The front door makes a big impression—it's the first and last thing visitors see. Painting your door is a quick and low-cost way to instantly boost curb appeal. Whether you go with a stately classic like black or a bright pop of color like yellow or red, a fresh coat of paint will instantly spiff up a tired exterior.

Related:  10 Welcoming Front Door Paint Colors

Sometimes all you need to do is add decorative elements to transform a space from blah to beautiful. This front porch becomes a bona fide extra room in warm weather, thanks to the addition of a rug, outdoor furniture, throw pillows, and plants. What a great first impression for anyone who arrives at the door!

Related: 9 Budget-Friendly Ways to Revive Your Porch for Summer

Add a little art to the front of your home with a DIY house number upgrade. This graphically assertive sign required just a board and a little paint that was already on hand, along with some stencils for the numbers. The results are bold—the pizza delivery guy will never miss this house again.

Related: 11 House Numbers to Count On for Curb Appeal

Practical components like utility boxes and gas meters are a necessary evil, but do they have to be so ugly? Actually... no. Camouflage your service points by painting them with exterior paint in a shade that matches your siding. They may not completely disappear, but they will definitely blend in, improving the overall look of your home.

Even though your side yard doesn't sit in front of your house, most are visible enough from the street to make an impression on passersby. Creating a small, modestly planted landscaping bed makes this often overlooked space appear tidy and well maintained, and adds charm to your yard. The cheerful transformation shown here was accomplished with some inexpensive edging, weed barrier, mulch, and plants. Anyone can do this. (Yes, you too!)

Fresh, new shutters can almost instantly enhance your home’s curb appeal. Swapping these weary, boring white eyesores for some new board-and-batten cedar shutters made a huge impact on this facade.

Related: 5 Things to Do With... Wood Shutters

A modern pathway makeover doesn’t have to be expensive or require professional labor. This walk was installed right on top of the old concrete path. The project can be completed in a half day, using simple tools and supplies from a big-box hardware store. The result is a sensational improvement that makes the house even more welcoming.

Related: The Right Path—15 Wonderful Walkway Designs

The mailbox may not seem like a big contributor to curb appeal, and it's often just an afterthought in home construction. But you can’t deny that this stately upgrade makes a big difference in this property's street-side impression. This makeover is so much easier than it looks, accomplished by simply fitting a cast-stone surround over a 4x4 post.

If you're interested in more makeover ideas for your home exterior, try:

7 Easy Budget-Friendly Backyard Makeovers

10 Simple "Under $60" Curb Appeal Updates for Any Home

8 Exterior Paint Colors That Might Help Sell Your House