10 Things People Think Add Curb Appeal—But Don’t
Not everything trending on Pinterest actually makes a yard look better. Some projects seem like a good idea but end up creating more visual noise or extra maintenance without adding real value.
Fake Grass Rugs on the Porch
They seem low-maintenance, but they trap dirt and get gross fast. They also hold moisture and can damage the surface underneath.
Plus, they never really match the actual grass. It ends up looking more like outdoor carpet than a polished upgrade.
Wreaths on Every Window
It’s one thing to do this at Christmas. Doing it year-round makes the house feel like a showroom.
They’re hard to keep clean and symmetrical, and most people don’t notice the effort—it just feels busy. Focus on the entry instead of decorating every pane of glass.
Plastic Shutters That Don’t Match the Windows
Tossing up cheap shutters might seem like a shortcut to curb appeal, but if they don’t line up with the window shape or look too small, they do more harm than good.
They draw the eye in all the wrong ways and cheapen the overall look. If you’re going to do shutters, size and fit actually matter.
Tiny Water Features by the Door
Those tabletop fountains always look good online—but in person, they’re either dry, dirty, or buzzing with mosquitoes.
They need constant maintenance to stay clean, and they rarely make enough visual impact to be worth it. Skip the gimmicks unless you’re really going to commit.
Extra Tall House Numbers
Big, modern numbers can look nice—if the house style supports it. On a country home, they can feel totally out of place.
They draw unnecessary attention to one little spot and can actually feel jarring. Stick with sizes and styles that match your house.
Fake Rock Covers
Using plastic rocks to cover utility boxes or pipes is tempting, but they never really blend in.
They usually look too perfect and end up being more noticeable. If you want to hide something, plant around it or build a small screen instead.
Fancy Fence Caps
Copper or solar fence post caps might seem like a quick boost, but they fade, break, and get uneven fast.
Simple wood caps or no caps at all often hold up better and look cleaner long-term. Not everything needs a fancy topper.
Decorative Gravel in the Wrong Spot
Gravel can look good, but tossing it around the base of a mailbox or in skinny flower beds just looks random.
It often spreads, looks messy fast, and can make the space harder to mow or trim. Use it where it makes sense—not as filler.
Porch Curtains
Unless they’re in perfect condition and hung just right, they end up sagging, mildewed, or blowing awkwardly in the wind.
They might seem cozy, but they rarely hold up well unless you’re replacing them regularly. Most people don’t maintain them long-term.
Too Many Potted Trees
Big pots with little trees seem like a shortcut to greenery, but unless they’re watered constantly and have room to grow, they’ll struggle.
Most of the time they end up rootbound or half-dead by the end of summer. Stick to things that are actually built for containers.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
