PLEASE HELP!! Most atrocious home on the block. Need curb appeal.
Hi All,
Here is a photo of the home as it was purchased two years ago. The exterior is slightly different in that we have installed a 6" white PVC fence on both sides and the yard now has grass.
I am not sure what to do with this house in regards to gaining curb appeal, but something must be done. I am looking for budget ways to improve ($1k if we do not include the lawn, $3k if the lawn is included).
The house sits at the end of a T-junction on display for the world to see. Cookie-cutter home but still has the potential to look better. How can I beautify?
Looking forward to your feedback. Thank you so very much!
-Nora.
Comments (7)
3onthetree
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoFirst off, you have a lovely house. And I don't see any landscaping next door, so you're doing fine so far!
I would bet that it was a single car ranch with a 2nd floor added. If I'm right, the 2nd floor massing is hands down nicer and actually more proportionate than many I've seen done on ranches.
If you are on a T, I would have a lanscape berm (just a slight raise in proportion with the footprint) with a 10'-15' evergreen balancing a 20' deciduous tree interspersed with some smaller bushes and perennials to block the headlights and direct view (and a big rock if you are afraid of drivers missing the stop LOL). A plan view of the yard to lay out your landscaping all together would be the place to start. If you are willing to wait the growth from cheap big box container plants, you should be able to easily do the entire front landscaping beds for $1K and some DIY. Sketch just to illustrate:
Nora Rye thanked 3onthetreeRelated Discussions
Yellow House Needs Help- Curb Appeal
Comments (10)Yes, congratulations! It is so exciting to be in a new home with so many possibilities open to you. I had a few thoughts that you can certainly take or leave... I would limb up the front tree some. Then, if you enjoy gardening, I would create a curved bed from the step at the front all the way to the little bed all by itself out front and running along the sidewalk and driveway. I would begin by adding shrubs in that bed along with perennials. That would give you something pretty outside the lower level windows, but nothing that would block too much light. Hard to tell, but you might even have room for a small flowering tree or two out front as well. Don't know your zone, but crape myrtles flower when most things are starting to fade-a nice pop of color during the hot days of summer. We still have some blooming now. I would paint the garage doors the same color as the siding. You might also consider painting the screen/storm door to match the front door. Several of our neighbors have done that just recently and it looks great. I would have to look at more split foyers to decide on shutters for the lower windows. I am not sure whether I think that would be too busy or not. Maybe someone will photoshop different ideas for you! We do have neighbors with one, but their lower windows are full-sized and there is more space from them to the upper windows. Like lukkiirish, I like the idea of black or gray shutters with a black door, but others may have a better idea....See MoreBeach House needs curb appeal HELP. Open to anything.
Comments (20)On Cape Cod, hydrangeas are a common mass planting that is simple and effective. You could use a long-blooming type like 'Tuff Stuff' which in my garden blooms from early July into the fall, though it either needs adequate water or afternoon shade. Less fussy about water would be one of the small Hydrangea paniculata cultivars such as Bobo, which has white blooms that turn pink over the course of the season. Underplant with a flowering groundcover. i would also move turf back from under the small flowering trees currently there, perhaps crabapples or cherries(?). Then they wouldn't have to be pruned to that odd flat bottom that allows mowing under it. Instead, mulch and plant an evergreen groundcover below. Think about the seasons that you will be at the house if it isn't a full time residence, and if you won't be here in spring, don't plant daffodils and other spring bulbs. If you will be here into the fall, consider plants with colorful autumn foliage, and winter residence will require some evergreens, including perhaps some with foliage that isn't actually green for variety. Will you be doing the maintenance or will it be hired out? If it's a full time residence where you will do the maintenance and you enjoy gardening, there will be a different emphasis that one that is only used part time or maintained by a service where ease of care is a priority....See MoreMost Boring Brick Ranch. Needs curb appeal! It feels hopeless!
Comments (29)Suezbell Thank you. very good suggestions. I will definitely add another walkway -that makes sense and I never thought of that. It could easily be done with flagstone or something. Another struggle is between the house and the existing sidewalk it is such a small area. It may be too small for anything other than flowers so having a multilayer of landscaping would allow me to still put in some boxwoods or something still. I'm trying to picture the porch in front as you mentioned. It's not a bad idea. We actually have a large shared pond in back with most of our acreage being in front and side (like a piece of pie shape). We have 5 little children so we keep the play set and trampoline in front of the house, volleyball net on the side... Not ideal but keeps them safe away from the water. We have a beautiful view in the back yard with large windows and a nice screened in back porch. Just need to bring some beauty to the front of the house. Great ideas. Thank you heres is a pic of the house from the end of our driveway....See MoreFront of House. help me with curb appeal please!
Comments (16)Have you considered painting or staining the concrete foundation (Just make sure you get the right kind of paint). I can really make the overall appearance of the exterior of your house much more sophisticated- and it won't cost much!...See MoreNora Rye
2 years agolast modified: 2 years ago
Jilly
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoIt’s an attractive house!
I would do thicker columns, like this (credit: Young House Love blog):
And then, as you said, dress up that porch. Inviting chairs, small table, outdoor rug, potted plants.In that corner between the garage and entry, a big pot (you can easily find something inexpensive and paint it) ... put a vine with tall obelisk, a small tree, whatever does well in your area.
I’d use a bigger pot than these, but just to give an idea:
Or two large pots on either side of garage door (that’s what I have).Can you get a more close up picture of the porch so we can get an idea of size?
3onthetree
2 years agoAnother thing an 'island' nearer the street does - counters the negative Feng Shui of being at the end of a T, if you are one to give that any credence. The 'island' I envision would not be a complete barrier across the whole front, and not a solid visual blockage. Here's an example of one for a house at the end of a T, a year planted (sorry redacted people out) but now fully grown and also helps block a streetlight.
khrisz
2 years agoHU-187528210
2 years ago
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)