1Use a yard edger.
travelpixpro//Getty Images It may sound basic, but cleaning up the edges of your lawn—in addition to keeping it mowed—creates a cleaner look, and instantly smartens up footpaths, and actual curbs.
SHOP YARD EDGERS
2Plant rose bushes.
KIM CORNELISON Rose bushes are classic yard-improvers. They're relatively easy to care for, grow well in most parts of the U.S., and of course they look and smell great. It's a simple move that will elevate your curb appeal.
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3Build a stone pathway.
James Merrell Lay a simple stone pathway that weaves through your lush yard or garden. It's easy to create and makes a great addition to any home.
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4Display planters.
SARAH ELLIOTT Frame your front walkway with a pair of earth-tone planters. It creates a naturalistic effect that goes well with most landscaping.
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5Hang a greenery garland.
BRIE WILLIAMS The addition of this garland of greenery wrapping along the front porch blends the yard and house into one cohesive concept.
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6Use front porch bunting.
BRIE WILLIAMS Decorate your front porch with colorful bunting to add an extra dimension to your home's curb appeal.
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7Grow hydrangea bushes.
ALEC HEMER 8Add a flower bed border.
Jenna Burger Design 9Hide your A/C unit.
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10DIY a water feature.
Hometalk Not everyone has a pond or stream on his or her property. But installing a water feature doesn't take a ton of money—and it does wonders for any outdoor aesthetic. Here, an iron tea pot and an old whiskey barrel team up to make one gorgeous DIY fountain waterfall.
Get the tutorial at Hometalk.
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11Give your garden hose a home.
DIY Candy This DIY hose holder completely camouflages all of that tubing and serves as a planter. Carpentry not your thing? This DIY fencepost hose-holder may be more your speed.
Get the tutorial at DIY Candy.
12Make a path for high-traffic areas.
Ohio Thoughts Blog This blogger needed a walkway in between her back door and garage. She made this one using salvaged wood beams and concrete.
Get the tutorial at Ohio Thoughts.
RELATED: More DIY Garden Paths
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13Link points of interest with a path.
Funky Junk Interiors Use reclaimed pallet wood to add some character to an underutilized corner or connect two points of your backyard.
Get the tutorial at Funky Junk Interiors.
14Design your edging layout with temporary spray paint.
Getty Images 15Light up the night.
John Cullen Lighting Not only is landscape lighting aesthetically pleasing, it also increases safety by making sure paths (and obstacles) are visible after sunset. For inspiration, check out UK-based John Cullen Lighting (pictured here).
Get a tutorial at Lowe's.
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16Go heavy on the evergreens.
Flickr Creative Commons/Cliff Opt for evergreens like boxwood shrubs—often used in formal landscaping—to give your yard color year-round.
Get the tutorial at Gardening Know How.
17Use a retainer.
Flickr Creative Commons/Armcon Precast Retaining walls can help define flower beds, create visual areas of interest, and, most importantly, prevent soil erosion.
Get the tutorial at A Crafted Passion.
18Get on island time.
Mike's Backyard Nursery Gardening expert Mike McGroarty planted herbaceous perennials and trees of varying heights—lavender twist red bud tree and a laceleaf weeping Japanese red maple—to form this "island" in his front yard.
Get the tutorial at Mike's Backyard Nursery.
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19Clean your walkway.
Rain on a Tin Roof Sometimes, all it takes is a good cleaning to get your sidewalk looking like new.
Get the tutorial at Rain on a Tin Roof.
20Rock on!
Oh My! Creative This spiral border contains a small vegetable garden using a variety of similarly sized rocks in complementary colors.
Get the tutorial at Oh My! Creative.
SHOP RIVER ROCK
Erin Cavoto is the Editorial Assistant at ThePioneerWoman.com, covering food, holidays, home decor, and more.
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