exterior ugly house help!
Hi! I am a first time home owner. We found a great deal on a little bit of an ugly duckling. It is very beautiful on the inside but the outside needs some help. I have no good ideas on what we could do to jazz it up. I’m thinking maybe a big covered porch the whole front of the house with stairs down the middle leading to the front door. All suggestions welcome
Comments (16)
Connecticut Yankeeeee
2 months agohillary maclean
2 months agoIt’s sitting on just over an acre and a half, I don’t have any particular Color’s we love. I love nature inspired ones for sure and am I big fan of natural wood! Hope this helps
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Ugly home front, help please!!!
Comments (31)I would paint the upper part of the brick so that it blends in with the house colour, then I would hang plant pots off the top of the brick making seasonal type planter boxes that way you are not waiting for a larger plant to grow and you can quickly swap out any plants that are not thriving when the house is on the market. I would start the paint level at the same height as the bottom of the weird rectangular boxes. This will be a very cheap idea with impact / freshness....See MorePaint colour for ugly fibro house?
Comments (19)Hi I recently painted a small fibro house and I recommend not going too dark with the colour if is a smaller place as it looks. I chose an ochre colour and it was too heavy for the cheap, light material. Still, I kind of liked it as it warmed it up a bit, given it was in a dense, wet foliage. If I did it again I would choose cream. No offence to the other contributors, I like grey, but I wouldn't do this kind of house in grey. Grey looks good when the materials are good quality, but can look jail cell if not. If you like grey, I suggest a very pale grey. Cladding might really help as Sarah H suggested, it can be a little depressing to come home to such unprotecting looking exterior. I would do the lattice at the bottom a darker colour to 'ground' the house....See MoreNeed help! Modernise house exterior
Comments (54)I would start with making a decision on the carport first. Start by talking to the council as you may not be able to do a double carport (and the single carport at your neighbours looks like a tight squeeze!) Also as Missmel said you should probably also make a decision whether to paint or not early on. If you are going to go with carport, paint, new awning and possibly porch windows you are getting into a whole new look so I would start talking a professional about the best way to design it. As an alternative to the porch enclosure could you get the front windows double glazed to reduce noise? If it was my place I think I would only be changing the awning, paint the fences, landscape, and maybe do a single carport if its really needed (plus the tiling etc that you mentioned). Some new fretwork might be nice too. To me the main thing to change is the bullnose, as you said its not original and it looks heavy and dominating. You will have to post some pics when done I will be really interested to see how this all turns out....See MoreUgly duckling help - ideas to makeover this exterior?
Comments (9)Thanks both. I’d not considered that implication of squaring off the arches so thank you, we don’t want to render. Luckily my hubby was a horticulturalist/landscaper in his past life and is very much looking forward to that part of the transformation! Thanks for the suggestion and images to embrace the arches instead. Sounds like that’s our best option so will start thinking along those (curved ) lines... Yes changing the roof line is too expensive, we did get a ball park quote on an idea we had but it would be well over-capitalising in this area even if we could afford it! Now just the question remains of how to pretty up & replace the top triangle section... Thanks again for your suggestions, helpful and much appreciated....See More
ShadyWillowFarm
2 months agohillary maclean
2 months ago
PROOTM Designs & Remodeling Inc.
2 months ago
Maureen
2 months agolast modified: 2 months agoFor $100K, I’d look for a local pro who can suggest a range of improvements and the cost per item. Really consider your priorities (need vs want) and what you could do down road. Get a quote on painting as well and don’t paint until you have the rest figured out, so it enhances the look.
My priority would be creating a walkway from driveway (landscaping could be added now or in future, as it will have a major impact) ) and a more functional/attractive entrance.Depending on how you see yourself using the front yard, do in a “stage two”, but you may decide improved backyard usage would be a better decision. In the meantime, drive around to see what others have done, if there are similar homes in the vicinity. It‘s a big investment and you want to be sure of your decisions. Always have in mind the big picture.
deegw
2 months agolast modified: 2 months agoNice!
I agree that a hardscape plan - an upgraded front porch, a walkway with a landing under the door, plant beds with stone edging, and perhaps a stone wall, - should be part of your update.
Don't skimp on the hardscape, a wide gracefully curved walkway will add much more curb appeal than a thin L-shaped one. The landscape will grow, hardscape won't.
PROBeverlyFLADeziner
2 months agoYour home is a raised ranch and it requires a better way to get to the front door short of going up a set of ugly wood steps. IMO the steps should not be sideways but directly in front. Here are some images of homes similar to yours that have steps in the front and have improved the homes by adding a different-facing material to the bottom portion of the home
- PRO
lisedv
2 months agolast modified: 2 months agoBelow is a visual of my suggestions.
- Build a small roof above the porch (nice option but can be skipped)
- Enlarge the frames around the windows
- Install white vertical siding around the front door area
- Install a new wood front door and 2 barn style black sconces
- Paint the roof black and the siding charcoal - all trim in white
- Build a railing for the porch with a wood floor and stairs
- Install lattice panels under the porch and paint the same colour as siding
- Work on the landscaping (something like grasses are easy to care for) and install a walkway to driveway
Kat M
2 months agoWhat style do you like because this could be really different, if you wanted. Here is an example of a modern overhang, deck, stairs, on a flat fronted house. I think @Maureen is correct, you should consult with a local pro and work out just what you want.
ShadyWillowFarm
2 months ago
PROPrinceton Design Collaborative
2 months ago
PROJaniczek Homes
2 months agoHi Hillary,
Ugly duckling or complete blank slate?? I saw your post and immediately thought of the Bright Bazaar blogger who bought a similar, blank slate-type of home. He updated his home with new landscaping, walkways, and shingles. I attached a few photos that might inspire!
Best wishes with making your new house a home!
PRORappArchitecture
2 months agoDesign Fan
2 months agolast modified: 2 months ago
Patricia Colwell Consulting