skip to main content

Softening front exterior wall

8 years ago

As you can see, the front of this unit is unattractive. It is one of six in the complex, so I can't change the actual wall.
How can I soften the look and hide the wall.
I thought of some interesting pots and and plants.
Any suggestions?

Featured Answer

dohraime

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I'm not too savvy on plants but maybe some of the suggested ones in this thread would suit?
http://houzz.com/discussions/3516235
I personally like look of fiddle leaf ficus & think it would cover a lot. But more often I see them used indoors. Still,.. in the right conditions, they can work outdoors.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

dohraime
8 years ago
Yes, plants would do a lot. What direction is this facing? Would you need plants that do well in heat or is that not a concern where you are?
Margaret Brown
Original Author
8 years ago
It is north facing. Any suggestions?
Related Discussions
Front wall
Q
Comments (5)
I think this wall is beautiful, I'd clean it and plant low plants or ground cover along the base. I' pay a lot of money for a stone wall like that!
...See More
House exterior - wall colour?
Q
Comments (4)
The front of the house face south. The colour that appeal to me is from light grey/greige to white. I am not into dark colours. My issue is that my fascia is surfmist colorbond in colour and i have white windows. In an ideal situation, I would have loved for my fascia to be white too. My last resort will be to paint the fascia but that will void the warranty on the colorbond. Hope to find a solution soon. Thanks product: http://colorbond.com/colour
...See More
Should I paint my exterior feature wall?
Q
Comments (38)
Looks good. Before I read through discussion, I had these thoughts. You could look at painting on the front of the wall only, not in the porch/entranceway area underneath, double strength of main colour. So you could as an option get a test pot of Dulux double Self Destruct or even triple. I would not use Monument, or similar to the roof color as it will disappear into the roof. I also think the front fence would look better painted a stronger colour from your existing but as it seems it has just been painted perhaps you could do that, when and if you liked, to cut down expense. On the Dulux website they also give you colours that look good with Self Destruct. (Picture below). Another option is look towards going bold like a strong blue or blue green. Something like in the picture. That's my feature wall, Resene Billabong. ...or a dirty purple or a blood red. It's starting to get really personal of what your tastes are. Perhaps you could Half or Quarter the main house colour in the entranceway so it still flows but gives you more light. Exciting stuff!
...See More
Advice on what colour to paint exterior walls.
Q
Comments (6)
The fact you have asked 'what colour to paint exterior walls' , I'm assuming you don't want to do the roof , and personally I like the terracota , so I wouldn't either . But the slight problem looks to be you ( or someone ) has done the garden edges and that fence ( I assume a front fence ? ) in the same as the walls . To do all that in white may be too white IMO , so I'd lighten it with an off-white ( surfmist is a good go-to ) but do the gutters and all the ridges in a charcoal ( again , monument or similar ) , then probably that front fence caps , and possibly that side fence ( it looks like coloursteel panels at present ? ) , all in that charcoal . To understand why I said possibly in relation to that side fence , see below . To finish , I'd do the columns and probably the garden edges in a lighter charcoal grey -- think halfway between monument and surfmist . And that side fence ? Probably do the main body ( the uprights ) in the lighter charcoal , and the base in the darker ?
...See More
juliahocking
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
HI Margaret

Your shutters give me an idea. Go tropical!

Are you allowed to paint the concrete veranda floor? Maybe green/grey as in the awning. That would go a long way to brightening the area. If you are allowed, some plants along the front of the veranda to the step would be welcoming.

Can you paint the front door? Choose a cheery yellow or greyish/green as in the awning.

I can't tell what the cord is on the left hand side. Can you encourage a vine to grow up there?

Keep the awning 1/2 way down for a tropical attitude if it doesn't darken the interior too much. That will detract from the brickwork, which has seen better days!

Then choose pots, or paint what you have, to compliment, with lots of leafy plants and maybe a comfy white cane/timber chair, if there's room. Give yourself permission to purchase a large welcome mat for the front door - something natural like coir or sisal.

Have fun.
LouieT
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Can you build a couple of benches against the wall under the window
Bench Seat Covers Custom Made · More Info
Add some bright cushions
Chiragh · More Info

& a vertical wall of plants either side or on the left
Outdoor Decor · More Info
A screen or two in a bright colour
Enlaces · More Info
And some potted plants on the outside of the path & at the front door
ST Pot · More Info
With a couple of interesting sculptural additions...
Bud Planter Ball Corten Steel Outdoor sculpture · More Info

Teardrop Planter Set 3 Mild Steel sculpture · More Info

Then a feature light/lantern/string of lights to finish it off...
Clear Glass Hurricane on Wooden stand · More Info

Rupang Outdoor Lamp Stool · More Info

Lifestyle Home and Living - Gorgeous Home Decor · More Info
Margaret Brown
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you for all your comments. Somethings I can't do because of the Strata title.
It has been a rental for 12 years, now it's time beautify it as much as I can. Hard task on the outside.
georgi02
8 years ago
Latice work could give you some privacy as well as softening the look if you grow climbing plants up and through the lattice (clementis always looks good) and the lattice will sit neatly in trough planter boxes.

My long term advice - get on the Executive Committee and see what fund are put aside in their ten year plan to see what in earmarked for beautifying the strata plan - ie., is there landscaping, re-planting and re-turfing etc. I note from the picture you've got sandy soil - if you can improve it and encourage the lawn to grow - it'll make a big difference to the look of the front.
Gioenne Rapisarda
8 years ago
LouieT - we can always count on you for some great suggestions!! I like the idea of latticework in planter boxes, easily removable and will definitely soften it up :) some jasmine would look and smell nice.
PRO
Amerex Renovations
8 years ago
A bench seat or day bed in front of the window with colourful cushions would be a great start. Suggestions made by others regarding plants and climbers are great ideas too.

Sponsored

More Discussions

Layout for Parent Retreat

14

Thoughts on 1960s home extension

31

floor plan help

10

Earthy Bathroom Colours: Terracotta Inspiration

2

Better/roomier bathroom floor plan

11