7 Tips to Help Enhance the Outside of Your Home

Do you want to enhance the outside of your home?

Enhancing your home’s exterior not only adds curb appeal but also helps increase its value. Everything from a new garage door or roof to professional landscaping can make your home stand out. That is why today, the team here at Legacy Roofing of Idaho is going to walk you through the top seven exterior home enhancement tips!

But first, what is curb appeal anyway?

What is Curb Appeal?

Your home’s curb appeal is, in essence, how your home looks from an aesthetic perspective from the “curb”. From the front of the house, the garden, the roof, and much more, each part of your home’s exterior gives off an impression and level of attractiveness to potential buyers or to the community as a whole.

Improving your home’s curb appeal can be done in an easy weekend project or an easy job on the weekdays after work; however, some may be time-consuming, but regardless of the complexity, it makes a huge difference and it is also important to always hire a professional contractor near you!

Here is just a quick list of possible enhancements to consider for you home:

• New roof installation or replacement
• Upgraded siding (fiber cement, vinyl, or wood)
• Exterior painting or staining
• Window replacements or upgrades
• Adding or updating gutters and downspouts
• Installing stone veneer or brick accents
• Building a front porch or portico
• New or enhanced landscaping and garden beds
• Driveway or walkway paver upgrades
• Outdoor lighting installations
• Adding a deck, patio, or pergola
• Replacing or upgrading exterior doors (entry or garage)
• Installing fencing or privacy screens
• Power washing and cleaning existing surfaces
• Installing rain chains or decorative downspouts

Why is Curb Appeal important?

Ask any real estate agent and they will tell you that your home’s curb appeal is the first thing someone will see when they look at your house. Keeping up with your landscape, ensuring your roof is in working order, and regular power washing can go a long way.

While home maintenance can sometimes be a pain, what most homeowners in Idaho don’t recognize is that your home’s curb appeal also helps influence the value of your home over time, making it especially helpful when attracting potential buyers.

While some houses have an innate advantage due to beautiful architectural style, others need more work, such as refurbished garden beds, a nice power washing, more light, beautiful outdoor furniture in the front of your house, etc. No matter what it is, it pays literally to properly maintain and/or add curb appeal when necessary to draw attention to your home.

19 Quick Exterior Home Upgrades:

If you are someone who likes to get right to it, here is a quick list of 19 exterior upgrades for your home based on the exterior component:

• Roof: New shingles or metal improve protection and style
• Siding: Upgrade to fiber cement or vinyl for durability
• Windows: Energy-efficient glass reduces bills, adds natural light
• Front door: Bold colors or wood doors boost curb appeal
• Garage door: Modern or carriage-style doors totally refresh the façade
• Porch: Add columns, railing, or swings for cozy charm
• Deck / Patio: Create outdoor living spaces for entertaining & relaxing
• Driveway: Resurface, widen, or add pavers for upscale look
• Walkway: Curved paths with stone or stamped concrete invite guests
• Lighting: Landscape, porch, or soffit lighting highlights architecture
• Basement exterior (egress windows): Add safety, light, and future resale value
• Landscaping / Lawn: Lush grass, trimmed shrubs, and flower beds frame house
• Trees & plants: Shade trees, native species, and seasonal blooms thrive here
• Fence: Privacy fences or decorative pickets finish the yard
• Gutters & downspouts: Updated systems prevent water damage, look clean & new
• Paint / Exterior color: Fresh paint ties roof, trim, and siding together
• Brick or stone accents: Add timeless style to columns, walls, or entryways
• Architectural details: Porticos, pergolas, or gables elevate simple exteriors
• Outdoor living additions: Kitchens, fire pits, or pergolas extend your usable space

7 Tips to Help Boost & Enhance the Outside of Your Home

Now that you know why curb appeal is so important and how exterior enhancements can ad value, below are some quick tips to help you enhance the outside of your home that range from easy to do and inexpensive to major home improvement (think roofing, adding hardcapes, etc).

1. Add window boxes

Your home’s architecture is designed in a unique way, for the most part, to allow window panes and/or the ability to install and place window boxes underneath your lower and upper windows. Window boxes are very versatile in that it allows enough room for smaller-level flowers, herbs, and other plants to find a home where they can thrive.

Many urban areas are now utilizing container gardening methods to make up for limited space, and window boxes are a great way to not only contribute to this but also serve as an eye-appealing addition to create a small, transportable garden.

A great focal point to boost curb appeal!

