Skip to content

Top Navigation

Midwest Living Midwest Living
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Home
  • Garden
  • Holidays
  • Videos
  • current issue
  • Sweepstakes
  • Road Rally
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Win Your Dream Getaway!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Magazine Issues
  • Destinations
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Midwest Living

Midwest Living Midwest Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 11 Extraordinary Outdoor Travel Experiences to Try This Year

      11 Extraordinary Outdoor Travel Experiences to Try This Year

      Have you ever slept in a treehouse? Paddled by moonlight? Seen the Milky Way? We challenge you to try one of these activities. Read More
    • Meet Five Midwest Cake Creators (and Try Their Recipes)

      Meet Five Midwest Cake Creators (and Try Their Recipes)

      One has conquered the world of plant-based baking. Another runs a microbakery from her home. Two own businesses with their spouses. And the fifth is a James Beard finalist chef. The common thread? Absolutely delicious cakes. Read More
    • The No-Fail Relish Tray Recipe is Here

      The No-Fail Relish Tray Recipe is Here

      For many Midwesterners, holiday feasting kicks off with a relish tray. We dare not mess with an icon—at least, not too much. Read More
  • Travel

    Travel

    See All Travel
    Des Moines' Hottest Food Neighborhoods You Need to Know About

    Des Moines' Hottest Food Neighborhoods You Need to Know About

    Korean egg sandwiches, Australian baked goods,Southeast Asian bing bing wraps—here’s an in-the-know guide to eating your way through this culinary capital.
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Family Travel
    • Around the Region
    • Beyond the Region
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Missouri
    • Nebraska
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • South Dakota
    • Wisconsin
    • Free Travel Info
  • Food

    Food

    See All Food
    The Delicate, Spongy Basic Crepe Recipe You Can Master at Home—Plus 4 Ways to Upgrade It

    The Delicate, Spongy Basic Crepe Recipe You Can Master at Home—Plus 4 Ways to Upgrade It

    With encouragement from the owner of a Kansas City, Missouri, creperie, you’ll perfect these delicate pancakes in no time.
    • Comfort Foods
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Breakfast
    • Quick & Easy
    • Chicken
    • Soups & Stews
    • Midwest Favorites
    • Fruits & Vegetables
    • Fish
    • Grilling
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal With These Ideas from a Minneapolis Makeover

    Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal With These Ideas from a Minneapolis Makeover

    With fresh paint and a terraced slope, a Minneapolis stucco goes from mousy to magnetic.
    • Quick Decorating
    • Featured Homes
    • Organizing & Storage
    • Outdoor Living
    • Seasonal Decorating
    • Room Decorating
  • Garden

    Garden

    See All Garden
    How to Plant a Rain Garden

    How to Plant a Rain Garden

    Turn a wet trouble spot into a lush and Earth-friendly oasis by capturing the rain.
    • Container Gardens
    • Flowers
    • Featured Gardens
    • Midwest Gardening Calendar
    • Garden Ideas & Inspiration
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays
    Brighten Your Front Door with This Colorful Easter Egg Wreath

    Brighten Your Front Door with This Colorful Easter Egg Wreath

    For this do-it-yourself spring wreath, we bundled inexpensive paper-mache eggs in fuzzy, vibrant yarn.
    • Easter
    • July 4th
    • Thanksgiving
    • Halloween
    • Christmas
    • Valentine's Day
  • Videos

    Videos

    See All Videos
    Chef Jorge Guzmán's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tamales

