This Inexpensive Curb Appeal Upgrade Is Timeless (and Expert-Approved!)

published Jul 8, 2019

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

Looking to improve your home’s curb appeal without banking the break? Look no further than simply adding some wooden shutters and boxes to your windows. Whether you’re looking for cost-effective ways to get your house in shape to sell or are just after a refreshed look, these simple additions offer a great return on your investment.

“Look for finishing touches that let your home say, ‘I’m worth it’—items like window boxes and wooden shutters can drastically improve curb appeal by adding dimension and color, while increasing property value,” says Clint Robertson, contractor, real estate broker and developer on HGTV’s “Boise Boys” and co-owner of home renovation and design company Timber and Love. “Plus, they are simple and inexpensive to make and install.”

While you can make your own shutters or shop salvage, you also can get ones custom-made. Writer Dana McMahan points out that while renovating her home, she came across The Shutter Store as a great resource for shutters at half the price of other retailers. offers a variety of shutter solutions that will give your home’s exterior an instant boost. They offer four free samples, so you can get a good idea of the color and weight of the shutters before you commit. Use their measuring guide to ensure a proper fit.

Adding flower boxes below your windows, too, is a great way to make your home pop, even if you don’t have a big yard or a lot of landscaping. Ann-Sophie Kaemmerle, a home improvement expert at Neighbor Who, an online background check platform, told Apartment Therapy in April that you don’t even need to have them at every window to make a difference. Just one or two can be enough to add some color and interest to your home’s exterior.

When it comes to the impression your home makes on first glance, these seemingly small additions can add up to a big improvement.

This Inexpensive Curb Appeal Upgrade Is Timeless (and Expert-Approved!)

More great Real Estate reads: