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Need Ideas for adding curb appeal to boring brick townhome.

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I've purchased this townhouse but I absolutely hate the look of the outside. I would love to add shutters but as you can see there is no space for them (horrible layout). And for obvious reasons I cant paint my side. What can I do? Any ideas? Its such an eye sore!

Featured Answer

Olychick

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

along with the great ideas above, you could think about adding a decorative awning above your front door...something like this:

I'd remove the storm door and get a new, weatherproof door in a great color that makes you happy.

Also, I don't know if you're allowed to change the color of the windows by painting them, but I think black would look wonderful with your brick:

Also, unless it's prohibited because of access issues, I'd figure out some way to hide the garbage can...even a screen like this:

There are a zillion ideas on pinterest.

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Comments (6)

lisaam
7 years ago
You could find a really pretty screen or storm door, a handsome light fixture, hang a planter basket off the railing, then weed and add some new shrubs and flowers to the 2 level grassy areas. It'll be lovely. Congratulations on your home purchase!
Sha Jones thanked lisaam
roarah
7 years ago
I too could not fit shutters to my house so we added a few flower boxes for interest. You could even just add a large box under the double window by the door. New grass sod, mulch, plants , a flower pot on the stoop and if budget allows a new door will go far in adding appeal!

congrats on your new digs!
Sha Jones thanked roarah
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That screen door has got to go. If you need some extra light in the house but want a door, a full glass door might look better. Also, i don't know about the things on the wall next to the door. Paint all the trim white I also painted the brick just above the top windows to mix it up a bit. Add some house numbers, paint the top of the columns white, all the trim white (including the window on the porch), add some shutters, a hanging light over the door, some hanging baskets and window boxes on the porch and top windows. Please don't add awnings, this isn't the 70's. If you're feeling crazy, maybe a fan over the sitting area and lights on the front of the posts. A nice vintage mailbox might be nice too. Oh and pressure washing. LOTS of pressure washing.
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You have a nice wide path to the door. My first reaction was to think of what not to do. I have often seen in gardens like this a barricade of plants hiding access to the stairs. Like below. I have a personal dislike for this type of landscaping. Do you like gardening and how much time do you want to spend maintaining it? I see shade from what I presume is a tree. Could you post a photo that shows the tree? What is the tree off the left corner? As to the house, it is very nice and does not need to change. If you want to try something different you could paint the door a color and paint the garage doors a khaki or beige to make them less prominent.
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Yes. I've saved all the suggestion pictures. My husband and I are going to sit down and try to draw out what we are thinking for the landscaping (location, colors, etc). I'd like to lay it out so that it's ready for the addition of the walkway. We aren't going to be able to replace the front door at the moment. Is paint a terrible idea for a short-term upgrade? If paint is an option, what are your thoughts on paint color for the door? And the shutters....I'm not 100% sold on removing them (we are in south Ga so the shutters keep the southern feel). If we keep shutters, do you have a suggestion on color? I want the front of the house to really pop.
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Suezbell Thank you. very good suggestions. I will definitely add another walkway -that makes sense and I never thought of that. It could easily be done with flagstone or something. Another struggle is between the house and the existing sidewalk it is such a small area. It may be too small for anything other than flowers so having a multilayer of landscaping would allow me to still put in some boxwoods or something still. I'm trying to picture the porch in front as you mentioned. It's not a bad idea. We actually have a large shared pond in back with most of our acreage being in front and side (like a piece of pie shape). We have 5 little children so we keep the play set and trampoline in front of the house, volleyball net on the side... Not ideal but keeps them safe away from the water. We have a beautiful view in the back yard with large windows and a nice screened in back porch. Just need to bring some beauty to the front of the house. Great ideas. Thank you heres is a pic of the house from the end of our driveway.
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Debbie Downer
7 years ago
Even if you could have shutters would you really want to - I wholeheartedly agree with the above posters, except my order would be:

Doorway first - if the existing door is attractive and/or vintage & original to house then just get a better quality storm door that lets us see it. Or think about whole new door. That really is the very most prominent noticeable thing about your house, and your chance to make an architectural statement. I like the awning too, if it was the right style/color to coordinate w/ door and rails so your entryway feels unified/cohesive.

Then re-do the garden beds - as a gardener Id be itchin to get in there and not just weed, but totally renovate the bed by digging out everything and getting good quality garden soil. Guess Im assuming that if weeds have taken over that means the soil is probably pretty crappy but that may not be the case. Id put in at least one or two SUBSTANTIAL flowering shrubs, perhaps roses. As a gardener that all sounds like FUN to me - but your mileage may vary.

Also concealment of garbage can is a good idea. Whats to the left of your door/stairs, looks like some plants/ shrubberies over there too?.
Sha Jones thanked Debbie Downer
rockybird
7 years ago
This is not an eyesore at all! It has a lot of potential! I agree with everyone else - maybe a painted door in blue or a glass door. I like the decorative modern awning. FLowerboxes, some lanscaping in the front and hiding the trash bin would really make it cute!
Sha Jones thanked rockybird
Sha Jones
Original Author
7 years ago
So many great ideas! Thank you all. I'm excited to give this place some curb appeal!

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