(StatePoint) If your home exterior looks “blah,” National Curb Appeal Month in August is the time to borrow successful ideas from builders.

“Builders avoid the cookie cutter look with simple siding, railing, porch and trim tricks,” says Patrick Graham, strategic product manager with Weyerhaeuser Distribution

To make your home stand out, try these tips:

• Mix it up. Try mixing different siding and trim products, such as pairing low-maintenance PVC trim pieces from Ply Gem together with fiber cement siding from a company like James Hardie. Combine cedar lap siding with fiber cement shingle panels, or mix vertical board and batten panel-type engineered wood siding with stucco-style panels. There are no set style rules; let your home’s personality be your guide.

• Make a statement. Add visual sophistication with a few trim tricks. For example, use thicker trim at the gables to make them pop. Or, mix trim widths to emphasize windows and doors. A new stand-out front porch area on the home with an easy-care cedar floor and vertical cable railing can add an extra punch of curb appeal to any home exterior!

 This National Curb Appeal Month, take steps to make your home exterior pop.