    Chef Jorge Guzmán's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tamales

    Tamales are a project, but many hands—even tiny ones—make lighter work.
    • Brighten Your Front Door with This Colorful Easter Egg Wreath
    • These DIY Orange Beeswax Candles Will Make Your Home Smell Amazing
    • Ring in the New Year with This Glam Star Garland
    • How to Make a Modern Fruit Cake Box
    • An Eye-Catching Oval Treat Box You Can Make
    • Make a Colorful Paper Raffia Wreath to Welcome Fall
    • How to Make a Dried Floral Arrangement
    • How to Make an Easy Pina Colada
    • How to Make an Amazing Pavlova
    • How to Make Pumpkin-Spice Icebox Cake
    • How to Make an All-Butter Pie Crust
    • DIY Pistachio Wheat Stalks for Fall Decorating
  • current issue

    current issue

    See All current issue
    About Us

    About Us

    • March/April 2022 Issue
    • January/February 2022 Issue
    • November/December 2021 Issue
    • September/October 2021 Issue
    • July/August 2021 Issue
    • May/June 2021 Issue
    • Summer 2022 Issue
    • Fall 2022 Issue
    • Winter 2022 Issue
  • Sweepstakes
  • Road Rally
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Win Your Dream Getaway!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Magazine Issues
  • Destinations
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Midwest Living
  2. Homes
  3. Decorating Ideas
  4. Easy Ways to Boost Curb Appeal

Easy Ways to Boost Curb Appeal

By The editors of MidwestLiving.com Updated March 03, 2021
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Curb appeal

Spruce up the curb appeal of your home by adding touches reflecting your personality and style.

Start Slideshow

1 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Plant close to home

Curb appeal

Design garden spaces close to the house so they connect to-and become extensions of-interior rooms. At the home of Ohio garden designer Kevin Reiner, bushy green boxwood, cactus-filled urns and tall canna with orange blooms frame the short distance from the sidewalk to the front steps of the Greek Revival-style home.

1 of 28

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Little touches add up

Little touches add up

Container plants, a pretty ruffled wreath, summery blue paint on the door and a rocking chair all create a welcoming front door area.

2 of 28

3 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Mid-century reimagined

Mid-century reimagined

A complete remodel included a reimagined entry to this 1959 Chicago-area ranch house. The wood, stone and stained brick on the new wider porch create a cabinesque feel that continues into the foyer.

3 of 28

Advertisement

4 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Flowers galore

flowers galore

Flowers give a home instant warmth and personality. The porch of this Illinois house brims with hanging baskets of begonias, while a long planter chock-full of flowers and foliage substitutes for a window box on the porch railing. More flowers and foliage of varying heights fill the front yard.

4 of 28

5 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Color pops

Color pops

Pops of red on the garage and two large containers add just enough color to this entrance. The wood railing, decorative planks above the porch and wood shingles share a basic neutral color but have intriguingly different shapes and lines. A path curves through garden-like landscaping to the front porch.

5 of 28

6 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bench decor

Bench decor

Benches aren't just for sitting. Here, a bench serves as a display area for container plants, watering cans and other gardening tools, lending an earthy, casual feel to the front entrance.

6 of 28

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Hang a window box

Hang a window box

Pretty posies in a sunny window box make a cheerful hello.

7 of 28

8 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Dutch door

Dutch door

A cottage-style Dutch door swings open at the top to let in fresh air and create a connection between inside and outside. The vibrant yellow color makes an eye-catching statement on the otherwise all-white home. A bench, large wall lamp and assortment of plants give the entrance more welcoming touches.

8 of 28

9 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Mail order

Mail order

Country or classic, choose a mailbox style that matches your home's architecture. Large house numbers ensure first-time guests find you easily. Pretty plantings at the base finish the look.

9 of 28

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Screen door charm

Screen door charm

A wooden screen door adds old-fashioned charm, but the spicy hue keeps the look from being tame.

10 of 28

11 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Walkway lighting

Walkway lighting

Walkway lighting adds a soft glow at night while safely leading visitors to your door. If you use solar versions, there is no wiring.

11 of 28

12 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

All-American appeal

All-American appeal

A large American flag, lush hanging ferns and front porch rockers combine for a welcoming entrance.

12 of 28

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Upgrade hardware

Upgrade hardware

Changing out the hardware-even in subtle places like on shutters-enhances a home's exterior. Renewed locks, bells or knockers revitalize a look.

