Inexpensive update to home exterior
Hi there! I am in the process of closing on a house. We love the inside, but feel like the outside is a bit boring and it looks almost identical to the house next door. We were thinking of painting the shutters navy or black and limewashing/whitewashing the brick. Any other ideas would be very welcome!
Comments (16)
Denita
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoWhat a lovely home!
The shutters could be darker for more contrast and personally I would add hardware so they look functional, like below.
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I would also use an accent color on the front door that is a different color from the new darker color you put on your existing shutters. For example, a very dark green almost black shutter with a plum colored front door or elegant black door or even a dark blue like Naval.Landscaping will be the finishing touch :)
I don't photoshop either, but someone will be along to help.
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Color Spring | Design Seeds · More Info^You can see how the plum and dark green work well together above. Especially with your neutral siding.
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Inexpensive update ideas for family room MUCH appreciated!
Comments (21)I wanted to provide an update! First off, we found some very trendy-looking laminate flooring for 84 cents per sq ft. We will be using underlayment that costs 25 cents per sq ft. So, for only $1.09 per sq ft, plus the cost of a few new tools, we’re redoing the floor. My husband will install this with some help from his brother, so we’ll save a ton on labor costs. As for the ceiling tile, I came across “smooth” 2x4 ceiling tiles online for only 76 cents per sq ft. Nothing fancy, but worlds nicer looking than the “basic” tiles that are only marginally cheaper. Add these tiles in with our ceiling grid covers, and it’s going to look fantastic! With new paint, new recessed lights and new light/electrical switch covers, and we’re going to have a room that looks great. Last piece of a very large puzzle to get our home truly move-in ready for a quick sale at top dollar! There are a few somewhat nicely done houses that just popped up on the market by us. One is about a half mile away, new construction. This house has contractor grade everything, including kitchen and bath, and is only slightly larger than ours. Looks nice and new, but we’ve got something that is quality where it really counts. I am hopeful we can list at or even higher than what they listed at. Can’t wait for our agent to see the finished product! Our fingers are crossed for a bidding war!...See MoreHome exterior update ideas
Comments (6)If they'll grow well in your planting zone, you might add a pair of Camellia bushes -- one on each side of the double windows on the left side of the house, each centered in front of the white exterior wall and planted a few feet from the house to give them room to grow. Would want to move the large bush in front of the door or at least trim it back so its not reaching into the sidewalk space. Your planted area at the beginning of your sidewalk and in front of the large bush might look good once the plants mature but seems incomplete. My inclination would have been to create the planting area from the sidewalk to the left edge of the house (with any flowers planted in front of and between a pair of camellia bushes . Something you may be able to find at a modest price -- and that you could take with you if/when you ever decide to move -- is a plain concrete birdbath. Be sure to get one with sloped sides to the bowl and one that is wider at the top so you can keep water in it in winter as well ... if it freezes the ice can push upward without breaking the bowl. You could set it in the middle of the yard where it would be visible from a window and enjoy the birds. http://www.jeffconcrete.com/products/miscellaneous/bird-baths/ ....See Moreinexpensive exterior update
Comments (21)I like brick and seldom suggest staining or painting it, but if you want a really different look you could change the small amount of brick that you have. The negative is that unpainted brick requires no maintenance and so you might have to touch up the paint in a few years, but the amount is so small that it's not a big deal for you. Because it's protected by the overhang it's unlikely to get much wear from the weather. Be sure to get paint or stain made for that purpose. Romabio is often recommended by people on this site. I have never used it. I assume the roof will not be replaced, so choose a colour that looks good with both the roof and the siding....See MoreUpdate exterior of home opinions
Comments (5)I know you didn't ask but, I would do something about the big wall on the right side. It seems bare and stands out. Maybe add shutters to the windows on that wall for some dimension and detail to balance all of the detail on the rest of the house. Add a birdbath and trellis or something as a focal point in the middle. Here is the concept in two versions:...See MoreDenita
3 years ago
Evanston Residence - Eclectic Colonial · More InfoI am showing this so you can see how much landscaping and a nice wide walkway really add to curb appeal. It makes all the difference between homes that may have the same colors. Consider posting your dilemma in the landscape portion of houzz to get ideas.
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yvonnecmartin
3 years agohoussaon
3 years agoAshley Maiorana
3 years ago
just_terrilynn
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoA shallow front door pergola is fairly inexpensive and makes a HUGE impact. If you google front door pergola or trellis you will see examples on all and every house style. It looks like you are somewhat close to the road (?) and driveway so you might want a shallow one that can be supported on the house with no porch posts ( cheaper) and nice.
Something like this but longer and with different support brackets.
I can’t tell how much height you have to work with under the ledge but it could be mounted outside of that.
just_terrilynn
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoContinued from above. Paint door and shutters dark navy. Add a pergola above door. Add a copper gutter, kick plate and mail holder.
Note: I don’t think the window box works. I think I would paint that white band under the dark navy.
Before below.
PROSabrina Alfin Interiors
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agojust_terrilynn
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoYou could just paint the whole thing as it pretty much looks contrast-y regardless of top paint color . However, not saying contrast is always bad!
Painted is more maintenance but not horribly so.
Like my above example there is a copper gutter on top but white down spout, copper door kick-plate and mail holder. Also, pergola above the door.
Door and shutters are meant to be dark navy.Ashley Maiorana
3 years agocece673
3 years ago
PROBeth H. :
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoRomabio. white wash it. paint the siding a bright white, black shutters. will look like this
don't forget the landscaping!you could also do a warm gray or mushroom color w/dark gray shutters.
or, leave the brick and do a navy blue siding and all white trim
shivece