Curb Appeal How To & DIY
Improve the value of your home by discovering our curb appeal step-by-step tips & ideas.

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Front Porch Lights: From A to Z
More than just a beacon leading to the front door, exterior lighting helps define the look of a house. With planning and a bit of math, you can put your home's best face forward.
How to Build a Utility Cover
Carpenter Nathan Gilbert helps a homeowner block their gas meter from the road with a simple yet attractive removable utility cover.
How to Design a High Traffic Landscape
Landscape contractor Jenn Nawada works with a homeowner who lives on a corner lot to create an attractive, durable landscape that can withstand heavy pedestrian traffic.
How To Hang the American Flag
Watch as Ask This Old House carpenter and U.S. Navy veteran Nathan Gilbert explains the proper way to hang and display a U.S. flag.
How to Paint Your Front Door | This Old House: Live
Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique demonstrates how to paint a front door with oil-based, high gloss paint. This is part of This Old House: Live—an initiative providing daily programming and opportunities to connect with our experts during these challenging times.
How to Replace a Mailbox and Posts
Here is what you need to know to install a mailbox and new post.
How to Replace a Mailbox Post
Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner install a new curbside mailbox
How to Swap the Swing of an Entry Door
Changing your door from a right-hand swing to a left-hand swing can be a fairly easy task, as long as it’s the same height on both sides, and you’re okay with the inside face of the door becoming the outer face. Watch Ask This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert as he helps general contractor Tom Silva change the swing of an entry door.
How to Resize an Exterior Door
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva trims a front door that’s getting caught on a homeowner’s entry rug
How to Build a Bluestone Walkway
Ask This Old House landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner remove a flagstone walkway and replace it with bluestone
How To Choose the Right Window Style for Your Home
Discover how to choose the perfect window style for your home, balancing aesthetics, functionality, and energy efficiency.
A Step By Step Guide to Upgrading a Steel Lamppost
Using a PVC column kit and trim, you can build your own steel lamppost to add some lighting—and curb appeal—to your home.
How to Replace Sidelights on a Front Door
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva replaces a pair of sidelights on a front door with new, insulated ones
Add Curb Appeal With a Hellstrip Garden
Turn the struggling ribbon of lawn between the sidewalk and the street into a glorious garden with tough, easy-care plants
4 Surprising Rules on Painting the American Flag
Make sure your painted flag stands up to the flag code with this guide. We'll tell you everything you need to know to show proper respect.
How to Make Board-and-Batten Shutters
You can enhance your window openings by buying factory-made pairs or save a bundle by building your own
Flag Hanging Dos and Don'ts: A Comprehensive Guide
Honor Old Glory by following the Flag Codes proper display guidelines. In this article, we explain proper flag hanging dos and don'ts.
How to Install a New Storm Door in an Old Opening
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva hangs a new storm door in an old opening
How to Install a Bluestone Landing on a Front Entry
This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook upgrades an old brick with bluestone slabs
How to Upgrade a Concrete Urban Patio
This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook transforms an old, ugly city slab into an urban oasis
How To Repair a Rusted Wrought Iron Railing
In this guide, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows you how to repair a rusted wrought iron railing for your front staircase.
How to Choose Materials for a Stone Wall
Discovering the wide world of stones with This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook
How to Install Exterior Trim Around a Stone Chimney
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to custom-fit PVC trim to a stone surface
How to Build an Address Plaque Post
This guide will walk you through the process of building and installing a DIY address plaque post for the outside of your house.
Making Modern Windows Work in a Historic Home
The trick to renovating a historic home is to use replacement windows with authentic period details, like Marvin Windows
How to Install an Aluminum Storm Door
A tightly weatherstripped storm door can reduce air leakage around a front door by as much as 45 percent
Picking the Perfect Exterior Paint Colors
The owners of the current TOH TV house used period illustrations, expert advice, and modern technology to find the right hues for their home
How to Build a Pathway Lamppost
Pick up some stock cedar and a hanging lantern to construct a custom garden fixture
In-Ground Flagpole Installation
Follow these instructions to let your patriotic spirit fly from your front lawn with this DIY flagpole installation project.
Everything You Need to Know to Upgrade Front Door Hardware
Freshen up your home's entryway with new front door hardware to increase both the curb appeal of your home, and its security.
How to Make a Window Box with Vintage Trim
Wrap curvy door casing around a plastic planter filled with bright blooms for cheery window decoration
How to Design an Entry Garden
Plan a front-yard landscape that boosts curb appeal and welcomes you home
Filling Rotted Trim with Two-Part Epoxy
Durable and flexible epoxy is the best way to restore crumbling woodwork