Help: Improve street appeal with no front door
We bought this old brick veneer house recently and are stumped on how to make it look more appealing...I feel it’s because there is no welcoming vibe from the lack of front door. The only entrance is through the carport. Do you have any ideas on how we can fix this? I’m guessing it’s very expensive to add a front entrance way on the north side! I’d love to hear ideas, I have no clue!
Comments (9)
6 years agoMy suggestion would be to install a garage door. Then lay a footpath from driveway, across the front of your home, to the sunroom. Making the sunroom your new entry into your home. You could install a portico before sunroom to enhance the entrance.
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Help please to Improve Street Appeal to this small house!
Comments (13)Great suggestions already. I like the idea of the french doors leading to the lounge and opening onto a covered patio. Block up the existing door unless there’s a good reason for keeping it. I’m sure you can find something interesting to do with the space gained inside the house. Keep everything light and bright paintwise but you could let your head go colour-wise , soft lemon or green with white trims, or different shades of your favourite colour. Some plants in the ground, some in pots: a lemon tree, rosemary, succulents,etc. Good luck....See MoreWhat can I do to improve the street appeal?
Comments (7)With all due respect I am going to disagree with amonymousanne, and say painting everything white is completely wrong for this style of home. It is in the "Sydney School" style where the rustic nature of the brickwork and oregon beams make up part of the character of the home. This style of your home is about organic texture and drama, so I would only paint what was previously painted, possibly in a Dulux colour called "Luck" which complements your brickwork beautifully, and is a deep brown/black colour similar to this photo. Your home may even be one of the much loved Pettit and Sevitt homes which are currently undergoing a revival in popularity if they have not been modernised beyond recognition. However the paint is only secondary to the main issue which is your landscaping which is at odds with the architecture. The style of home is more suited to an informal, native Australian garden, rather than trimmed, box-shaped shrubs that look quite alien. Your landscaping should also draw the eye to your entry, the current landscaping is concealing it. Improving the landscaping is the key to improving the street appeal, and new paint, without new landscaping won't be enough to do it. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls...See MoreImproving street appeal
Comments (9)I'm disappointed to keep reading the negatives of gum trees. They are magnificent plants that dont deserve the derision. And I've been designing gardens for about 40 years. Your home lends itself to an interesting native garden. Eucalyptus (gums) are available in a range of sizes enabling the ubiquitous 'Australian garden' to stand out. You can underplant these with clipped Westringia, Correas (both demanding well-drained soil) and Lomandra grasses. A few rocks would also add to the effect. Lilly Pillies are native, but are better placed in contemporary situations as hedge plants and not the Australiana style....See MoreHigh solid brick front fence - help with street appeal
Comments (20)I would not touch your fence for at least 12 months. At the moment it is giving you a quiet and private garden "room" which leads off your charming front verandah. Why don't you see how much you use this outside space during the different seasons before you make a decision? At the moment I would be comfortable enough to sit on your front verandah in my PJ's and dressing gown having a morning wake up coffee and enjoying the morning sun. I would never do that if the neighbourhood could see me. Never rush into making any changes to a new home until you understand the home and how it performs through the different seasons. Best of luck with your considerations, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls/Dr Retro Virtual Visits...See More
6 years ago- 6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
don 't paint bricks or add cladding...money saved better spent on cleaning driveway and roof tiles, make sure everything is in good working order, maybe update kitchen and bathroom. refresh paint, window and floorcoverings and renew the garden...maybe a courtyard alfresco on the east and remove the garden beds near the front of the house and add a narrow pergola (same height as the carport) and focus the landscaping towards the front and side fences to create views from inside...something like this?
6 years agoHave to agree with Oklouise, keep side entry as is but define with new paving within carport leading up to the front door.,Add clear roofing next to house leading to entry, large pots and good directional lighting for night time to draw you to the front door. I would remove the large plant on the left of the carport to open up the entrance.
Mark walkway to front door with paving, paint or render the bedroom wall at the end of the carport add a light and large pot of succulents which are easy care and will love the light coming through the new roof
Paint and update the exterior of the carport
Opening roof by Stratco Outback, or Vergola Pergola to let light in over entrance wayMatt Private thanked siriuskey- 6 years ago
Another suggestion, just a free standing architrave installed. With garden enhancements to guide visitors to the existing front door.
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siriuskey