The Cure for Houzz Envy: Great Front Facade Touches to Borrow

The front of a house probably brings out the most intense Houzz Envy. Driving by, not even knowing what’s going on inside, we admire a beautiful home’s facade, and it instantly becomes a dream house in our minds. The front of the house makes the first impression and welcomes you as you return home from a long day of work. You want it to make you feel good as soon as it comes into your view.

Your home’s facade is its face. It may need an expensive facelift (boards are rotting; needs new shingles, shutters and siding; needs a new roof), or it may just need a lifestyle lift (a new door or mailbox), a makeover (fresh paint, new plants) or perhaps an at-home facial (a good sweep, some weeding, glass cleaning). Whatever shape your home is in, here are some ideas to perk up the front and make it a view you love pulling up to.

Make things clean and crisp. This one’s going to take some hours of yardwork. Edge those flower beds, freshen up your mulch or pine straw, sweep off that path and clean the cobwebs and pollen off your front planters, lights and mailbox.


Let that flag fly. Keep it in good shape and follow the rules. In America there are codes for how and when to display the flag. While some of those rules have eased, I recall putting the flag out every morning on nice days with my grandfather and properly folding it up and storing it at sunset. Replace a raggedy flag and have a dirty one cleaned (lots of dry cleaners in the States will clean American flags for free).


Put up a window box. In my opinion this is one of the top ways to add instant charm to your home. You can paint it to match or contrast your trimwork and change out the flowers seasonally. My favorite window box season is fall, when I can fill one with mums, pumpkins and oddly shaped gourds.

See how to build your own modern window box


Edge your walk or driveway with plants. Evergreen shrubs will add appeal and structure all year round and can serve as your base. Then you can plant bulbs in the fall, perennials and shrubs after the last frost in spring, and annuals throughout the year. Play with color, heights and textures.

Get ideas for driveway landscaping


Make the front walk welcoming for all visitors. Chances are, you don’t use the front walk much, and enter through a side or back door from the driveway. Take a test walk and make sure there is nothing slippery or trip inducing. Clip shrubs and flowers so they won’t snag clothes and pull any pesky weeds from between stepping stones or in cracks.

Check out more front-yard ideas


Add a sculpture. Place an orb, a birdbath, a boulder or any other object you love in the front yard.


Make the front walk welcoming at night too. Ensure that it’s well lit and easy to traverse. Small solar lights are an inexpensive way to illuminate the front walk.

How to Choose the Right Solar Lights


Flank the front door with plants. While fancy urns are a favorite, simple and inexpensive terra-cotta pots are classic. You can change out annuals seasonally or invest in some evergreen topiaries to add a whimsical, sculptural touch.


If ferns are your favorite thing, use taller plant stands instead of pots. I’ve used medium-height old metal stools scored at a secondhand shop as plant stands — a pair cost me $15, including black spray paint.


Paint the front door. Houzz is chock-full of great ideas for front door colors; color expert Jennifer Ott has explored the entire rainbow in this series.


Hang a wreath all year round. Think of how wonderful and welcoming a wreath makes a house look during the winter holidays — now, wouldn’t it be fantastic to have that added appeal all year? Gather up some interesting twigs, vines, berries and foliage and take a wreath-making workshop so that you can craft your own. I promise these classes are really fun, and wreath making is a great skill to have.

See the rest of this home


Knock, knock … A door knocker is an easy way to add your personal style front and center. I had to look closely to even see this black anchor knocker, but then it was a delightful surprise, just as it would be for someone knocking on the door for the first time.

As a side note, these baskets full of giant elephant ears are a wonderful touch that accentuates the front door.


Add a whimsical object. Show off your personal style with an architectural salvaged piece, such as a vintage stained glass window or even artwork — or if nautical is your thing, a giant ship’s wheel.


Display objects that fit the theme of your house. Skis and snowshoes match a ski house, old wooden barrels befit a log cabin, maple syrup baskets filled with flowers suit a cottage, and a casually propped surfboard is just right at the beach. Put on your photo stylist’s hat and have fun with props from around the house.


Pay attention to lighting. Make sure your bulbs are bright enough and working, use glass cleaner on the inside and out, and clear out the cobwebs. In fact, sweep the cobwebs off everything, then sweep your front steps and porch and touch up any scuffs on the paint.


Roll out the welcome mat. This is a great investment for the rest of your home too, as people will wipe their feet on it before entering and keep your home cleaner. If you live in an area that gets mucky, add a boot scraper.

Browse doormats in the Products section


Match your lighting to your home’s architecture. For example, onion sconces like these are a popular choice for colonial-era homes.


Match your front door to the architecture too. Doors like this one are common to Arts and Crafts and Craftsman architecture. This suggestion is for those of you who are ready to invest some money in your front facade, or it can be inspiration for those of you who are saving for bigger changes.


Show off your home’s history with pride. If your live in an older home, contact your local historic commission to apply for an official sign noting the year it was built and the name. You may have to do some research beyond a historical society, but it’s wonderful to find out about the people who lived in your home before you. (My parents found out that their 1810 house was used as a toy factory and a Hingham bucket factory at different times.)


Celebrate your house number. This is one of the most elaborate ways to announce an address I’ve ever seen; there are much easier ways to have your numbers pack a design punch. You can scoop up inexpensive stencils or numerals in a variety of fonts. This is an easy DIY project even for DIY-challenged folks like me.

Check out more house number ideas


Spruce up that mailbox. Clean it off and add house numbers, the word “mail” or a design that strikes your fancy.


If your mailbox is at the curb or along the driveway, give it a fresh coat of paint or replace it with one that shows off your personal style. If you’re planting around the mailbox, think about your postal carrier and make sure not to add anything that attracts a swarm of bees.


Create a front-yard seating area. A home lacking a front porch can still have a spot for sitting and watching the world go by. It can be as simple as two Adirondack chairs in the front yard.

See more ways to add curb appeal

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