Affordable Improvement : Add curb appeal

Brick borderA brick border adds color and charm to a bland concrete sidewalk or driveway.Photo by Shawn Nielsen and Craig McNitt

Tired of a shabby, uninspiring front entry? Take heart. You can totally transform it with a series of small accents and minor changes that will impress your guests, please the neighbors and, perhaps most important, make your house a more pleasant place to come home to. All are easy to do and cost little.

Begin with paint. Renew your trim and siding (if painted) and take a hard look at your front door. If it's the primary feature, consider painting it a strong color. Color choice can be difficult, so look in magazines and at other doors in your neighborhood for ideas you like.

Then buy new accessories, like the house number, mailbox and light fixture. In most cases a screwdriver is the only tool you'll need to install them. Also replace the door handles and latch if they're worn.

Next, spruce up the approach to the front door. If you have a plain concrete walk or driveway, choose one of our favorite upgrades: Add a simple border of bricks, or other pavers, depending on the style of your home. Dry set them (no mortar) on a firmly tamped base. For lasting results, dig a trench about 5 in. deep. Add 2 in. of compacted gravel such as “class V.” Cover the gravel with an inch of sand and set the bricks.

Cost: Paint, numbers, mailbox, etc., less than $100 total; bricks or pavers $3 per sq. ft. and up.

Time: One or two weekends.

Simple Front Entry Upgrades

A fresh coat of colorful paint and

updated hardware on your front door

give your home a quick face-lift.