Hi there! Any chance you have a photo of the outside that you can attach here to get a better idea of what you are working with?

Here it is! Pretty ugly hugh..

I'm going to suggest that you guys do an ideabook on the styles of houses you find appealing, as with the right choices this home could go traditional, contemporary or transitional. Having an idea of what your taste is would help posters in offering solutions and suggestions to spruce up your new homestead! Congrats. by the way!

HI -- Where I'm from we call this style of house a" BI-level" and the color is maybe what is bothering you . It has something going for it or you wouldn't have invested in it , right ? So enjoy getting your new home and all is not lost , it looks like it has good bones. Yes , good idea to start to save your ideas. I think you should live in a place for awhile before you make changes . Maybe paint the out side first just to make it look better for you. Get some paint color cards for exteriors a pick a color you like now and have it sprayed ( easy and fast) Then the ugly will be gone. Good Luck !

There's hope, check out this example

The color doesn't bother me. It is the window placement that is is so strange. I'm guessing this is what I'd call a raised ranch: living, dining, bedrooms and bath on the second floor. Are there rooms in there that need more natural light?

I think to start I'd think about replacement windows, before I'd paint. Try to line them up in a pleasant arrangement while maintaining the function of the rooms. I'd get rid of the picture window. I bet these windows are not energy efficient, so replacing them will be not only aesthetic, but save energy.

I'd use a very clean line window, that these in this house:

Lastly, I'd put a suspended covering over the front door, somewhat along this line, but not as deep: Change out the lights if needed. Oh, and paint the front door a dark grey.

Good luck.

Thank you for all of your helpful responses! The windows are all new so we wouldn't want to replace them. The left window is the living room (see attached photos) and the right window is a large bedroom (which we may split into two smaller rooms for our two girls). This exterior sketch helps a lot and is exactly what I'm looking for, but we can't change the windows on the left side of the house. Please do keep your responses coming!! Thank you!!! ps, good possibility of adding a window on the right, but not sure what to do with the left side and entrance. Husband says, "We're not putting one of those ugly stars on the house!" lol!

My first thought is not to think of your house as ugly but rather unfinished or lacking in definition. As some of the comment suggested you should begin to look for ideas and imagine what it can become. This process should have some relationship to a maximum budget. It is a long way from just painting to new windows, front porch, lights, landscape, painting and stone base, etc. Prioritize your changes based you maximum budget.

I can see lots of potential with this house and lots of room to make changes. I would not let the funky nature of the window placement discourage you. Rather think of how this can be played up. For instance the larger windows on the corner, with a little trim and paint wrapping around the corner incorporating the side window and magically it is a now mod corner window.

The second floor hangs over the base. This is good for retro mod design. Painting the base a different color would be great.

A roof with modern steel columns coming out over the front door would be nice and allow a place to hang a funky light above the doors. Add three small square fixed windows evenly spaced above the new roof over the door.

Yes, I agree with you DeWitt! It lacks "character" and we want to give it character. W/3 kids and a very tight budget it will be up to my husband (who is very handy) and I to try to give it some quick character until we can afford to to major work. Thank you for your very helpful ideas! I went to college for Interior Architecture, but my mind is fried at this point (post children). "-)

More Interior Pics for you all! IDEAS WELCOME! Are there any websites that help one to "draw" on a picture? Also looking for basic floor plans for an approx 45'x25' bi-level. Thanks in advance!!

I like the photo Jamieson posted. Then entry needs beefed up with a overhang of your style. And if you don't want to put in more windows to balance the house out. Then some landscaping should do the trick. Plant something that will get tall to take up that Blank wall between front door and windows. I would think an Evergreen, something that would keep color year around. Of course you need more landscaping than that. Your local nursery could help.

A shallow pergola above your front door and larger, more prominent exterior lighting would add interest and dimension to the facade of your home without breaking the bank. You would also be surprised at how artful landscaping would enhance your home's appearance. Try using a variety of ornamental grasses and perennials that complement your stately white pines.

I like the idea of a pergola, they're so pretty! Thank you Michiganmemom!!

OOHH, thats an excellent idea houssaon!! It's starting to look better already!! THANK YOU!!

It’s been over 12 years. What did you do and how does it look?