Improve curb appeal of garage prominent house and hidden front door
LA
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (13)
littlebug zone 5 Missouri
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoRelated Discussions
Side-of-House Front Door - Curb Appeal Advice (+ Landscaping/ Walkway)
Comments (15)I think that solving the main problems is going to boil down to two things: the walk; and the making the entrance visible. The walk should definitely be wider - 5' could be a goal, maybe wider near the stoop - and then it should make a better connection with the drive. I don't think this means to necessarily cut across the lawn with it. Given that the yard is small, you could widen the drive a bit with whatever the walk material is, continue on by widening the city sidewalk with the same material, and then turn the corner with the walk, heading to the entrance ... in effect bordering the yard with a "U"-shape "invitation" that extends from the drive to the entrance. (The portions adjacent drive and city walk would not be the same width as the main walk to the entrance. They would be like decorative borders.) When it comes to the portion of walk that heads toward the entrance, I think it would be beneficial to pull it away from the neighbor's drive and incorporate and "S"-curve into it. That way, room for a SMALL tree could be created between the walk and neighbor's drive. It would also have the benefit of making it look like it belongs to your property without any question. Note how entrances are typically clearly marked by some type of enlarged, often raised, paved area, and a roofed covering that offers shelter from the elements. I think you need to create such a structure over the walk, in the front yard, near to the house. It would be the obvious first "entrance" that people reach when approaching the house. But after they've reached it there would be no question about where they would continue to in order to reach the actual house entrance. The structure could be a very nice arbor, or it could be more architectural in nature (such as with brick columns and an actual roof.) BTW, I don't think there's the first thing wrong with your yellow brick. Maybe you're bored of it and that is the driving force behind staining it. But I think it would be a mistake, or highly inefficient at the least, to attempt to change it to another color. If the brick was flat out ugly I'd be all for it. But it's not. You might end up creating, after spending a lot of money and effort, something that is not near as nice. If you could replace the top panel of the garage door with one that has windows all the way across, that would resolve the boring quality of the existing door. There seem to be two main approaches to planting: smother the house with hedges; and smother the house with a variety of all kinds of plants strewn in a randomish fashion. You might consider "matching" shrubs to windows (like steps would be "matched" to a door) as the main shrubs of the landscape scheme. Perennials and annuals can be fit around them in some artistic scheme, keeping it simple preferably. I would plan on keeping shrubs below the window sill height. I would hunt for a spot for another small tree at the right side of the house. (We can't see that area.)...See MoreImprove curb appeal: First home help; Front landscaping suggestions?
Comments (43)Flo, I like your sketch very much (although without knowing the basic sun/wind info I mentioned above, it may or may not be what she needs.) However, the suggestion of polished black Japanese river stones for a first time home owner in Oklahoma is probably not helpful.b You will drain her budget and she will find herself looking at dusty, not shiny, stones. If she likes your concept of creating a dry bed/ river effect (as I do), you or someone else might teach her how to do this with grasses native to her area. Ones that can be easily propagated by division, require no water or weeding, and will blow in her prairie breezes while attracting birds and wildlife. Can, I urge you to google images of landscapes by Oehme, Van Sweden. They are known for using sweeps of native plants, especially grasses. My suggestion to you is to play around with flexible hoses or ropes in dividing your wide open space to see what shapes please you. Then imagine the spaces filled with different color blocks of various heights. Which ones do you want moving, which ones static? Designing a three dimension landscape from scratch like yours can be overwhelming. Break it down into digestible parts. 1) Gather all information about your conditions. 2) Get out the hoses and ropes and draw on the ground like a canvas....See MoreHow do I improve entry way and curb appeal of the front yard?
Comments (10)In your introductory statement, you say that you're interested in changing "... the front deck into a more pleasant entry way." Let's compare the existing deck to two concepts. Presently, it seems sized such that it could accommodate 3 or 4 people entering. In my concept I haven't the size of the deck much. I've widened it just a little, mainly to allow for building wider steps ... maybe twice as wide as the current steps. It might accommodate an additional person or two. In your concept drawing, you've changed the deck from merely an entrance, to one sized for family gatherings -- lounging, dining, BBQs, etc. Is that how you intend to use the deck? If it is merely an entrance, it does not make sense to overwhelm the space with a lounging and entertaining deck sized for a family ... unless you are receiving visitors in groups numbering into the teens. First, figure out its purpose and base its size on that. Then work out its configuration. Whether its a wood deck or masonry porch structure doesn't matter to its function, as either can do the job. The materials will have more to do with durability, maintenance and the visual, artistic impression that you are trying to make. In general, I think people value masonry porches as the superior ones, b ut it isn't necessarily always that way....See MoreSuggestions for how to improve the curb appeal of this house?
Comments (10)Thank you all so much! I did add a picture of our house with the garage door closed. We live in Michigan, and I should mention that we will be replacing the concrete stoop and sidewalk. It seems like a great time to nail down a good design before we commit to new concrete. Your structural suggestions and pictures are inspiring. The point about using the landscape to hide and highlight is precisely what we've been thinking. I'll be reaching out to an architect and landscape designer very soon. We welcome any additional suggestions. Thanks again!...See Moredecoenthusiaste
3 years agoLA
3 years agoSherry8aNorthAL
3 years agodecoenthusiaste
3 years agoemmarene9
3 years agoYardvaark
3 years agoLA
3 years agoemmarene9
3 years agopartim
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agochloebud
3 years agoSherry8aNorthAL
3 years ago
Related Stories
HOUZZ TV LIVEDesigner Tips for Improving the Curb Appeal of Your Front Entry
Barbara Milner shares tips from four homes with stylish and inviting entries
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGN10 Planting Ideas to Boost Your Garage’s Curb Appeal
See how to use vines, shrubs, colorful perennials, succulents and pots to enhance this overlooked planting spot
Full StoryGREAT 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 StoryGREAT 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 StoryLANDSCAPE 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 StoryCURB 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 StoryEXTERIORSMini-Me Mailboxes Add Curb Appeal
The spitting image of their parents or merely sharing some genes, these mailboxes show that good design goes beyond the front door
Full StoryCURB APPEALNail Your Curb Appeal: Traditional Style
Timeless colors, a gussied-up garage and classic door jewelry combine for a good-looking exterior
Full StoryEXTERIORS17 Ways to Increase Your Home's Curb Appeal
The word on the street? Homes with appealing front views can sell faster, lift moods and convey a warm welcome
Full StoryCOLORHow to Paint Your Front Door, From Start to Finish
Learn what you need to know about this weekend project, such as the best paint to use and the right time to do it
Full Story
jck910