What term can describe the result of this extra effort for this first view of the front of a property? As used above, I would just simply call it the front garden. I think there is a bit of west coast vs east coast different pages thing happening here too. Yardvaark's observation that plenty of people put all their effort out front and have a dog patch out back they would never dream of inviting guests in to is completely valid. Outdoor privacy, found in the back yard not the front, and privacy in general was valued a lot more out west. Much like 'foundation plants' had a certain ethos and design style associated with it, 'curb appeal' these days does too. Inkognito's original question way back at the height of the housing frenzy before the crash was "Is this whole notion that the only reason for working on the way our house and garden is presented is so that we can sell it on detrimental to domestic garden design? Yes it is. As the wealth of working people is clawed away from them in service to the god of vulture capitalism's endless greed for growth and profits, homes are ever more considered their last available investment and asset that will likely have to be sold off for people to survive their decrepitude with any amount of dignity. They can never really expect to grow old and die peacefully at home. This is an investment not a home. Not that 'curb appeal' implies completely ignoring everything else, but when it becomes a primary and most valued focus of applied residential landscape design, is it driving standard residential landscape design towards the banal beige of real estate agents wet dreams? When does it really become just another form of capitalist consumption that has to be changed out every so often like paint and wallpaper to keep things fresh? What about real homes and a sense of place? What about real gardens filled with life and individual personality? "Oh great. You have fabulous curb appeal. Do you garden?" Added: Yes you can read this as an extreme take on things. Few things are that black and white or all inclusive. It's not like the term 'curb appeal' makes my skin crawl. There is also a valid need to stage homes when they go on the market. It's more about how the ethos contained in this thinking takes hold and affects people's thinking and expectations about what gardens are really for. No matter, there will always be the Hyacinths who continue keeping up appearances.

Congratulations on your marriage and your new house. This forum unfortunately doesn't get much traffic. There are quite a few requests on the Home Decorating forum for assistance in improving curb appeal, so I think you should post there. Some of the folks there do a great job with photoshopping ideas. But before you do repost there, I think this info would be helpful: - Pictures of the front with the new raised beds - How far from the house is that tree in the front of the house? You need some planting on the right side between the windows. But what will depend on the tree.

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?.

Don't add too many fake elements to your house--expensive and there are other ways to add some depth to the house. Some ideas: --Get a much more substantial portico and pillars for the front entry. --If you're in a hot, dry climate, creating a front garden for the entire space where your lawn is would really beautify the house. A local small garden center can design and supply you with native plants and hardscaping that work for your climate. If you have great foundation plants on the left, you don't need to muck up the siding with stone façade. --Paint the house all one color instead of breaking it up. Add a bright front door to make it stand out. --