Start by cleaning up what you already have: mow, edge the beds, prune overgrown shrubs, and lay 2 to 3 inches of fresh mulch. That alone transforms most front yards in a weekend for under $200.
Then add a few high-impact touches. A pair of planters flanking the front door costs $100 to $300 planted. A repainted front door is $50 in paint. Solar path lights run $20 to $40 each, or a low-voltage kit is $150 to $300 and looks better. Together these read as a deliberate design rather than a collection of fixes.
If you want to go further with new beds or a tree, test the layout first on a photo of your house using AI front yard design before spending on plants.