Curb Appeal Trends for 2026

Curb appeal trends are plenty, but what will have staying power, what works with your budget, and even your regional style preferences are worth considering when choosing which updates to make. To help make your home's exterior give the best first impressions, we’ve checked in with an all-star crew of home design experts to outline the curb appeal trends worth investing in for 2026 and beyond.

1. Shades of Green

Sara McDaniel, designer, renovator, and creator of Simply Southern Cottage, says shades of green will be taking home exteriors by storm in 2026. “People are longing to feel connected to nature, and green creates a calming aesthetic to return home to,” she says.

The Louisiana-based home design expert has a favorite shade from Sherwin-Williams: Foxhall Green. This dark, varied green pulls in cool undertones of yellow and slate without being overbearing. “If you can’t afford to update your entire exterior, bring in green through a front door color, adding plants, or using other accents like a welcome mat, pillow, and patio furniture,” she suggests. “Updating your exterior always offers long-term value, signaling a well-maintained home.”

2. Natural Materials

The nature-inspired curb appeal updates don’t stop at an earth green palette. Forest Good, owner and architect of Studio Good Architecture, says that choosing the right materials for your location can help your home age gracefully without fear of a fleeting appeal. “In the Pacific Northwest, we're seeing a strong pull toward natural materials that make a home feel more authentic,” he explains. The finishes and color palettes you choose should work with the surrounding vegetation, rather than against it.

To get it right, the architect suggests leaving the showroom and bringing the materials on site so you can see how they work with your surroundings firsthand. “What reads well in a showroom can feel completely wrong once you're standing next to the trees and stone that surround the house." And always remember to choose quality materials that age well. “The goal is something that looks better over time, not something that needs to be refreshed every few years.”

3. Craftsman-Style Front Doors

Craftsman-style front doors are having a moment in 2026, says McDaniel, who finds their “historic charm and timeless simplicity” to be the main components of their appeal. While you can go all in with a custom-built door by a skilled woodworker if budget allows, McDaniel says opting for a metal option, offered at most local home improvement stores, can help you get the look without such a hefty investment. “A bright, colorful, carefully designed front door can add a pleasing, fresh update for your home while offering long-term value,” she says.

4. Layered Lighting

Ensuring your curb appeal updates keep on shining even after the sun goes down is an important part of the equation. “Lighting seems to have shifted away from being mainly utilitarian, now becoming more integrated into the overall landscape and used particularly to highlight a home at night,” says realtor Debra Dobbs. “I am seeing lighting used as an accessory, like jewelry. These layers of light create beautiful glimmers to showcase a column or brick wall, or other important details of the home or landscape.”

While Dobbs is quick to acknowledge that layered lighting can be quite pricey, she advises choosing one or two spots in your yard where you can make the most impact as a more cost-effective option. “If you have to choose where to spend money for exterior improvements, I would absolutely include a thoughtful lighting plan in the mix,” she says.

5. Hidden Garage Doors

“The biggest shift I'm seeing is clients wanting to hide the garage door,” says Good. “Nobody wants the garage to be the face of the house.” If you’re trying to avoid letting your curb appeal be dominated by a garage door, just know this is a trending update that should be made at the beginning of a new build or extensive renovation.

"Place the garage on the side, adjacent to the utility room that connects to the kitchen,” Good says. “It’s a traditional farmhouse layout that is functional, practical, and respectful to both guests and the street.” Though it can’t be easily achieved in an existing home, keeping this design decision at the forefront of your mind for a future build or renovation can help ensure your home has timeless curb appeal from the start.

6. Landscaping with Native Plants

When thinking about your landscaping needs, consider the path of least resistance and focus your efforts on incorporating native plants. “They require less maintenance and water and adapt better to local soil and climate, making this an obvious choice for updating a garden,” says McDaniel.

If you want to keep it budget-friendly, she recommends doing your own research to find plants that are native to your area, picking them up from a local nursery, and planting them yourself. “On the high end, you can hire an experienced landscape designer and installer to plan an entire garden around natural materials.” Whatever path you choose, the design pro says doing the job right and keeping up with maintenance can add long-term value to your home.

7. Brick Features

Whether patios, foundation borders, or walkways, adding some brick to your curb appeal offers a classic aesthetic, says McDaniel. “On the more spendy end, you can complete an entire sidewalk from bricks,” she says. “On the more affordable end, you can create a walk path out of stepping stones made to look like bricks.” While the home design expert says you can certainly add value to your home with brick design features, it’s also important to keep in mind that proper maintenance should be part of the equation, particularly if you’re looking to add long-term value to your home.

For additional ideas, see https://www.bhg.com/2026-curb-appeal-trends-11932989