IT DOESNT COST A FORTUNE TO ENHANCE CURB APPEAL

You know curb appeal when you see it. Care-fully tended flowerbeds piled with fresh mulch. Lush, neatly trimmed hedges. A freshly mowed and edged front lawn. A bright, welcoming front door.

A home with curb appeal exudes a welcome factor that flows from the mailbox to the front door, and can define a neighborhood.

So says Kimberly Lacy, one of the designer hosts of HGTV's Curb Appeal: The Block. Each week, Lacy and the show's dream team find a neighborhood eyesore to make over. Add a little sparkle to the most unkempt home on the block and suddenly everyone in the neighborhood wants to upgrade. At least, that how it usually works on the show.

"No matter what a home looks like on the inside, the outside really represents the personality of the person who lives there," she adds.

However, Lacy says that for most homeowners, curb appeal is an afterthought. "People will spend countless hours agonizing over window treatments, furniture arrangements and color palettes for rooms," Lacy says. "But the exterior is what makes a first impression.  

Start by clearing out old annuals and shrubs, cutting back tree branches, adding flowerbeds and building color. "Once you clean out your flowerbeds, you'll have a blank slate," says Lacy. "Fresh mulch adds instant color to the other perennials."

A big design trend this spring is a mailbox makeover. Start by adding flowerbeds around the mailbox or design a brick-bordered bed around your favorite front-yard tree.

The most inexpensive way to freshen up a home's exterior is paint. Add a splash of color with a fresh coat of paint on the front door. A glossy sheen adds longevity, especially under the harsh rays of the Florida sunshine.

Trim the window panels and shutters in a color that doesn't match the door. And don't be afraid to go bold. "Look at the colors of your home," says Lacy. "If your house has brick, for example, pick colors that compliment the tone without duplicating it."

Even walkway steps can be painted, notes Lacy, who suggests using dark, saturated colors such as gray, brown, black or slate blue. Or, install an attractive brick step path.

A small detail that can make a big difference: Tossing dated cursive house numbers choosing Art Deco or Old English fonts. Match the color and finish with the home's mailbox and mounted lights. Silver, brushed nickel, gold and black are top choices, Lacy adds.

The final step to improving a home's curb appeal is creating a warm and inviting outdoor space in the front yard. That's right, the front yard. Add a bench and lighted walkways that illuminate the yard and make guests feel welcome.

"It's a great way for your home to say. 'Welcome to the neighborhood,'" adds Lacy.