Whether getting ready to put a home on the market or just looking for ways to better protect a home’s value, curb appeal remains one of the easiest ways to make a property feel more inviting and potentially more valuable. Boosting curb appeal doesn’t have to mean taking on a costly renovation project.
Thumbtack’s newly released “2026 Curb Appeal Report” found homeowners are increasingly focused on small outdoor upgrades that improve how their homes look, feel and function. But this year’s trend is about more than simply keeping up appearances.
“It’s less about maintaining perfection and more about self-expression,” says Kendra Sinclair, home trends expert at Thumbtack. “It’s more about: How do I inject some self-expression into the front of my property?”
It’s about creating a more customized look, whether that’s through the use of personalized accents—like a colorful or terracotta planter near the entryway, outdoor pillows or cushions for color pops, or window boxes filled with seasonal flowers.
The report, based on a survey of 1,000 homeowners, found most owners are spending between $100 to $500 on outdoor upgrades this year. Here are five budget-friendly ways homeowners can improve curb appeal.
1. Repaint the front door
Your front door is often one of the first things guests notice. A fresh coat of paint can instantly update a home’s appearance and create a polished first impression. Design experts say homeowners are increasingly moving away from cool grays and embracing warmer tones, earthy neutrals and bold greens.
Related: 3 Ways to Use Paint to Revive a Dated Home
For many homeowners, the front door is one of the easiest DIY projects and often costs less than $100 to repaint, Sinclair says. “It can totally transform how your house pops when someone walks or drives by,” she says.
2. Refresh landscaping
Thumbtack found nearly two-thirds of homeowners are updating plants, flowers or greenery this year. Fresh landscaping can send the message: This property is well-cared for.
Simple updates can include:
- Fresh mulch around flower beds
- Seasonal flowers near walkways
- Pruned shrubs and trees
- New planters near the front entrance
Sinclair says ornamental grasses are increasingly popular because they offer year-round visual interest while requiring relatively low maintenance. “I love a zebra grass or Karl Foerster” feather reed glass, she says. “They tend to work across climates.”
3. Upgrade outdoor lighting
Outdoor lighting can be one of the most overlooked curb appeal improvements but can dramatically improve both appearance and functionality.
Simple additions like solar-powered pathway lights, updated porch fixtures or subtle landscape lighting can make a home feel more inviting in the evening hours.
Sinclair says lighting upgrades can also improve safety while highlighting landscaping, architectural details and spotlighting outdoor gathering spaces.
4. Add small pops of color
More than 40% of homeowners say they’re adding color accents to their outdoor spaces this year, according to Thumbtack’s survey. From painted shutters to colorful planters and statement front doors, homeowners are moving away from playing it safe and adding more personality to their exterior design.
“Warm tones and creamy whites for the body of the house, paired with bold greens and browns for accent areas, are especially popular right now,” says Juliano Da Cruz, a Thumbtack Pro Advisory Board member and operations manager at Paint LAB Painting.
5. Create a backyard sanctuary
One major finding from Thumbtack’s survey is that homeowners increasingly want outdoor spaces designed for relaxation, spending time with family and gardening. Patios, seating areas, privacy fences and backyard retreats are becoming bigger priorities.
“The goal is really around comfort and a sense of escape—taking your inside approach to life and bringing it outside,” Sinclair says.
Even simple additions like a porch chair, small bench, cozy seating area or string lights can help transform underused outdoor spaces into areas people want to spend time in.