13 of 28

14 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Stair-step plants

Stair-step plants

Container plants climbing the steps draw eyes to your door. Art tucked in adds whimsy.

14 of 28

15 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sturdy statement

Sturdy statement

Solid and safe, railings also add beauty when they are dressed as smart as these. Pristine white contrasts sharply with the wood steps and darker door.

15 of 28

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Personal welcome

Personal welcome

Welcome mats come in all shapes and sizes. Make sure the one you put down fits your style. This wood one is engraved with the homeowner's name, others come with initials, images of favorite pets, and more.

16 of 28

17 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Add a splash of color

Add a splash of color

The front door is the perfect spot for a jolt of color that might otherwise overwhelm your home.

17 of 28

18 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Add antique shutters

Add antique shutters

Two antique shutters add shady style to this sunny front door. If you don't have antiques, use paint to re-create the look.

18 of 28

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Overall update

Overall update

New sconces and matching aged-bronze hardware, a coat of golden yellow paint, easy-to-apply house numbers and a pair of easy-care planters gave this front door a thorough update. Click here for more details on this project.

19 of 28

20 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Happy hellos

Happy hellos

Hanging artwork in bright shades says welcome in a happy way.

20 of 28

21 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Charming details

Charming details

Contrasting green trim and log-lattice porch railings add charming cottage character to this cabin's facade.

21 of 28

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Ornate touch

Ornate touch

For added elegance on an old door, add an ornate screen or carving as the homeowner's did over this mirrored door.

22 of 28

23 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Paint a doormat

Painted doormat

Personalize your entry with a hand-painted doormat! We used a 24x36" sisal doormat, stencils and white matte outdoor spray paint to create our design.

23 of 28

24 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Monogram your door

Monogram your door

Use your initials to monogram your front door. Not only is the initial on the planters and hanging, it's also etched into the glass.

24 of 28

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Extra elements

Extra elements

Birdbaths, fountains, bubblers-water elements add a cooling touch of nature to a sunny front.

25 of 28

26 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Old-fashioned charm

Old-fashioned charm

A white picket fence and breezy porch lend old-fashioned appeal to this home.

26 of 28

27 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Personalize your space

Personalize your space

A driftwood hanger to the side of the door makes a pretty-and practical-personal addition to the entrance. The bright red door pops against the neutral tones on the rest of the exterior.

27 of 28

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 28

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Patriotic flair

Patriotic flair

Red, white and blue goes with every home style!

28 of 28

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By The editors of MidwestLiving.com

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 28 Plant close to home
    2 of 28 Little touches add up
    3 of 28 Mid-century reimagined
    4 of 28 Flowers galore
    5 of 28 Color pops
    6 of 28 Bench decor
    7 of 28 Hang a window box
    8 of 28 Dutch door
    9 of 28 Mail order
    10 of 28 Screen door charm
    11 of 28 Walkway lighting
    12 of 28 All-American appeal
    13 of 28 Upgrade hardware
    14 of 28 Stair-step plants
    15 of 28 Sturdy statement
    16 of 28 Personal welcome
    17 of 28 Add a splash of color
    18 of 28 Add antique shutters
    19 of 28 Overall update
    20 of 28 Happy hellos
    21 of 28 Charming details
    22 of 28 Ornate touch
    23 of 28 Paint a doormat
    24 of 28 Monogram your door
    25 of 28 Extra elements
    26 of 28 Old-fashioned charm
    27 of 28 Personalize your space
    28 of 28 Patriotic flair

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Midwest Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Help
    • Free Newsletters this link opens in a new tab
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
    • Renew this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Affiliate Program
    • Free Travel Info this link opens in a new tab
    • Special Promotions this link opens in a new tab
    • Sweepstakes this link opens in a new tab
    • Video
    • Home Advisor this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMidwest Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Midwest Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.midwestliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Easy Ways to Boost Curb Appeal
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.