15 House Painting Ideas That Improve Curb Appeal

There's more to curb appeal than a freshly painted front door. Here are 15 ways to improve your curb appeal with a coat of paint and a little imagination.

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shutterstock_520117405 paint white picket fence curb appeal home
Artazum/Shutterstock

Paint the Fence

It doesn’t matter how good your home looks, if you’ve got a picket fence, and it’s in need of a little TLC, it will reduce your curb appeal by scores. If you don’t have a picture perfect fence or a big budget, you can easily build one out of reclaimed wood.

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security mailbox
via merchant

Paint the Front Door

As it’s the first thing welcoming visitors into your home, the front door is paramount when it comes to curb appeal. And if it’s not in your budget to replace your exterior door, painting it is the next best thing. Before deciding on a front door color, take a walk through your neighborhood for inspiration and choose a color that complements the main color of your home. Don’t forget to check out our list of ideas for painting furniture.

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exterior light fixtures
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Paint Exterior Lighting

This house painting idea is one many people forget. Fierce weather throughout the year can take a toll on outdoor lighting fixtures. And although you may not notice when those lights get a little rusty, visitors (or potential buyers) certainly will. Luckily, a can of spray paint and an afternoon is all you need to get your outdoor lighting looking like new.

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Paint Your Mailbox

A freshly painted mailbox is a simple, easy way to make your home attractive on the market. And it ups your homes curb appeal. Even if you’re not selling, keeping your mailbox in tip-top shape says you take care of your home.

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Paint Your Porch Floor

Whether wood or concrete, keeping your front porch maintained doesn’t just make it look good for curb appeal, it’s essential to the longevity of the structure. And when considering paint, be sure to do your research on the best exterior paints and stains for your porch floor.

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3-Season Planter Box
Family Handyman

Paint Planters

Whether you buy them, or build them yourself, planters are an important part of curb appeal. And should be regularly maintained to ensure your blooms are put to their best effect. Spray paint is an easy and durable way to change planter colors to match your outdoor color scheme.

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dsc_04412 painted brick front home
Photo: Courtesy of Beneath My Heart

Paint the Brick

Painting exterior brick is not a house painting idea to be taken lightly, but if done right, it can be a showstopper for curb appeal. And proper cleaning and repair of mortar joints is essential for paint adhesion, as is letting your brick dry thoroughly before applying paint.

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yellow window shutters
Lokuttara/Shutterstock

Paint the Shutters

Decorative and functional shutters are the perfect way to enhance the beauty of your home, while adding a splash of color to large expanses of exterior walls. And whether you match the shutters to the door, or create an accent color all its own, a fresh coat of paint on shutters is always a good house painting idea. Next, learn how to paint a house with a sprayer.

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Paint Garage Doors

You may only give your garage door a thought when it needs repair, but a weathered, peeling garage door has a big impact on curb appeal. So paint the door(s) and consider replacing the weatherstripping while you’re at it.

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Paint the Porch Ceiling

You don’t have to live in the South to benefit from a front porch that invites long sits with sweet tea. A soft blue porch ceiling will up your curb appeal game. And it looks good with virtually any other paint color scheme, making it the perfect accent for any porch.

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painting vinyl siding
Brian McEntire/Shutterstock

Paint the Siding

One of the best ways to get high marks for curb appeal is to update the color of your siding. So replace or repair broken siding first, then don’t be afraid to get away from basic neutrals and paint your home with a color that will truly stand out.

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modern house numbers
Rafael Croonen/Shutterstock

Paint House Numbers

If your house numbers are metal, and your home is more than a few years old, it’s likely that they are rusty, worn or faded. Liven them up in an afternoon with a bit of rust protecting spray paint and some minor prep work to make it stick.

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Paint Your Hardware

When it comes to house painting ideas and curb appeal the details are the crowning touch. And painting your decorative hardware is an easy way to boost the appeal of your home. Also, this allows you to modernize out-of-date hardware without having to replace it.

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outside view of porch
Family Handyman

Paint the Trim

Use our exterior painting tips and tricks to make sure your trim is in tip-top shape. And windows, doors, railings and porch supports will all benefit from a fresh coat of paint.

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Ceiling Fan Front Porch
John Wollwerth/Shutterstock

Paint Outdoor Furniture

There’s nothing more inviting than a conversation set or porch swing that beckons visitors for a leisurely visit. ut if your outdoor furniture is worn or rusty, you’ll want to give it some new life with a fresh coat of paint.