It doesn’t take much to take your home’s curb appeal to the next level. Most of the time, a sunny weekend is all you’ll need for updates that can transform a tired-looking home exterior into a block star.

Start with quick updates to improve curb appeal and work your way up to more complex projects. You don’t have to re-do the entire front porch to make your home stand out: sometimes, a couple of well-placed flower pots are really all you need. Beautify your home and increase its curb appeal with these easy ideas.

Give your front door the attention it deserves

Updating your front door is one of the easiest—and most satisfying—ways to boost curb appeal. Here are a few ideas to try, starting with the simplest first:

• Scrub any accumulated gunk and grime from the front door, screen door and entry area
• Polish tarnished metal fixtures to a shine
• Replace the lightbulbs in the overhead or side light fixtures
• Trim any wayward plants or scraggly bushes
• Hang a wreath on the door—there are good options for all seasons
• Add two potted plants on each side of the entry for a symmetrical look
• Select and install new light fixtures
• Replace dingy house numbers with an updated design
• Paint the front door a bold color that complements your home’s style
• Add contrasting molding to make the entrance pop

Treat your walkway to an elegant upgrade

A neglected, cracked walkway can be transformed into an elegant path with just a little work. Here’s how to give your walkway extra curb appeal:

• Remove weeds sprouting in the cracks, and fill them in
• Illuminate the walkway with low-voltage landscape lighting
• Add an attractive stone or flower border
• Replace a concrete walkway with contoured brick or stone

Set the scene with beautiful landscaping

Whether it’s a lush green lawn, a native flower garden, or a beautiful old oak tree, the landscaping surrounding a home accentuates its best features. But if your lawn is run-down, your plants dried up, or your branches close to toppling, it’s time for an update. Here’s where to start:

• Trim, prune, weed and mow everything that’s crying out for attention
• Give flower beds some oomph with an attractive stone border
• Plant fresh flowers or install a colorful container garden
• Plant new trees if you have the room—it’s an investment that will pay off with time
• Add outdoor art like sculptures, wind chimes, or a fountain

Turn your windows into a focal point

Even if it’s not time to replace your old windows, you can still give them a fresh look. Here’s how to style them for maximum curb appeal:

• Give them a thorough cleaning, inside and out
• Add cheerful window boxes for a welcome pop of color
• Install shutters that add interest and beauty to your home’s exterior

Clean your way to more curb appeal

Is your real home trapped somewhere under the layers of dirt and grime that have accumulated over the years? Here’s how to make it look pristine again:

• Wash any glass surfaces, including your front screen door and windows
• Polish metal fixtures and house numbers
• Clean the gutters and downspouts
• Power wash your home’s exterior (you can rent a pressure washer from a home improvement store, or hire someone to do this for you)

Invest in big-impact updates

While you can do a lot for your home’s curb appeal in a single weekend, at some point you may want to call in the pros or invest in bigger projects. Here are a few big ideas that yield big results:

• Give your siding and trim a fresh coat of paint
• Repair and refinish worn porch railings
• Replace old gutters and downspouts
• Replace old siding with a new material like brick, stone, or wood
• Invest in a new roof

Get started!

We hope you’ll use these ideas to make your home stand out and improve its curb appeal. You can pick and choose your favorites or, for those ambitious types, tick off everything on the list. Just remember that no matter how small the update is, it’s likely to have a big impact on your home’s curb appeal. The only way to get results, though, is to get started!