"Front" side door and no curb appeal, pics in the comments
dnell_j
3 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (18)
Denita
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoRelated Discussions
How to handle curb appeal with no walk to front door?
Comments (22)deee - the walk would never be used. The door is used all the time. Just that there is a quicker easier way to get there by our normal walkway that provides a straighter path and allows easy wheelchair/walker access. I guess my original mention of that wasn't clear enough. I don't feel that the $1K+ that a concrete walk or flagstone path (even more expensive) or pavers (super expensive) would cost is money well spent for US at this time. For that curb appeal I can live without, but I still want it to look nice, but absolutely need easy maintenance. We don't have time to maintain gravel, mulch, or compacted granite paths as they all will have weeds within a week where we are at, so I guess I'm looking at options on what to do without to still have it look nice. I got some great ideas here. Just put a landing there with flag stones and let grass grow in between or fill the space in with plants seems to be some common ones and very workable as well. Jan - sure sounds lovely and I wish we had the time to maintain something like it as I would love that too. We will eventually have a gazebo style on the stock pond that is going to be on the side of the house. We just need our little one to be born and grow much older before we dare having the pond that close to the house. There is one the next lot over that has me worried enough. I'm considering checking with the next builder that will be starting a new house in the neighborhood to see if they could get us a concrete walkway for less while doing another house foundation or driveway, but I can't see spending the money unless it is much lower. Wish we had unlimited funds ........See MoreHelp with curb appeal and hidden front door
Comments (28)From your idea book for the front yard, it's clear you prefer a clean, modern, angular design. I suggest changing out the garage door for one with a grid of frosted glass panels. (Search images for "modern garage doors" and you'll see what I mean.) Consider stucco instead of siding. Maybe you can find more modern windows as well. Use the horizontal fence idea to screen the trash cans. Remove the existing driveway and pour fresh concrete scored into a very large grid pattern. Or, use large rectangles of concrete and lay river stones in between. (Again, search for images of "modern concrete driveway" and you will find lots of inspiration, including many with the curve you need.) I agree a modest pergola at the entry will signal where the door is. If you have room for a small trickling pot fountain under the pergola, so much the better. Remove the grass from the parking strip. Figure out where car doors will open if parked on the street -- set large rectangular floating pavers at that point, and plant the other areas with succulents. Top dress around the plants with either thick mulch or a layer of river rock (smooth, flat, rounded stones). Minimize your lawn area. I'd use the corner swath between the sidewalk and the drive for a very large succulent (examples: Agave attenuata, Euphorbia tirucalli "sticks on fire", Aloe petricola) and lower growers around it (Senecio mandraliscae, Graptoveria, etc.) along with some that produce flowers on tall stems (example: Clandrina spectabilis, Kalanchoe thyrsiflora, Anigozanthus falvidum), and maybe some tufted grasses (Muhlenbergia capillaris, Sporobolus aroides, one of the many Carex). If possible, repeat some of the same plants along the house below the windows (I can't tell in the shadows if there is soil for planting or not). Good luck! You can turn this plain Jane into a stunner -- all you need is money, a vision, and more money. Did I mention money? ;-) I hope you will follow up with progress photos....See MoreCurb appeal problem. We don't use our front door
Comments (19)What I would do: (and what would help with curb appeal), is a larger front porch. Then you can place a bench out there--sort of an outdoor mud room. But you don't want folks through the front door, I understand. I'm curious where you live? And you still haven't answered about who are these people who come to your front door, but you'd prefer to have them come through the mudroom. I'm thinking about my own home. We accept UPS packages, the plumber, kids' friends, my friends, the grandparents.... all through the front door. We do have a foyer there though, for the removal of wet things. The only people who actually enter through the other door are kids who are VERY familiar with our household (dogs etc), and who are perhaps mid-playdate with our own kids. You can spend some time reading through other threads in design dilemmas. There has been one within the last week or so about the opposite problem--guests using backdoor when front door is somehow less obvious--though close by. Since your problem is the opposite, and based on your local culture, you can glean the advice and use it to your advantage. (painting front door to match siding so it disappears; removal front walkway; careful planting of bushes and trees to obscure what you want obscured; remove decoration from undesired door)....See MoreHelp! No visible front door/poor curb appeal
Comments (14)Could you post a close up, straight on, of the immediate area of your door, standing back so we can see the utility boxes, etc.? If the boxes can’t be moved back towards your street...perhaps run a small white picket fence from the driveway to your lot line, and then turn it back towards your door, enclosing the boxes from view. Plant in front of the boxes...creating a pretty flowerbed, etc. Yes, the boxes will be visible to people entering the house, but not to those driving by. Just a thought. And, of course....a new garage door, for sure! One with windows. Perhaps something mid century? Patricia’s query, above, is a good one. What is the room with the two windows? Perhaps the door could be relocated there?...See Morednell_j
3 years agoDenita
3 years agodnell_j
3 years agodnell_j
3 years agoDenita
3 years agodnell_j
3 years agodoes that help lol? The front window corners up to window to the right of the front door.
Denita
3 years agoI agree with Hallett above. The front doors with the closed-in walls would look much better with open walls or no walls and just two posts to hold up your portico. Have you considered changing your front two doors for one door with sidelites?
I have been rethinking your original suggestion of a front patio. Given that you would actually use it, do put in a front patio using natural materials such as available stone for your area. Something like either one below:
Beaucatcher Barn Home · More Info
Eclectic Modern · More InfoDenita
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoEven a brick patio would work similar to the one below.
DIY Blog Cabin - Trex Pergola · More Info
DIY Blog Cabin - Trex Pergola · More Info
^Same house as the first pic but a different POVI happen to love the green siding, white trim and yellow front door. You could do the same or even change the siding to a dark blue and keep the white trim and yellow door :)
dnell_j
3 years agodnell_j
3 years agodnell_j
3 years ago
Related Stories
GREAT HOME PROJECTSHow to Give Your Driveway and Front Walk More Curb Appeal
Prevent injuries and tire damage while making a great first impression by replacing or repairing front paths
Full Story
LANDSCAPE DESIGN6 Front Yards That Balance Privacy With Curb Appeal
Selective screens, layered plantings and low walls boost privacy but still keep yards welcoming to neighbors
Full Story
GREAT HOME PROJECTSUpgrade Your Front Yard for Curb Appeal and More
New project for a new year: Revamp lackluster landscaping for resale value, water savings and everyday enjoyment
Full Story
HOUZZ TV LIVEUpdated Front Yard Offers Curb Appeal and Lounge Space
In this video, Melissa Kennedy of Meadowlark Design+Build gives a tour of her new yard and outdoor living area
Full Story
CURB APPEAL9 Daring Colors for Your Front Door
Stand out from the neighbors with a touch of neon green or a punch of hot pink
Full Story
FRONT DOOR COLORSFront and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Blue
Who knew having the blues could be so fun? These 8 exterior color palettes celebrate sunny-day skies to electric nights
Full Story
FRONT DOOR COLORSFront and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Black
Love the idea of a black front door? Here are 8 exterior palettes to make it work
Full Story
FRONT DOOR COLORSFront and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Orange
Bring high energy and spirit to your home's entryway with a vibrant shade of orange on the front door
Full Story
CURB APPEAL5 Bright Palettes for Front Doors
Splash bold green, blue, orange or red on your front door, then balance it with a more restrained hue on the rest of the house
Full Story
Yardvaark