Photo By: Photographs by Sarah Dorio Homeowners Tim and Lindsey say, "We fell in love with the Cape Cod style and the paint colors. We added the retaining wall — the granite matches the house's original basement-level walls." The white wooden pieces under the gable trim above the front door are purely for looks. Try this idea by mounting newel post ball caps, typically used on stair railings. Double up on classic style with a pair of lantern fixtures flanking the door. The symmetry looks great with the duos of urns, pilasters and railings around the entry. Retaining walls made of stone, brick or concrete can shore up the layers of a sloping yard and define flower beds. The main bed, bordered by a granite retaining wall, is filled with purple 'Wave' petunias, while fountain grass grows near the house's large front window. Crape myrtles, which bloom all summer long, make a beautiful, low-maintenance tree. Historically used on barns and farmhouses, board and batten shutters have a more laid-back feel than louvered versions.

Homeowner Kathlee Kohl says, "I painted the front door blue to brighten up the entrance. And I like the rockers because they make the house feel so welcoming." These weathered copper gutters blend in with the dark trim — a good camouflaging trick when you don't want them to stand out. The planters by the door are square zinc containers filled with round boxwoods and trailing variegated ivy. A no-fail window box combo: bright impatiens and foxtail ferns. Put plants in a plastic liner that fits inside the copper box and lifts out for easy care. Choose one that picks up a feature, like an arch, found elsewhere on your house. A coat of sky-blue paint plus hardware with an antique brass finish make an arched-top, cottage-style door look even more charming. Cheery blue hydrangeas line the front of the house. They do well in partial shade, sheltered from the wind. A polyurethane finish protects wooden rockers from the rain, heat and sun. Pillows with pretty all-weather fabric cases soften the seats of wooden rockers.

Homeowners Jim and Kimberly Steele say, "The neighborhood has such an eclectic feel. No two houses are the same. We love our small front yard with the picket fence — it complements our cottage." Prebuilt fences are a fast way to boost yard charm — buy a wood one and paint it any color. You can have awnings customized, which makes them easy to add to existing windows or doors. This version matches the bay window roof. The Steeles' yard has four types of shrubs: Lantana grows behind the fence. By the door, a dwarf-variety Japanese maple is planted behind vinca major (the one with the white flowers). English laurel fills the bed against the house. Potted in a half barrel along with sweet potato vine, gardenias, which bloom from midspring into summer, perfume the entry to the home. Topped with outdoor cushions in happy hues like lime green and reddish orange, this eucalyptus wood bench can stand up to all kinds of weather. "The front porch is great for entertaining.

And I'm partial to the all-green landscaping — it's calm and simple," says homeowner Bob Dimm. Dwarf yaupon holly shrubs for shape, drought-tolerant monkey grass for borders and fescue grass for the lawn create a manicured look with minimal upkeep. A spiffy pattern elevates a brick walkway to a path with panache. beach wedding decor ideasA professional installer will know how to lay pavers in lots of patterns, from basket weave to herringbone.christmas table decorations black There's just something about full-length shutters flanking tall French doors that says "welcome home." room decorations for sistersMatch the dimensions of each shutter to the dimensions of each door.diy wall decor simple

Consider hanging address numbers on a front porch stair riser. These shiny brass versions come with their own mounting hardware and work on any style home. Comfy all-weather wicker furniture makes any porch the perfect spot for impromptu get-togethers with neighbors. Spiky Japanese yews, which like shade, are potted in cast-stone urns just under the overhang. cheap wedding decorations for churchThe Best Paint Color for Your Zodiac Signchristmas decoration ideas door They say it's the inside that counts, but these homes are pretty stylish on the outside too. Alpine LodgeAlpine LodgeA Lake Tahoe retreat decorated by Matt O'Dorisio has a wooden exterior trimmed with copper gutters. White BrickWhite BrickTo "update and clarify" a 1961 house in Houston, architect Ray Booth balanced the original aesthetic with a contemporary point of view. 

Booth tweaked the '60s white-brick facade with new vertical shutters and added a steel-gated front door and custom lantern. 75 Ways to Make an Outdoor Space Look IncredibleGarden Wall IdeasOutdoor Wall IdeasOutdoor Terrace IdeasBackyard Wall IdeasPlants In Pots OutdoorOutdoor WallsDecks BackyardBackyard Zen GardenOutdoor DeckForwardtrends - woody plants in containers....A great entry pathway that would lead to the backyard. Could build it up in nice wood.Warmer temperatures, bright blue skies, and sunny days are luring you outside. And if you're planning to do any of your eating, entertaining, or lounging out there, then it's time to rethink how that area looks and feels. A few square inches can go a long way. Work with what you already own. No garden or greenery? From yards and terraces to patios and porches, these easy decorating ideas can work for any spot you have big plans for beautifying. Try these outdoor lighting ideas to illuminate your newly decorated backyard. Country Rustic Star Indoor/Outdoor Wall Decoration