We tend to judge books by their covers, and houses tend to be the same way. Your front lawn and the exterior edifice speak a lot about the value and condition of the entire home both inside and out.

Here are 10 tips to instantly add curb appeal in the front and back that will improve your dwelling and make the house even more welcoming.

1. Dress Up The Door

The front entryway is the focal point of curb appeal. Making a statement with the front door with a blast of color will add home value with aesthetics. Whether it is painting the existing door or installing a custom door, the front door can prove a charming way to exhibit your home’s personality.

Further add character by sprucing up the doorknob with a unique brass metal or antique fixture to set it apart from the rest of the neighborhood homes.

2. Cover It Up

Homes with patio covers seem significantly more valuable than homes without because a covered deck, porch or back patio space extends the home’s livable area. Building a deck on top of a patio cover is another fantastic idea to expand floor space on the second story. With spiral staircase prices being relatively fair, you can seamlessly join both deck spaces. In the end, investing the money into a deck or balcony will be well worth it.

3. Replace Hardware

Outdated exterior lights, address numbers, and mailboxes can give the home a rundown and dingy feel. Taking the time to switch out old hardware for a collectively matching set, such as oiled-bronze for traditional homes or brushed nickel for contemporary homes, will appreciate the value with a small touch.

4. Install Walkway Lighting

Low-voltage landscape lighting creates a finished look while providing safety and security. Fixtures can accent a walkway, a garden, or illuminate the yard when placed in trees or strung across the patio.

Additionally, many lightscape fixtures are solar-powered, thus they automatically turn on and off with daylight, saving money on utility bills.

5. Add Color

While high maintenance landscape might not be your individual taste, colorful plants that are drought-resistant or in pots can still add a welcoming feel to any home exterior. Placing plants up a walkway, staggering them on entry stairs, or placing them around windows will brighten the home’s exterior without overwhelming the outside area.

6. Window Boxes

If it fits with the home’s theme, window boxes can prove a fantastic installation project. For whimsical cottage-like homes, window boxes are a lovely asset to the home’s overall appeal. They can be constructed out of wood and left natural with a stain or painted a deep shade to add even more eye-catching appeal.

For homes that favor a mid-century modern feel, window boxes in metals or wrought iron can be used to keep the home’s theme intact.

7. Fencing

Homeowners of all kinds, especially those with families and/or pets, should invest in privacy and protection with a good fence or backyard wall. Constructing a fence around all or a portion of the yard will enhance what the home has to offer. In the front, a white picket fence or natural hedge yields a quaint ambiance and adds home security.

8. Paint

Home exteriors with dull or dirty paint will detract from the home’s appearance. Painting the whole exterior, or at minimum the trim, the home will feel fresh, clean, and vibrant.

9. Gutters

If the home has an older gutter system, it is probably peeling and rusty, which can convey a sense of neglect. Replace old systems with snap-fit vinyl gutter systems that require no painting and little maintenance.

10. Fix Broken Concrete

In older homes, tree roots can severely damage the house’s driveway or walkways. Even though it can be pricey to remove the roots and replace the concrete, it will pay off both now and in the long run.

Touching up the front and back to match the interior makes the home more presentable and more valuable overall.