How to Give Your Mailbox a Makeover

Mailboxes are often the first part of your home that a person sees—you only get one chance to make a first impression, and the impact of a great mailbox should not be underestimated. All else being equal, a visually arresting mailbox can only increase the curb appeal of your home to a potential buyer. A weatherworn, rusty mailbox on a rotten post is certainly less inviting than a vibrant, well-kept masterpiece of wood or stone. There’s no shortage of great mailbox makeover ideas to reinvigorate your oft-forgotten postbox.

Paint it.

Paint is a wonderful, quick, and cost-effective way to bring new life to so many things, and mailboxes are no exception. You can use bright, vivid color to welcome visitors to your home, or if you want a more rustic feel, some copper or metallic paint might give your mailbox the vintage look you crave. The possibilities are endless; a worn, rusty mailbox can be given a new lease on life in the space of a few hours.

Buy it.

While many mailbox design ideas fall within the realm of DIY, those who want to invest more in the project or who are less comfortable working with wood or stone may want to call in a carpenter, mason, or brick repair company. You’ll get the reassurance of having a professional tackle your project, allowing for more ambitious designs. Professional contractors are also great to rely on when someone mistakes your mailbox for a parking space and you’re in need of repairs.

Build it.

This requires a few more tools and a bit more know-how than painting, but the results can be thrilling. Building a mailbox out of wood or other materials allows for more freedom, enabling you to create a distinctive landmark on your block. While wood is dandy, turning your mailbox into a brick or stone fortress is hard to beat. It’s immediately visually impressive—don’t be surprised if your neighbors are embarrassed by how ordinary their mailboxes seem by comparison.

Grow it.

In addition to the mailbox itself, the area surrounding it can be transformed to enhance the presentation of your mailbox. Many homeowners create what are known as “mailbox gardens”—small areas planted with flowers, grasses, vines, small shrubs, or other plants. It can instantly make your mailbox more appealing and inviting.

Check it.

The United States Postal Service has regulations that must be followed for the design and placement of mailboxes. You can obtain a copy from your local post office or usps.com. Make sure you’re in the clear—you don’t want frustrated mail carriers tossing your mail all over your lawn in protest.

Protect it.

Being outdoors, mailboxes are subject to constant abuse. Sealing wooden posts or encasing your mailbox in brick are great ways to increase its durability. Unfortunately, the elements aren’t the only potential threat—mailboxes can be common targets for vandalism. Making your mailbox too flashy or over the top could draw unwanted attention. Before you go design the “mailbox that changed the world,” consider that there is value in restraint when upgrading your mailbox.

One of the great things about taking on a mailbox makeover is that it can be as big or as small a project as you’d like. You deserve to be excited about your mailbox, even when it’s empty. If you do it right, you’ll have visitors falling in love with your home before they even set foot across the threshold.