Pro: Affordable and DIY

2. Spice up your Porch/Patio!

Your front porch and patio are the main focal points of your property that can really be stand-out players in your home’s curb appeal.

In both areas, you can be very creative in spicing up your patio area by adding porch railings, porch columns, rocking chairs, a porch swing here and there, fixing up house numbers in the front and back, and heck even a new doormat will be helpful.

Patios take care of your home’s backside usually, sometimes used interchangeably with porch, so don’t be afraid to add some outdoor furniture there as well, apply pressure washing to wooden and stone decks and walkways to keep them clean, and have a small fence installed to clarify property lines if necessary. So many things you can do!

Pro: You can do this on a weekend and it keep it cheaper!

3. Significantly improve your lawn!

Your lawn can be seen as the bread and butter. I’m sure you’ve taken a drive and noticed how beautifully cut grass and a kempt garden draw attention.

Start by being observant! Check your front yard and back of your house, and develop a habit of pulling weeds, mowing, and treating your lawn with friendly chemicals to preserve its effectiveness, to help your plants. This is especially important for your front garden as that will be the eye candy that should stand out!

Build a flower garden is you haven’t already, adding new plants periodically or when necessary. It is ideal to plant seasonal flowers during prime seasons like spring and summer, as they can bring rich color and patterns. Perennials are just as beautiful! Just a day is all it takes, even less than that, for long-term results.

Pro Tip = Be patient, fixing your grass can take a season or two!

4. Make your front door stand out!

Your front door is an underrated asset that is overlooked but still can boost curb appeal. Ensure a low-maintenance future by inspecting the door hardware of your door, applying a fresh coat of paint when necessary, or consider replacing the door altogether. Your choice! A new front door sounds awesome but adding new hardware and a coat of paint only takes a few hours but can enhance your home’s exterior fast!

Pro Tip = DIY painting of the front door isn’t hard, just make sure it is not too hot out!

5) Make roof & exterior upgrades to your house

Exterior upgrades to boost curb appeal are more extensive than other projects, which often means more money and time; therefore, planning is key. Your roof, gutters, and siding experience wear and tear over time, which can make your house look unappealing and deter potential buyers.

This may include fixing up your garage doors, adding shutters to your windows, painting your porch and patio if applicable, or even installing a new roof. The main focal points on the outside of your home include (in no particular order):

• Your home’s roof
• The front door
• Windows
• Siding
• Paint and gutters

Of course, comply with building codes in both residential and commercial areas before taking any action. When it comes to getting a new roof, what most homeowners don’t realize is that a new roof can have an 80% return on investment (or more) on average!

Pro Tip = Learn About New Roofs Here

6) Make a defined and clear path to travel

Pathways are very attractive in your front and back areas because they control the flow of traffic. Without one, even worse, without proper light to see where you are going, it could be a disaster! It is advisable to put down concrete pavers or stone forms, combined with adding lighting, to create a clear, visible path for people to go back and forth.

Pathways create confidence and a sense of openness, which in turn create a much more positive perception and impression. A nice walkway to that newly painted front door is a great way to add flare and enhance the outside of your home!

Pro Tip: Hire a hardcaping company if you have the room to make sure you get an amazing outdoor living area or walkway! Many hardscaping projects can be hard to tackle on your own!

7) Power Wash/Pressure Wash your Exterior!

Your exterior of your house needs some TLC after prolonged exposure to the elements, dirt, grime, and so forth, so be sure to pressure wash and/or power wash siding, roof, porch/patio, driveway, and so forth to give it a clean, fresh look for all to see.

Keep in mind that the difference between power and pressure washing is that the former uses heated water, and the latter doesn’t! Consult with professional cleaning services before attempting to clean. Highly recommended that you hire one. They both have pressure, the other adds the POWER of heat!

Pro Tip: Just pay someone to do this, it will save you time and headaches and prevent issues!

What’s The Verdict?

Curb appeal is your chance to showcase pride in your home, blending creativity with the responsibility of keeping everything in top shape. From simple upgrades to full exterior transformations, the possibilities truly are endless.

Just remember: innovative, practical improvements always lay the foundation for stunning aesthetics. A beautiful home starts with strong bones — and that means a roof you can rely on.

If you have questions about your roof, need a quick inspection, or want honest advice on your home’s exterior, give us a call. At Legacy Roofing Idaho, we’re here to help Boise homeowners protect, enhance, and love where they live.