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Landscape Design Design Dilemma Exterior

Wanting to Update Home's Exterior

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Hello! I'm wanting to complete some small improvements outside of my home and want to hear your thoughts. My ideal home is a mid century ranch but I don't foresee that in my future anytime sadly. Help me update my current home. Should I remove my shutters? I know my landscaping needs some desperate help too (what would you do with it)? I have matching outdoor sconces like the one near my front door for the garage (just has been too cold getting them installed). Door color? Thank you for any and all help! :)

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JudyG Designs

6 years ago

Cute, cute, cute! Hard to come up with something wrong (except the landscaping, but that is not my thing).

I guess I would paint the front door black and invest in a new garage doors. The door that is there is okay, but I think windows would do a lot for that side of the house.

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Comments (9)

sarah_bates84
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you, Judy! I do agree that the garage needs an updated door. Great suggestion and I love the ones you posted!
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Eliminating the curved elements of the facade would help to modernize it- the arched windows ( are they new? ) , the curved brick walls along the sides of the garage and right front of the house. Simplifying the exterior, removing the boxed out structure in the garage gable, removing the trim pieces along the garage wall, squaring off the garage door openings, all would update the appearance. Have you decided on a budget?
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Cute house. I like lighter colors in hot sunny climates, since they do a better job of reflecting the suns heat. Dark gray just sound hot, even with the shading that you have. How do you feel about pastels? Given the vintage of your house, it wouldn't have been unlikely for it to have originally been pink, or yellow, or mint green. Are you familiar with the imaging tools offered by paint manufacturers? You can upload a photo of your house and use tools to define areas for painting ("wall", "trim", "door") and then try out different colors. They are pretty easy to use. Here's a link to Benjamin Moore's but most brands have something similar.
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You could certainly paint your Hardie siding. I wouldn't replace perfectly good siding just for aesthetic reasons. And that style, while appealing, will also quickly date a home. Please don't do what everyone else is doing, that gets old really quick. Your house is lovely. But I agree, the color could use a "jump." Have you looked at navy homes? It would look fabulous with the white trim and your porch... Oh, and paint your downspouts to match the siding.
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That tree nearest the front door should probably be taken out. Match the siding color to some of the brick. Maybe the darker chocolate, much like what the trim is now. The house will appear to be larger if it is not outlined in the contrasting trim. Perhaps one of the Photoshop gurus here will help you "try on" colors. The biggest update, IMO, would be removal of the ALL gravel and rock; replacing it with pretty landscaping. The right landscape plan will lead people from the drive to the front door.
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PRO
Dig Doug's Designs
6 years ago
some ideas
PRO
Yardvaark
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
You may be able to replace the top garage door panel with one that has windows, which would look better. Definitely widen/enlarge the approach to the porch. Currently it is pinched with retaining wall and plants. And expand the walk width. The picture is not much good for exploring landscape possibilities since it shows only what is smack in front of the house, but no surroundings. I would work with the shutters. Also, white trim on a white house does not create a great scene. It would be better to have the house body color be a neutral medium tone (such as a stone color) and then the white trim could stand out.
PRO
Exteriors of Long Island
6 years ago
Sounds bold, but we love a brick red front door on a white home with a black roof!
chloebud
6 years ago
Sarah, your house is much more appealing to me than any MC ranch. In your case I would keep the shutters. Love Judy's garage doors!
gtcircus
6 years ago
I would paint the body of the house a softer color, its too blinding white for my taste. It would really charm up this house.
annied75
6 years ago
White is so classic! I would agree with the others that you just need a couple tweaks -- paint the front door & revamp the landscaping.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
6 years ago
Consider a wall pergola over the revised garage door

Step up the landscaping and add color.

You can't have a ranch house and have it be two stories.

Consider colorful ornamental trees

Consider colorful hostas

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