great way to boost your home’s curb appeal and give your house some sparkle. Plus, it can help brighten up your rooms because it’ll be easier for the sun to shine through clean windows. Hire a professional window cleaning service, especially if you have more than one story or many windows.

13. Light the way home.

landscape lighting curb appealAs the weather grows warmer, you'll be spending more time outside after dark, making this the perfect time to add some landscape lighting to your front yard. Solar path lights are a great addition to any driveway or walkway. You can also give your entryway a refresh with new porch light fixtures.

Any electrical work is best left to a pro, so hire an exterior lighting professional for this project.

14. Give your fence some spring flair.

white picket fence curb appealIf you're planning to spend more time in the yard during the warmer months, spring is the perfect time to install a fence. With so many styles and materials to choose from, there are options to fit every design and budget. If you already have fencing in place, you can opt for a new coat of paint or a power wash to freshen things up.

Installing a picket fence or gate is a big project, so you'll want to leave it to the fence experts. With many factors impacting the cost, like materials and terrain, get a few free quotes before you get started.

Already have a picket fence? Inspect it for rotting wood, missing boards and leaning posts. Depending on its condition, it may be in need of a pressure wash, repairs, resealing or repainting. Afterwards, give it a little spring flair by growing pink roses, sage, catmint and more.

Related: How to install a wood picket fence.

15. Find your home’s true colors.

exterior house painting curb appealThere’s nothing more unappealing than a dirty, grimy, fading, dingy-looking home exterior. Whether the color is fading or you want to make a great first impression, repainting your house’s exterior is a great way to give it a makeover without spending money on a big remodel. It can be tempting to go bold, but if you're giving your curb appeal a boost for a potential resale, stick with more neutral tones — you can always have fun with the trim and accents. 

Some homeowners prefer to tackle this project during the summer, when the weather is even warmer. But be careful. Repainting your home when it’s too hot outside might cause your paint to dry too fast and might even crack. Springtime may be the ideal temperature in your area for house painting.

An exterior paint job is a heavy-duty task best left to the experts. Hire a professional house painter to get the job done for you.

Related: The complete guide to painting your home's exterior.

16. Give your siding some TLC.

pressure wash house sidingIf you don't want to spend the money to repaint the entire house, boost your home's look by focusing on the siding. Replace any cracked and rotting siding, or give your existing siding a paint job.

Another cost-efficient way to improve your home's curb appeal: pressure wash it once a year in the spring to remove dirt that may have accumulated over the winter. Just make sure you don’t damage your siding by applying too much pressure.

A paint company can help repaint your siding, but you'll want to hire a siding contractor if you plan to replace it altogether. 

17. Smooth out the cracks.

driveway cracksA cracked or aging driveway can be a big eyesore. Basic repairs, like resealing or resurfacing, are a great way to not only boost your home's curb appeal but also protect your driveway’s lifespan.

Late spring is an excellent time to get the project done, as inclement weather won't stand in your way. Start looking for a driveway contractor who can help determine your repair needs.

18. Glow up your garage door.

spring garage door maintenanceAn updated garage door can be a relatively cost-effective way to enhance your curb appeal. If you want a quick upgrade to brighten up your home for the spring, all you need is a fresh coat of paint or stain, depending on your existing door's material. You can also accessorize with new garage door hardware, like iron accents or handles.

A professional house painter can help with a fresh coat. However, if you're planning to install a new door, you'll want to enlist a garage door installer.

19. Upgrade your roof — and boost your home’s value.

metal roof replacement

A new roof is definitely one of the most costly curb appeal ideas. But, this project can pay off in the long run. The National Association of Realtors and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry found that homeowners can recover 107% of a new roof cost when it comes time to sell the home. 

Consider installing a “cool” roof, which reflects sunlight to decrease your home’s temperatures. This means you’ll save money and energy when the weather gets hotter. Some examples of cool roofs include metal shingles or tiles with light-colored paint (think: light gray and white).

If you're not looking to spend a lot, quick repairs on broken shingles and replacing your gutters can make a big difference on a small budget. Hire a roofing professional (with a license) for this job.

Pro tip: If you’re thinking about selling your home in the near future, get a real estate agent’s opinion on what types of upgrades are worth investing in to improve your curb appeal. A local real estate professional will know which features prospective buyers want, and can help you prioritize your projects.

20. Keep your gutters debris-free.

clean gutters springAnother very unappealing home feature: gutters overflowing with leaves and debris. 

Gutter cleaning is often thought of as a fall task, but you should do it whenever they become dirty or clogged — and that can definitely happen during the rainy spring season. If not, you not only risk being crowned the “most unattractive house on the block,” the accumulated debris may damage and break your gutters (and repairs and replacements aren’t cheap). 

Don’t want to climb up a ladder and do the dirty work yourself? Hire a gutter cleaning professional.

21. Announce your home’s presence.

new house numbersFinally, one of the easiest curb appeal ideas you can try is revamping your house numbers. There are many different ways you can get creative with how you display your address, from wood mounted signs to numbers on your mailbox, porch, fence or even painted on planters.

Placing new house numbers is an easy DIY project, especially if they come with adhesives. However, if you're hanging mounted numbers or a sign on your home’s exterior, you might want to call in a handyman service — especially if your home's exterior is stucco or brick. 

Trust the pros to boost your curb appeal this spring.

Now is the perfect time to give your house a fresh look. To ensure that your home upgrades have lasting results, enlist a home improvement professional’s help. Use Thumbtack to find local home pros who can make your house’s exterior and outdoor area more appealing.

 

Find local pros for your project

Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll show you pros right for the job, with prices.