Being a REALTOR®, I should have the best home on the block with perfect curb appeal. But, not so much. Don’t all real estate experts preach about ‘curb appeal?’ Of course we do. And I’ve got it. Please excuse the Christmas lights still strapped around my tree, hoping the overgrowth covers it up.

Color Yourself A’New

A fabulous front door is a must-have. Yes I’ve got it. I like to call it an “Ombre” door. A little direct sunlight and sha-zaam!–it emits a fabulous effect from dark to light, to oh, so washed out.

OK, I know it’s time for a change. Practice what you preach, right? But, it’s not only me. Life gets very busy and we forget everything everyone else sees. But now’s the time for us all. Before you mulch and before you landscape, brighten up your front door with new paint! I will, too. (Deal?)

For a small cost, you can add amazing curb appeal with a simple coat of fresh paint. In fact, try something new. I have a friend who paints her door a different color every spring and repaints it a different color every fall.

Get A Handle On It

Don’t feel like spending the money on a new spiffy door handle? Take off the old and spray paint it with a metal paint. Doing so will get you through another year and makes a huge difference.

Planter Proportions

A $10 quart of paint on your entry door can do wonders. Set it off with a pair of matching planters on each side of the door with colorful flowers. The best tip I have for planters: go large or forget about it. You almost cannot go too large with front door planters. Take a step back and look at your planters from the street. Your 3-inch round pots with a few tulips protruding looking more like a Matisse painting of sorts from afar? Can’t quite make out what is growing there from the street? As I said, go large or you just won’t see it.

Bring on the big ferns if you have a shaded front porch. No shade? How about a couple of tall planters with maiden grass? Think black planters with tall green grasses swaying in the wind.

You get the picture. Bring on the drama. Summer has sprung my friends—and your front door can have as much life and vitality as the season surrounding it.