Curb appeal advice for of our little 70's brick house
Hi! My boyfriend and I recently purchased our first house and are looking for advice on how to the update the exterior of our home. We would prefer not to paint the brick and are looking for affordable options to give the house a little more curb appeal. My boyfriend is very handy, but we are newbies when it comes to picking door/trim colors, landscaping, etc. Any thoughts or suggestions are very much appreciated!
Comments (16)
PROJudyG Designs
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoCould the metal railings be removed? Thinking this green trim (no shutters, though).
I like the plants in the photo.
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Ideas for changing curb appeal of 70s rancher
Comments (19)That Architectures 101 article on "Shudders", suggesting their removal in about every case where shutters are used, keeps being put forth as the final holy dictum on the subject. Personally, I reject it, thinking that today's use of shutters have moved well beyond actual or simulated function and have become, just trim ... another way to add some interest and detail on an otherwise dull and bland box. Accept it as the maxim if you will, but I think this shutter removal fad will run its course in another decade or so and start to be mentioned in the same way as "that's so 70's" ... or whatever decade you want to comment about that has little to offer today. Can't figure out why someone would say that landscape beds need to be serpentine. That can't be true because there are countless instances where it couldn't possibly work or be good. And the snakey serpentine is almost always bad. The bed line should geometrically fit the occasion. It's usually straight lines, curves, or a combination of the two. Maybe some angles thrown in. There is no blanket rule that fits all houses. The foundation planting does not seem to fit well to the house. It seems to have the urge to smother the house, but seems also to be simultaneously suppressed in its endeavors. The unbroken roof comes across as an uninteresting element and the house seems exposed. Some small trees off of the corners would help these conditions. the burning bush off of the right corner could be such a small tree, but this one is most likely too close to the house for that. The stoop could stand to be larger and not smothered by plants. A clearer path from the drive to stoop would help, too. The yard overall seems exposed so maybe some street trees could be fit in, too....See Morehelp the curb appeal of a little old brick house in shabby shape
Comments (17)Great little house. Porch enclosures were usually done to prevent snow build-up. Unfortunately, said enclosures ruin the home's appearance. If you restore the porch, do so with consideration of the weather; never "shovel" snow from a wood surface / never use salt / avoid any type of mat or rug on wood. Open wood porches are THE most demanding (in terms of maintenance) part of a home....See MoreHelp improve our house’s curb appeal
Comments (6)You have a lot going on with all the different roof lines and windows and columns. I think what's throwing me off is the two-tone white and brown. I think if all the white and brown was just one colour it might simplify your house visually and bring out the beautiful architecture. At first I thought to paint it all white but then I thought maybe a darker tone of your roof colour. Not sure. As for the ivy, yes, remove it. It covers your red brick and makes the bottom part of your house look squat. Remove it and the bottom red brick will visually be in more proportion. You have a lovely house, the roof line is really cool! Good luck!...See MoreCurb Appeal update 70's high ranch
Comments (18)You may want to investigate how to change the stain color. It might be hard to go from dark to light. Here's a chat (random advice) https://www.bobvila.com/posts/9355-stained-wood-siding-can-we-change-the-color When you say you need to paint, which surfaces do you mean, the stained wood, the door, the garage door? Can you repaint the window trim or is that white vinyl? I love groveraxle's pics (!) but some of them show different windows--not sure if you're in the market for that....See More- PRO
JudyG Designs
5 years ago 
Olychick
5 years agoYour house is already very high in curb appeal. Cute! Lucky find for your first home. Have fun with it. That green that JudyG posted is fabulous with the brick. And your brick is an attractive color to keep. Trick would be whether you can paint out all the white on your windows. It would not look as good with partial white trim anywhere. Black or navy blue are also very nice with brick.
I would check code to see if you even need the railings and remove them if you don't. Here are two similar to yours with no railings. Also showing beefier posts.
Not suggesting this yellow door, however, just the porch with no railings.
raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
5 years ago
Car Mun
5 years agokeith Dcil
5 years ago
emmarene9
5 years agoWhen it comes to something like first impressions I think opinions vary due to geography and age of the viewer.
I don't know where you are so my old lady from California ideas may not appeal to you.
I think the path is quite charming and would not want it partially hidden by the front bed bordering it. I would plant grass there.
I think the railing looks like a jail on such a small house. I would remove it.
The shrubs in the stone planter look to me like what I consider foundation plants. I suspect they will grow too large there. I would remove them. Perhaps they can go on the side of the house that is not visible.
I would plant low perennials and leave room for annuals in the planters.
I like the suggestion of green trim above except it looks like you may have a blue roof. If that is so I would stay with white trim.
I threw in some little plants with red foliage in front of the porch. I like them with the brick.
Lighting around the path would be nice since one of you is handy.
Car Mun
5 years agoCar Mun
5 years agocat_ky
5 years ago
ShadyWillowFarm
5 years ago
raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio