Curb Appeal

12 years ago

Here is my (new to me) home. It is lake front property. This is the side of the house you can see from the street. The house is a modest ranch with a basement home, not the most or least expensive in the neighborhood. I am closing on it this week! It is my 1st home I purchased all by myself. Whoo hoo. This side of the house faces SW and gets a good amount of late morning and rest of day sun, and is the weather side of the house. I get the keys this week and will post more pics when I get in there. :)
Things that will be staying:
..The roof is 2 years old and is black/dark gray asphalt shingles, this will not be changing.
..The siding is in excellent shape and will not be changing (except for painting). I could possibly add some accents.
The gutters are 2 years old and have gutter caps on them they are white and in great shape and will not be changing.
..The driveway covers the entire front of the home. I will be killing weeds and putting down fresh gravel. ..The concrete slab in front of the garage will be staying. I will post more pics after I pressure wash it to see what it really looks like.

I would like to upgrade the front of the home to give it some curb appeal. I do not have a budget saved for this yet, (I am thinking that I would like to keep it around $10ish K). I am in the "what if" stage. Please throw any and all ideas at me. Not remodeling entire home though!
Things I would like to address or that I have thought of:
.. I am planning to paint the siding and the trim, (White for trim and probably a medium warm gray for the field" but not 100% sure on colors yet).
..I was thinking of adding a small covered porch to the front door. Not sure how this should look. I would like to increase the front porch size, to give you a place to stand while you try to get the door open.
..I am going to remove the terrible storm door, and paint the front door. But what color?
..Not sure what do do with the garage door yet. Obviously it would be nice to save it, cost wise, but what color?
..Anything else you fab houzzers can think of?
Thank you for your gentle comments, :D

Featured Answer

ptreckel

12 years ago

Congratulations on your new home! I suggest painting the door and window trim white. This will enlarge the appearance of your windows. And adding large white window boxes beneath the two windows to the left of your front door. As others have said, painting your front door a bright color, even a lively yellow, will draw attention to your entrance and look great with gray. I would paint the garage door a crisp white (although others might disagree). In the future you might consider adding a window to your garage so that it isn't just a blank wall. On the other hand, landscaping will help mask the electrical meter for now. And I like your idea of a porch---wide enough for two people to stand side by side---at the front door. If not now....next year. With the addition of some larger pots of flowers, even one at the corner of your garage at the edge of the driveway, you are on your way! Good luck!

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Comments (8)

apple_pie_order
12 years ago
Congratulations on your new house. Is there a door from inside the garage to interior of house?

Look for a screen/storm door with either removable or sliding panels. Having a screen door open in spring and fall is nice. If it has a storm door now, chances are good it will need a storm door in winter. Keep the current one until you find a replacement.

Is the garage door wood?
Rawketgrl thanked apple_pie_order
Rawketgrl
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you Apple pie order, yes there is a door inside garage into home. The garage door is wood. The front door is solid wood also, but you can't see it. Good idea on storm door. Yes I will probably get through this winter then "do something" LOL.
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Rawketgrl
Original Author
12 years ago
I just thought of something, the house looks very small from this picture. It is actually 1350 square feet on each floor. Plus 1000 square feet or so of decking and porches. It opens up facing the lake. More pics later this week when I actually own it. :)
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Creative Visual Concepts, Kevin Strader
12 years ago
The front door seems to get lost in your pictures. I would definitely paint the front door (if you go with gray on the walls you could go red, teal, almost any color) to make it a focal point and a small porch could also be a good idea. Landscaping along the wall where your electric meter is would soften that wall. Painting like you discussed would also freshen things up. I might also look into putting some kind of edge to the gravel (landscape timbers, pavers, etc.) to not only define the area but to keep the gravel in check.
Rawketgrl thanked Creative Visual Concepts, Kevin Strader
apple_pie_order
12 years ago
I look forward to seeing more photos. Thanks for additional info. If you keep your car in the garage, there's no immediate need to make a bigger covered area. Time to think about it for the next year or so.

Some wooden garage doors are too heavy when wet to be gracefully lifted by a door opener. If you want an opener and don't have one, consider getting a new insulated garage door eventually. One with windows or translucent panels is great for letting in light.
Rawketgrl thanked apple_pie_order
Rawketgrl
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks Everyone! I am on to some other projects in the house and will be posting them this weekend. I will probably do a little of what each of you replied. Thanks again and will post pics when changes occur! For right now still trying to unpack and work to pay the mortgage!
karelina
11 years ago
Since trees take a long time to grow, I’d start landscaping soon to soften the wall of your house facing the street. A reputable local garden shop can give you suggestions for trees and bushes. You can worry about the small stuff next spring.I’d consider building raised beds for either side of your steps and a railing for safety (though not usually required for 2 steps) and to finish it off. You might consider hanging baskets of plants at the corners.

And, yes, I’d paint the house. I like the wooden garage door, though it looks like it could use a little love. The color is really wide open with the black roof and wooden doors.

A good light by your front door will show up the wood.

I’d also add large house numbers on the side of the house facing the street.

Congrats and good luck!
Rawketgrl thanked karelina