How to Boost Curb Appeal with a Budget-Friendly Paint or Stain Project

Whether you’re looking to purchase a home, recently moved into a new house, staging your home to sell, or longing for an exterior refresh, paint is a simple and affordable way to enhance a home’s curb appeal. Beyond making a great first impression, a fresh coat of exterior paint can also boost your home’s value.

With a little inspiration and insights from BEHR®, your next DIY project could be just a weekend away!

Why Curb Appeal and Colour Selection Matters

Your home’s exterior is the first thing you — and your guests — see. It sets the tone, reflects your style, and offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impression the moment you pull into the driveway.

Whether you’re looking to purchase a new home, just moved in, or are looking to refresh a well-loved home, paint or stain projects are a cost-effective way to boost curb appeal and add long-term value. To help homeowners simplify the colour selection process and amplify the exterior aesthetics of their homes, Behr unveiled its second annual Curb Appeal Collection – a curated collection of 45 hues for every style.

Project Ideas That Deliver Big Impact

According to a recent survey on REMAX.ca, website visitors were asked what exterior paint or stain project they’d tackle first when buying a new home. The top answer, named by 35% of respondents, was the front door, followed by the deck/porch at 21%, and siding/brick/stucco at 17.

For buyers and new homeowners alike, even a small exterior update—like painting the front door, trim, or shutters—can dramatically boost curb appeal and transform a home’s first impression. Don’t be deterred by outdated exteriors; start small, plan thoughtfully, and let a fresh coat of paint make a big impact.

Not sure where to begin when choosing colours that suit your home’s exterior? BEHR has made it easy with the Curb Appeal Collection—a curated selection of 45 colours that pair seamlessly with Cedar, the BEHR 2025 Exterior Stain Colour of the Year. Each palette is designed to work harmoniously with Canadian homes and landscapes. Cedar pairs seamlessly with the Curb Appeal Collection, making it a great choice if you’re updating a deck, pergola, porch, fence, or door, and want complementary paint colours for your siding, shutters, and trim.

To help inspire your next project, the BEHR Curb Appeal Collection makes choosing the perfect colour combinations easy. The following are three big impact projects to start with:

Tips for Choosing Complementary Colours

Colour is always a focus when enhancing a home’s curb appeal—from highlighting design features to setting the tone and sparking emotions that translate into lasting memories. The right colour palette can elevate your home’s curb appeal, make an outdated exterior look brand new, and most importantly, evoke an emotional response. When choosing the right exterior paint, consider the design style of your home, the surrounding landscape, and even the neighboring houses. A cohesive palette like the Curb Appeal Collection creates balance and helps your home stand out in the best way.

Here are a few starting points to guide your choices:

• A desert landscape pairs beautifully with warm neutrals and terracotta tones.
• Lush greenery complements earthy greens, browns, and soft whites.
• Urban settings often benefit from bold contrasts and sleek modern greys.

Curb Appeal Collection was built to take the guesswork out of exterior colour selection. Each palette was thoughtfully designed to work harmoniously together—so first-time homeowners can be just as confident picking combination palettes that look professionally curated.

A Natural Finish with Cedar

To add warmth to your home’s exterior, the BEHR 2025 Exterior Stain Colour of the Year, Cedar, is the perfect choice. Inspired by the natural warmth of cedarwood, Cedar captures the essence of nature and adds a warm, earthy hue. This versatile stain is perfect for a variety of home design styles—from contemporary and minimalist to farmhouse and mid-century modern and is available in both solid colour and semi-transparent finishes.

Visualize Your Exterior Style

To help you visualize how Cedar would pair with the hues within the Curb Appeal Collection, BEHR has created four palettes that appeal to a variety of design aesthetics. Whether your style is traditional, modern, casual, or craftsman, these colours work beautifully across various architectural designs.

Plan with Confidence

Based on a recent survey on REMAX.ca, 42% of users say they feel confident choosing paint colours on their own. If you’re among them, more power to you! If you’re one of the remaining 58% who needs a little help, BEHR has made the process easy. When you’re ready to plan your exterior paint project, explore the visualization tools and planning resources from BEHR to bring your ideas to life. Use the BEHR  Paint & Stain Calculator to estimate how much product you’ll need. BEHR also has a wood stain colour selector to help visualize how stains will look on decks and fences. And if you’re new to staining—or need a quick refresher—BEHR offers a video library full of tips and tricks to help you.

Takeaway for Homeowners

Don’t be discouraged by an outdated exterior; even a small project, such as painting the front door, trim, or shutters, can make a significant impact. By refreshing your exterior paint and boosting your curb appeal, you can create a home that reflects your style and makes you feel proud every time you pull into the driveway. Turn your exterior project vision into a reality by exploring BEHR’s wide assortment of exterior paints and stains – and connect with a REMAX agent to learn which upgrades can help your home stand out.

Choosing the Right Product

When choosing an exterior wood stain, consider products like BEHR PREMIUM® Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Exterior Stain. It offers both aesthetic colour options and protective benefits, including UV, rain, and winter protection. Enhance your wood’s natural patterns while providing increased protection from the elements with Canada’s Most Trusted Exterior Stain Brand*.

When choosing the right exterior paint, consider BEHR PREMIUM PLUS® Exterior Paint and Primer. With over 2,000 colours to choose from, its 100% Acrylic, low VOC formula is designed for a long-lasting finish that resists moisture, fading & stains and provides a mildew and corrosion resistant finish. It’s a high-quality product that delivers exceptional hide and excellent touch-up while also providing comprehensive all-climate protection.

*Voted Most Trusted Exterior Stain Brand based on the 2025 BrandSpark® Canadian Trust Study. Visit https://www.brandsparkmosttrusted.com/