10 DIY Curb Appeal Projects (That Make Your Home Look More Expensive)

With spring literally days away, it’s time to get outside and tackle some yard and curb appeal projects. Today , I am sharing 10 easy DIY projects to make your home exterior look more charming (and even more expensive)- all while staying on a budget…

Temps are hitting record highs here in the South this week, and I’m not mad about it one bit.

With longer, warmer days on the horizon, I naturally start shifting my home improvement energy (and what little budget I have) from inside the house to outside.

Once the birds start chirping and the weather turns a bit more polite, my brain immediately goes to yard projects, outdoor decorating, pressure washing, and all things curb appeal.

So… whether you’re thinking about resale value or simply want your home to feel a little more charming when you pull into the driveway, today’s post is for you, boo!

Below, I’m sharing DIY projects I’ve personally used (and one I’m about to tackle) to boost my home’s curb appeal- all budget-friendly and surprisingly doable…

1. Paint Your Porch-

I decided to kick off this round-up with a project that took just one weekend but instantly updated my porch. Lately, so many of you have been asking how my DIY painted concrete floors are holding up, and while they’re far from perfect (the paint has chipped in a few spots thanks to metal chair legs I forgot to put felt pads on 🙃), for about $100 total, I’m still really pleased with how they turned out.

In fact, this flooring upgrade was so simple that my (at the time) eight-year-old helped me knock it out one sunny spring day. It was waiting for them to cure that was the most time consuming (approximately 5 days).

2. DIY Shutters for $80-

The front elevation of my lake cottage needed a little zhuzh… but… unfortunately, the budget wasn’t exactly cooperating. So for about $80 worth of cedar boards and a few hours of labor, my husband built me DIY board and batten shutters. And let me tell you… they did wonders for this one barren expanse of white exterior I used to side-eye every time I pulled into the freakin’ driveway.

3. Seating Area with DIY Outdoor Wall Decor-

Thoughtfully decorated seating areas on your porch do wonders for making your home feel welcoming to guests and onlookers alike. And while outdoor wall decor can definitely run the risk of being kitschy, terra cotta pots and succulents are classy, timeless, and surprisingly foolproof. For less than $50, this little plant “gallery” wall I installed on my front porch ended up being cheap AF and high impact.

4. Covering Eye Sores with Faux Greenery Panels-

Whether you need to conceal a chain link fence, create a privacy screen from nosey neighbors, or (in my case) cover up a patch of ugly vinyl siding, back at my 1980’s fixer upper , I used faux boxwood tiles to add a little festive flair to my outdoor gatherings without spending a fortune.

5. DIY A/C Unit and Trash Screen-

Speaking of concealing eyesores, my A/C unit used to be one of the very first things you saw when you pulled into my driveway (and it was not pretty). That simply wasn’t going to fly, so for half a day’s work and under $200 in materials, my husband and I built a simple fence to conceal both the HVAC unit and our garbage cans.

6. DIY Custom Mailbox-

Unfortunately, I can’t take credit for this beauty of a mailbox, but it’s definitely a project I’m adding to my curb appeal checklist this year. I love how the modern house numbers and integrated light take the humble mailbox to a whole other level. And those gorgeous horizontal wood panels? They elevate the entire look without the need (or expense) of masonry.

7.Paint Your Front Door-

With advances in paint technology, painting your front door no longer has to be outsourced to the pros. In fact, I’ve painted multiple front doors myself (and I have a full DIY tutorial you can follow here).

The only caution I’ll give you? Wait for a warm day. Dry time and curing time will be slow as hell if you do what I did and attempt it on a cold winter day (like the impatient Virgo I am).

8. Build a Custom House Number Sign-

Not only do you want your DoorDash delivery guy to easily find your home (and not deliver your midnight munchies to the wrong house), but house numbers are also a major decorating opportunity for your front elevation.

To give your home some modern character, take a note from A Crafted Passion and build your own custom sign. Because while aesthetics matter… so do your late-night tacos.

9. Stain or Paint Your Privacy Fence-

As a design nerd, this is one pet peeve that truly drives me crazy…

With as many privacy fences as I pass every day, rarely do people take the time to stain them. And if you’re skipping that step, not only are you leaving your fence vulnerable to the elements… you’re also missing a seriously DIYable curb appeal moment.

Like, for real… you’d be surprised what a little stain or paint can do. And if you’re planning to build a fence, be thoughtful about the details…. A horizontal plank orientation instead of vertical… Capping the top rail. All of those seemingly small choices make a big difference in how “expensive” your home is perceived to be.

10. DIY Painted Home Exterior-

Okay… I saved this curb appeal project for last because I realize painting your house DIY-style isn’t exactly as casual as tossing down a few bags of mulch in the flower bed. But nonetheless, Within the Grove pulled off an incredible exterior transformation by renting a paint sprayer and tackling her front elevation (windows, fascia, and stucco included) – saving thousands in the process! Be sure to click through on the caption to see the full transformation and all the details involved.

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending some time with me this week! I hope this post inspired you to tackle a curb appeal project or two this season. And maybe even think beyond the usual “plant some flowers and call it a day” advice.

Sometimes it’s the slightly more thoughtful, slightly more strategic upgrades that make your home look elevated (without draining your bank account).

If you found this post helpful, it would mean so much to this small business of mine if you could “Pin it” on Pinterest or share with a friend …

Until next time, keep on designing a life that feels as good as it looks!