From front door upgrades to simple planting tricks, these tried-and-tested kerb appeal ideas will make your home look more expensive – without a full renovation. We spoke to designers and garden specialists to find out what really works.
1. Make your front door the focal point
'A front door that looks intentionally finished, supported by good lighting, makes the biggest single difference because it becomes the visual anchor for the whole frontage. When the door surface is clean and freshly painted, the glazing is wiped, and the handle, knocker and letter plate look current and cohesive, the rest of the façade reads as cared-for, even if other elements are still a work in progress.'
– Josh Eberly, design lead at Marygrove Awnings.
2. Use simple planting for an instant, low-cost upgrade
'Simple planting is the fastest and most affordable fix. A pair of matching pots by the door or a tidy window box can transform the space. Even just trimming shrubs and clearing the path makes everything look instantly more polished.'
– Luke Newnes, Gardening Expert at Hillarys.
3. Frame your front path to create a high-end look
'Line it with low, structured plants like lavender, box or ornamental grasses. This frames the walkway and creates a sense of arrival that feels much more premium, no matter what the paving is made from.'
– Luke Newnes, Gardening Expert at Hillarys.
4. Don’t over-pave your front garden
'Think carefully about the balance between hard landscaping and planting. Avoid over-paving; instead, allow space for generous planting to soften the scheme and bring it to life. Where paving is necessary, keep materials simple and in keeping with the house and street so it sits comfortably within the surrounding vernacular. Planting can then be used to screen bin stores, introduce movement, soften hard edges, and create a more welcoming approach.'
– Imogen Perreau, multi-award-winning landscape designer at Imogen Perreau Studio
5. Layer lighting for a warmer, more welcoming entrance
'The front entrance is like a handshake to the home; it makes the ultimate first impression, so adding lighting to enhance its welcoming appeal is a great idea. Warm lighting, like some lanterns at either side of the doorway, is a timeless addition. Layering lighting is popular for good reason, too; adding path lights alongside lanterns can be an affordable, high-impact and low-maintenance addition to the front entrance of the home.'
– Laura Rich, interior designer at Furniturebox and former estate agent
6. Add character to avoid a bland exterior
'Bland exteriors usually could benefit from characterful additions like statement garden furniture, lighting and accessories. It's a good idea to consider your garden as an extension of the home, and consider what you would do to upgrade your home's exterior to add character, and apply the same principles outside. It's all about making your home exterior more interesting and adding personality — adding plants, planting shrubs intentionally, adding a garden mirror to the home’s exterior, or introducing some statement furniture pieces and lighting.'
– Laura Rich, interior designer at Furniturebox and former estate agent
7. A bold front door can be a smart, high-impact upgrade
'A bold front door can be a smart move if it works to match the style of your property and its surroundings, making it stand out without being out of place. A front door is one of the few elements of a home where you can make a strong, personal statement without committing to major structural change. It's a high-impact, low-cost upgrade. It's always worth testing a few colours to make sure you’re happy with the overall look before committing to the whole door, especially if it’s a strong colour that’ll be trickier to cover if you're unhappy with it.'
– David Turner, head of product at Leader Online
8. Refresh planting and clean up for a quick weekend win
'Refresh your containers, prune back overgrowth, clean the path and add a couple of evergreen plants for structure. It's achievable in a day but immediately makes the home feel more looked after.'
– Luke Newnes, Gardening Expert at Hillarys
9. Choose timeless exterior paint colours that won’t date
'Nature-inspired neutrals are timeless for exterior paint. A soft, warm grey remains the gold standard for neutrals, working like stone to be compatible with most styles. Bright white can be overwhelming and stark, but a warm, off-white can be timeless, feeling welcoming and compatible with other colour schemes. Sage green is a firm favourite. It's a modern neutral that will undoubtedly have longevity – it feels grounded and adds character.'
– Laura Rich, interior designer at Furniturebox and former estate agent
10. Use larger containers to frame your front door
'Be generous with the size of your pots at the front of the house. Larger containers bring structure and a sense of confidence to the approach. Use them to flank the entrance or to provide subtle screening, planting with evergreen climbers around the door or a pair of multi-stem evergreen shrubs, underplanted for added texture and layered with bulbs for seasonal variation. This approach helps to frame the house while creating a welcoming and considered arrival.'
– Imogen Perreau, multi-award-winning landscape designer at Imogen Perreau Studio.
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The Kerb Appeal Edit
Primrose Gunmetal Black Galvanised Zinc Rectangular Garden Planter
Long Ornate Iron Black Rubber Entrance Doormat
