Boring brick ranch needs a curb appeal boost
Hi all! We just purchased a 1700 sq ft brick ranch home. The inside has some unique character, so it has potential. But, the front is, well, boring (and quite frankly, ugly). I've included two different pictures. The first is the house prior to us purchasing, but it's in the spring/summer so you get a better idea of what it looks like in the spring/summer. The second picture is of the house from the fall/winter....brown, yucky, etc. The shutters currently are the dark green that you see in the second photo; also, the roof has since been replaced and is lighter in color than the current picture (but still a dark brown).
We have a limited budget for front curb appeal (because we have a lot of work in the back yard and inside to do). But, any ideas to brighten the front, add some warmth and make it look like a home (and not a rental that is starting to look run down).
PS. I know those two tree/shrub things blocking the door need to go.....
Thank you!
Comments (21)
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Please help, need curb appeal for boring L-shaped Ranch
Comments (9)Kelli, this is my amateur opinion and drawing. The roof, the siding and the fascia/rain gutter are all about the same color. The fascia would be better in white. I used black because I couldn't make the white work. The tree near the street is ready to be trimmed up. I think the bed in front looks shallow and the shrubs seem planted too close to the house. I would deepen that bed. I do not care for the extended part of the bed because it blocks the view of the entrance. I would reuse those plants and rework the entrance a bit. I might plant a large shrub in front of the second part of the driveway. People should notice the house more than the driveway and this would hide a bit of it. It is a very attractive house and I would love a three car garage....See MoreBrick Raise Ranch needs curb appeal makeover
Comments (6)I agree with the first two responses; the shutters aren't right and don't match the style of the house (which is nicely proportioned except the brick does come up too high - could be corrected with paint or a strip of added siding.) The lamp post, the screen door, the garage door windows, are all quasi "early American" touches so popular in the 60's and don't suit the house. Think about beefing up the trim around the window sides just a little, instead of shutters, so that the windows make a bit more of a statement & aren' lost in the siding.. You don't have room to do so at top and bottom unfortunately. Then do as the others have said. Slate-y blue is another color that I think works with the brick, but I particularly like Patricia's suggestion. Our suggestions all have one thing in common - gray tones....See More1956 Red Brick Ranch BORING curb appeal
Comments (4)Maybe try adding photos in the comments!!...See MoreBoosting a 1920s Brick Home's Curb Appeal
Comments (14)the brick isn't the issue, the landscape is. Your hedge HAS to GO!! seriously. it blocks the front of the house and does nothing to enhance the yard. spend the money and hire a landscape designer. 90% of your curb appeal will come from that. consider adding some bricks to the cement steps, and flower beds along the side. you can round off the slope of the grass, remove your hedge, do some nice flower beds, a tree, etc. Think English style cottage gardens. roses, small shrubs, pots, (you need a landscaper person for this) the other 10 percent, the roof (I'd do a black or charcoal), replace those windows if you can (the glaring white just doesn't go w/this brick tudor) and try your Urbane Bronze on the trim. Normally these homes had wood doors. if you can't do that, then consider painting yours black or the bronze. I don't mind the black windows, and black trim on your mock up. Here's one similar to yours with a very dark trim and windows. (if yours aren't vinyl, paint them) more of a dark blue/charcoal color and a warmer slate-brown color roof. You could do a type of Schmear or heavy mortar treatment over the brick. And if you want a hedge in front, do the hedges like this! This is one of my favorite brick tudors. notice the door, the trim color and most of all, the landscaping. another one w/landscaping ideas. flower beds and your lawn will be the main appeal Similar style. this is a warmer charcoal roof, the windows and the trim are a medium warm gray color, as is the door. This landscape is rather blah Urbane bronze would be similar to this one. notice the wood door. if you want to paint the brick, go w/Romabio Masonry (not the Classico). Here's a brick tudor style done in a creamy white, soft greige trim/windows and aqua door. Notice the slate walkway. you could easily tile your cement walkway w/a flagstone or slate tile. really looks better than bare concrete. This before and after brick tudor-style was done w/a custom color in Romabio Masonry. look into Faux-Slate roof tiles. they work w/your style. comes in many colors http://www.create-enjoy.com/2021/04/home-tour-classic-brick-tudor-revival.html...See More
acm
5 years agoAgree -- emphasize the front entrance with color, landscaping, etc. I wouldn't mess with the brick, though, as most tweaks will only make it higher-maintenance. Brick looks nice; too bad the new roof is as brown as the last...
You might consider replacing the subdivided front window with a single large pane, which would look cleaner and more modern too.
Jade B thanked acm
chloebud
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoNice house and setting! Agree with Patricia on the shutters and landscaping. If you keep the shutters, at least remove the ones on the large window. Paint the remaining shutters black, and keep your white trim and door. Your brick is classic with white and black. The attached pic is a good example, even though a different style house. However, this one has a gray roof which is easy to work with.
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5 years ago
phuninthesun
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
With your new brown roof, I would add some wood elements (front door, bench). Large porch lights. Widen the path to the front door and add landscape.
Jade B thanked phuninthesunJade B
5 years agoOk, I LOVE the wood front door look and the added front patio space! We spent all weekend working to clear the stuff along the front. It’s coming along....but whew, a lot of work!
phuninthesun
5 years agoFantastic job. If your window frames can be painted, you could go for dark brown or black.
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5 years ago
groveraxle
5 years agoI widened the two lower steps, gave you a new concrete pad with wide concrete steps to the driveway, two red yuccas on the left and a mass planting of ophiopogon japonicus between the pad and the house.
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5 years ago- PRO
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