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rasher57

Ranch House Exterior Needs Help!!

14 years ago
I live in a 1950s ranch house in CT and the front of the house is totally unbalanced with a 'front' door that is actually on the side. Any ideas would be appreciated! Thank you!

Comments (9)

  • PRO
    14 years ago
    I certainly cannot tell which door is the front door! But if you had a pretty winding path, with stepping stones or gravel or paved, leading to the correct door, then it would be evident. And a bigger front porch with potted plants would be a welcoming sight that would help identify the correct door. You definitely need some landscaping and I suggest you seek advice from a landscaping professional in your area before you start any work. If you want to save money and do the work yourself, consider hiring a landscape architect to draw a plan that you can follow.
  • 14 years ago
    Thank you!! We just had all of the bushes removed from the front of the house so that we could start this makeover as we will be painting the house and removing the faux stone.The front door is to the far right (next to large picture window) while the breezeway door is closest to the garage on the left (next to large window) which is the primary door that we use. i really like your idea of a winding path leading to the front door with some great landscaping. Thank you very much!!
  • 14 years ago
    Formal French Kitchen PIedmont · More Info
  • 14 years ago
    last modified: 14 years ago
    HI -- rasher57 -- Build a decorative screen fence( 6 feet high)in front of the breezeway door (that section -width)so anyone coming to the house will be directed to the front door. Play up the front door with landscaping and a new walkway. Have more of a patio landing under the front window porch area with soft edges surrounded with perrenials. Come out 8 to 10 feet and past the concrete step - remove the little wrought iron railing-you don't need it .
  • 14 years ago
    If you are going to remove the stone, I would also change the breezeway window and door configuration, which I think really ruins your house - more than any thing else!

    Would you want to have everyone use the breezway door, including company and trades people? Then make it the go to door by making it more prominent and down play the other door.

    But if you only want the family to use this entry, create a new walkway to other door and visually shield this entrance from the street.

    Simple like these double doors might work:
    Sonoma Residence · More Info
    or this type:
    Noe Valley Three · More Info
  • 14 years ago
    I agree with @houssaon. I would create a natural barrier to that secondary door, perhaps with a tree and put emphasis on the front door by creating a clear walkway to it from the sidewalk. If you are really adventurous, maybe relocate the front door to where the window currently is over there and then create more of a porch for it.
  • 14 years ago
    last modified: 14 years ago
    Along with the other ideas, and taking @Rose L's idea one step further: exchange the little window with the front door, then add a portico (search Houzz photos for "portico"). If that's not possible, adding a porch area with room for a bench and large flower pots would help, too.
    Kevin Quinlan Architect LLC | Portfolio · More Info
  • 14 years ago
    Thank you so much for the great advice!! I absolutely love the "traditional elegance" California home...that is surely a dream home!! I also love the idea of changing the breezeway window and door configuration, possibly using French doors??? The landscaping ideas which would include the addition of a walkway and painting the front of the home the same color are wonderful. We thought about adding a portico to that front/side door to the right also. Again, thanks very much!!