Help my UGLY house!

12 years ago

Help me help my ugly little house! My DD26 described it as "uggy" and she's right! My budget is slim and DH and I are DIYers. We will be replacing the picture window with a new one within the month--same style but larger (as in 1' lower to accomodate the dog's viewing pleasure). We also plan to add a low raised bed across the front with blooming shrubs yet this summer.

I'd like to yank the front steps off and do a curved/rounded front steps, but DH is kinda worn out after this spring's kitchen renovation. So this is going to have to be a stopgap until he is up to that. Shutters? Yes/no? Painting trim? Sure! Staining the front steps? No problem! Painting the front door? Yes please!

PS I do have flowers purchased for pots and will get them out later this week if it ever stops raining... : /

Featured Answer

keestey

12 years ago

Steps seem to close off the front door. What if the steps where as wide as the porch? Stain/paint the porch a dark colour.

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Comments (8)

Dar Eckert
12 years ago
As long as you are changing out your window, consider adding wide trim around the windows and garage door. White trim would look nice with the color of your home. I would also paint the porch charcoal gray. Then landscape adding shrubs and flowers. Since flowers die back to the ground in winter, shrubs are necessary. Do a mix of flowering shrubs and some evergreen. Consider getting advice from your local landscaper.
I'm thinking that curving the steps would be quite expensive and not really make much of an improvement.
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Anne thanked Dar Eckert
MarleneM
12 years ago
I would extend the sidewalk along the driveway, with the planting bed extending from the house to along the sidewalk as well.
Anne thanked MarleneM
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Anne
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you both for your suggestions. Dar, I've considered painting the red trim, but white was not a color I had considered. Regarding the cost of the curved steps, my DH would be doing them himself so it will be for materials only. My other thought was to add lattice to the bottom of the decking and backing (not sure if that is the correct terminology) to the steps. The steps just don't seem right to me but I cannot put my finger on it. Am I just adding lipstick to a pig? It is probably due to them being added on by the previous owner. I also suspect that the garage was originally unattached since most of the homes in our neighborhood are single detached garages.
Anne
Original Author
12 years ago
Keestey, thank you. I intend to stain the steps and was thinking of a dark blue slate. DH wants them stained dark brown--probably so he can justify using brown landscaping blocks for the raised bed. I've tried to point out that our roof (only 3 years old and installed by previous owner) is a dark charcoal/black so no brown.
jemimabean
12 years ago
I was coming to say exactly what Keestey said: I would widen the steps to be the same width as the porch, which would give you a nice place to put some potted plants, and be a great place to sit with a glass of iced tea.
I love the idea of putting wider trim around the windows, and painting all of it white. i think that your house could be very cute like that.
And finally, definitely a mixture of shrubs, evergreens, and flowering plants. Don't make the beds squared off rectangles - give them some curviness, and it will add some charm to the house.

I don't think that it would take much to give it some great curb appeal!
Anne thanked jemimabean
Anne
Original Author
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
The porch is definitely deep enough for a chair and table. I do plan to add some pots but it has been raining on and off for the past 4-5 days. It never occurred to me to widen the steps but maybe that is what is bugging me about them. My first comment even before we got in the house for the first showing was to "yank those steps off".

We are planning to add curves to the raised beds so we might be on the right track here. Thank you everyone for your comments!
diane707
11 years ago
Forget the curved steps. I agress to widen the steps to same width as porch and paint enitre house white add landscaping and it would look like a new home PRETTY
Anne thanked diane707