Even changing the hardware on your front door can boost your home’s worth.

First impressionsdomatter, especially in real estate.

You’ll be ready to put yourbest house forwardwith these expert tricks.

Yellow Front Door

BanksPhotos/Getty Images

What Is Curb Appeal, Exactly?

You know curb appeal when you see it.

What you do need is color and contrast, balance, and good old-fashioned TLC.

Mailbox Curb Appeal

Balancea thoughtfully composed garden bed and symmetrical window boxesaffects our first impressions more subtly.

“Balance and symmetry convey stability,” Monthofer says.

You might even add more value to the asking price.

midcentury modern house numbers

Address on Midcentury modern house.George Gutenbert/Getty Images

You just have to pick the right projects," says Kerrie Kelly of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab.

“Many of these quick-fix projects can be done in an afternoon, and without professional help.

“A beautiful front door color can completely refresh your home.”

Double garage doors

Elenathewise / Getty Images

It can be transformative and only takes about $15 and 15 minutes!”

The same can be said for door hardware (doorknobs and door knockers).

One fix that requires zero commitment (and almost as little effort) is temporary or magnetic decorative hardware.

Close-up of entrance to modern Buenos Aires home with chair and potted plants on porch either side of front door.

JohnnyGreig / Getty Images

Save this project for mild, dry weathernot humid or rainyso the paint can dry properly.

Create a Grand Entrance

Want to go big on the curb appeal?

And adding flowers can be a cost-effective way to bring a burst of color to your entrance.

White Painted House Exterior 483598945

White Painted House Exterior.Getty / Paul Bradbury

Sponge down your porch furniture with warm water and a little dish soap.

), take the time to delineate the two.

“Inexpensive fixtures and hardware may show wear more quickly and need to be replaced much sooner.”

front porch

Getty Images

Draw the Eye Up

Brighten up your entryway by adding visual interest higher in your tableau.

“This will make it denser and fuller.”

Granted, not every shrub in your yard has to be pruned.

Solar lights line a brick pathway interspersed with plants at night.

bruev/ Getty Images

Balance the Garden Beds

Johner Images/Getty Images

The prettiest gardens are full of layers.

Ideally, find a mix of evergreen and deciduous plants of different heights and textures.

Put the tallest in the back and the lowest in the front.

Light fixtures front door

dpproductions/Getty Images

They come in colors and designs that suitdifferent house styles.

It can add a little extra panache to the entrancewayand help keep dirt out of your house, too.

Add in small tables (and perhaps even an outdoor lamp) to make it picture perfect.

Uplighting Garden

welcomia/Getty Images

There are manyfront-door decor ideasthat can make a big difference even if you’re on a tight budget.

Gravel as mulch

Schad1953/Getty Images

Trimmed Hedges

posonsky/Getty Images

Flower Garden

Johner Images/Getty Images

Mailbox Flowers

Phil Lewis/Getty Images

Front Door Garden Path

Kanok Sulaiman/Getty Images

Welcome Mat

Scott Van Dyke/Getty Images

Autumn Wreath for Curb Appeal

TriggerPhoto/Getty Images