As autumn chores such as raking leaves and mowing your lawn wane, you may want to take a closer look at your front yard. “Fall is the perfect time to take inventory of what is and isn't working outside your home,” says Kerrie Kelly, creative director of Kerrie Kelly Studio, and NKBA 2026 National Board chair. “Just as we edit our interiors to create a sense of calm and intention, our exterior spaces benefit from the same approach.”
Like any room of your house, outdoor spaces deserve an occasional refresh. “Your front yard is your home's first impression, and removing visual clutter allows the architecture, landscaping, and entryway to shine,” says Kelly. “It's also an opportunity to prepare for winter and create a welcoming environment for holiday guests. Good design is as much about what you take away as what you add.”
Kelly suggests taking a fresh look by standing across the street and looking at your home, as if for the first time. Better yet, take a photo. It’s amazing what you’ll notice! “We often think of clutter as objects but landscape can contribute to that feeling, too.”
Ahead, learn what real estate and design experts say you should get rid of to instantly transform your front yard from untidy to calming.
Tired or mismatched planters
Planters should complement your home's architecture, not distract from it. “Chipped ceramic, faded plastic, or a collection of mismatched containers can make an otherwise beautiful entry feel neglected. Keep a few substantial, well-proportioned planters and fill them with seasonal greenery for a more intentional look,” says Kelly.
Tip: If they’re faded but otherwise in good shape, you can spiff up the pots you have with spray paint for a more cohesive look. Or if they’re in rough shape, repurpose them by turning them upside down inside larger pots so that you don’t need as much potting soil to fill the new pots.
Overgrown shrubs that are swallowing your house
It’s easy to let things get out of control, but if you’ve got a shrub that’s taking over the front of your home, get out the pruners. “I see so many homes where the foundation plantings have completely outgrown their intended space and are covering windows, blocking walkways, or hiding beautiful architectural details,” says landscape designer Katherine Aul Cervoni, founder and principal of Staghorn NYC Landscape Design and The Cultivation by Kat. “While some shrubs can be rejuvenated through pruning, others are simply too large for the space.”
Overflowing gutters
It’s not only bad for curb appeal. Overflowing gutters don’t direct water away from your home’s foundation, leading to potential drainage issues. “Whether it’s DIY or a professional job, keep the gutters clean and consider installing a gutter guard system,” says Alicia McCollum, realtor with Rheinhart Realtors. “No one wants to see tiny plants growing out of the gutters.”
Dead, dying, or perpetually struggling plants
Don’t kid yourself any longer that they’re going to make a comeback. “A half-dead boxwood, a struggling evergreen, or a shrub that’s been declining for several seasons can make an otherwise beautiful landscape look neglected and shabby,” says Cervoni. “If a plant consistently struggles because it’s in the wrong location, diseased, or just spent, removing it is a better long-term solution than continuing to nurse it along.”
Tip: You can compost any dead plants (but dispose of diseased plants or those infested by pests), so they’ll eventually give back to your garden. You don’t need an expensive compost bin; even a simple pile behind the shed will work.
A faded or worn address plate
Whether it’s over the front door or side of the house, address plates wear out, fade, or become hard to read in time. “A refreshed address plate can make a house look better and well-maintained,” says McCollum. It’s also a safety issue because an address that’s not large, clear, and easy to read from the street could delay the arrival of emergency care if you need it.
Dead annuals
Nothing says a season has ended quite like crispy summer flowers still hanging on! “Remove spent annuals and refresh containers with plants suited to your climate and fall temperatures,” says Kelly. Think ornamental grasses, evergreen foliage, and seasonal color. Don’t forget to compost the old plants!
Faded accessories
First impressions count, and everything has a lifespan. “A frayed doormat, faded outdoor pillows, or sun-damaged accessories can undermine an otherwise lovely entrance,” says Kelly. “Replace or remove pieces that no longer serve a purpose, and choose durable materials and timeless colors that complement your home's exterior.”
“Volunteer” trees
Many plants that start out small and unnoticed become trees in time. “Those little weedy trees that pop up in your yard totally uninvited will slowly take it over if you don’t remove them by the roots,” says McCollum. “Deal with them early and often. It’s amazing how quickly an area with a few planned plants and shrubs can end up looking like the Amazon when volunteer trees take over.”
Tip: Many trees that volunteer are invasive species, such as tree of heaven or Asian bittersweet, so you’re protecting native species by stopping these new invasive plants before they can reproduce seeds to continue their spread.
Too many garden accessories
It’s fine to put your personal touch on things, but sometimes less is more! Edit your accumulation of decorative objects such as faded garden flags, weathered signs, and miscellaneous objects that have somehow multiplied over the years. “A few thoughtfully-chosen pieces can add personality, but too many competing or worn, faded elements distract from the plants and architecture,” says Cervoni.
Tip: Donate anything in good repair because someone else may enjoy it. Or store a few and rotate your display so everything’s not out there at once.
Broken or outdated lighting
Landscape lighting should enhance your home's architecture and create a welcoming, safe approach after dark. “Fixtures that are crooked, damaged, mismatched, or no longer working can make a property feel poorly maintained,” says Kelly. Reassess lighting as the days grow shorter this fall, and remove or update faded or broken fixtures, such as cheap solar lights that no longer work.
Excessive seasonal decorations
“I love celebrating the seasons, but there's a fine line between festive and overwhelming,” says Kelly. “Too many pumpkins, signs, wreaths, and decorative accents can compete with one another and obscure your home's natural beauty.” Choose one beautiful wreath, several thoughtfully arranged pumpkins, and seasonal greenery to make a stronger statement than random decorations scattered across your front porch.
Worn-out or unnecessary landscape edging
This little detail can make a big difference: Get rid of plastic edging that’s popping out of the ground, the mismatched bricks lining a flower bed, or the decorative borders that have become crooked and disjointed over time. “These elements make a lovely garden look dated, messy or unnecessarily busy,” says Cervoni. “In many cases, a clean well-maintained edge between the lawn and the planting beds, cut with a shovel or an edger, looks better than an added material.”
Tip: Hand edging is easier to maintain, especially if you like to expand or replant garden beds frequently; plus, cheap plastic edging will eventually end up in the landfill, so cutting by hand is a better way to go for your garden and the environment.
Visible maintenance clutter and unused outdoor items
Garden hoses, empty pots, unused furniture, children's toys, and miscellaneous tools have a way of accumulating near the front of the house. “While these items may be useful, they don't need to be part of your home's curb appeal,” says Kelly. “Store them neatly in a garage, shed, or discreet storage solution.”
Arricca Elin SanSone is a writer, editor, and content creator who specializes in lifestyle and gardening. With a background in health reporting, she applies these same research skills when writing about the science of growing things. She trials new plants in her expansive garden, and her houseplant collection consists of 60+ varieties. Arricca has written thousands of articles for publications such as Country Living, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, VERANDA, Southern Living, and more. She’s happiest when digging in the dirt, baking, or spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
