You need some color in a big way.This can be done with perennials and maybe paint the door and garage..Perhaps lift the canopy of the oak tree a few limbs, and powerwash the steps and walk

I think the big white garage door gotta go - definitely some color!

The tree overpowers the house - trim or remove (I'd vote to trim....)

The wrought iron railing is dated... can it be replaced?

And yes - a good power washing!

I'd paint the trim, door and garage door a color other than white. I think a tan or beige for the trim and garage door and maybe a brick or orangish red to compliment the roof and brick.

If the house is ready to go on the market now, I'd plant some mums around the base of that tree to the right of the garage. Cut them to the ground after they start dying back. They'll at least be greenery when they come up in the spring. You might plant some daffodils and other bulbs there too if there is a chance the house will be on the market in the spring. Pansies are usually a good winter flower.

You might want to dress up the base of the tree out front a little too. I can't really tell what's going on there. A few reddish pavers and some flowers would dress it up a little.

If you have a little more money, you might get a little bit bigger outside lights, but what you have is ok.

I left out a word. I think the door would look good painted in a complementary shade of red and paint the garage door and trim the beige or tan.

I'd rake the leaves up and sweep them off the driveway first of all. Also, taking pictures at a different time of day so that the house is not covered in shadow would help.

I'd consider losing the storm door - it looks like it is hiding what could be a really pretty front door.

If I were looking to up it's long term curb appeal, I'd start ASAP with a few landscaping updates.

The all boxy hedges looks a bit dated, and I think that replacing a few with more naturally shaped specimens and varying textures will look great, especially with a few years of growth under their belts. The house has a lot of squares, so I think all boxy shrubs and hedges is non-flattering.

Something naturally conical (or maybe two), something w/a more chartreuse green color, something with a more burgundy leaf coloring, some soft grasses (varying heights/colors) will go an awful long way.

I would work on getting the dated iron railings replaced with something more substantial in wood. Are you handy, or do you know anyone who might do this for you very reasonably? I love the steps and the retaining walls, and agree that a bit of a power wash would revive them nicely.

Best of luck with your long term goals!

Nat

I must agree with Nat regarding the landscaping. I noticed how it "aged" the house before I noticed all the white. I am not of fan of the retaining wall to the left of the door. It might be the picture, but it looks like it's only a few feet in front of the house. I'm not sure why, but that always makes things seem cramped to me. I would also add a bed to the street side of the sidewalk--even if its just some flowers or grasses. Try to take it to the driveway in sort of a curved shape rather than a staight shot on one side. The curves will soften some of the angles of the house. (Some nice plants can be purchased at discount retailers in the spring very inexpensively--just look for some things that will grow quickly.) Would love to see a tan for the trim and maybe even a deep olive or mossy green for the front door. I would paint the garage the same color as the trim.

You also might consider some shutters, in the same color as the door, on the window to the right. It might help break up some of the brick on that side a bit, and they can be purchased fairly inexpensively. (If you're not sure about the look, cut out and paint a couple of sample "shutters" from cardboard---attach with some heavy tape and see if it makes a diffence.)

Definitely power wash the concrete. If it doesn't clean well, you might consider staining it.

Definitely new light fixtures!

You also might try painting the railings a tan before changing them. I've seen some of those old railings become a lot more up to date with a coat of paint.

Finally--if budget were a non-issue (and of course it always is for most of us) I would rip out the old concrete steps and create a wider porch area. Not much--just a couple of feet. Imagine your future buyers first impression--there stands the agent, fumbling with unfamiiar locks while potential home buyers 1 and 2 can't even stand on the porch or all try to move back and forth as the doors open, etc. It creates an impression of small crowded spaces before anyone even walks through the door.

I actually think the house looks pretty good.

The changes I would make are few and inexpensive.

1) Take down the numbers on the garage.

2) Remove the iron rails an leave the entry alone. Once you do this you will open up the space and the door won't look so "closed in". I wouldn't bother replacing it with anything else.

3) Rake the leaves.

I would leave the hedges, you never know what the next owners would want there or like.

You have what looks like a really nice house. Driving up to it with buyers that want a ranch and a nice level fenced yard--I would feel that good things are to come. The all brick construction and hip roof with generous overhangs foretell a cut-above-average level of quality. Was it built between the late '50s and mid-'60's?
The big tree dwarfs the house and doesn't really belong in this size of front yard--but the $1000 or so to remove it may be better spent on replacing yukky countertops or a super-stodgy bathroom vanity if those happen to be part of the interior. The boxy shrubs do nothing for the home- shrubs with interesting color and structure, grasses, softening things at the side--these would be nice, not too- expensive updates. The white paint could go tan/putty, as well as the wrought iron railing and the chain link fence to the rear. Ivy could be planted to cover the chain link. The front door could become an interesting color such as eggplant, or any number of shades of green that go well with that orangey
brick.
All these things would be icing on the cake, as it looks like yours is the type of home that, as long as it's priced reasonably, should be a very doable sale.

I think your curb appeal is actually quite good. Your house has a nice clean look to it. I wouldn't spend a ton of money on perennials or removing the tree (!) especially if it's a healthy tree. You could do some little (hopefully inexpensive) things.

1. Clean up. Rake the leaves, remove the white chair(s?) and pumpkin.

2. Remove the numbers or replace with smaller numbers.

3. Paint the door some nice accent color (hunter green?)

4. Replace the light fixtures with some larger ones.

5. To de-emphasize the railings, paint them black.

6. Plant some mums or other colorful annuals by the front steps.

If pressed for time and money, just do the first and last items. The others are pretty much optional.

Someone suggested removing the railing. If you decide to do that, make sure that isn't a code violation for your area.

I disagree with a lot of these suggestions. I think the house looks great. The white garage door and the trim are the only colors you have. If you painted these things beige or tan you would have a very plain,blase, realtors beige looking home. I'll bet that tree is gorgeous when in full color.And the limbs are high enough already. I do agree the front porch is very small but to replace the railings with wood would be an eyesore and something to rot when they get wet.I have never seen wooden railings that looked good for long.It would look like some handyman special.Plant some colorful flowers around that magnificent tree and sweep up.So make the front porch bigger because it looks like a backdoor porch and how much for the house and where do you live? I love it,I'll fix the porch

Raking leaves isn't an issue, since you said "a few years from now". One would imagine that you're not looking for advice specific to autumn.

I like the weathered look of the front steps but the white railing doesn't go with it. I, too, would remove it. If you need it, paint it black or something with an old-metal patina. Maybe find two large urns and place them on either side and let them get a little mossy.

The white seems a little stark, and the font used for the numbers on the garage is a little dated. Overall, I do very much like the shape of the house and the way it is framed by the trees in the back. Consider selling in late spring :)

I'd lose the sheared hedges. They date the house more than the brick does. Replace with some more natural deciduous shrubs, or more freeform evergreens to soften the lines around the house (or just let these ones grow into more natural shapes - prune out branches rather than shave a straight line). Burning bush on the sunnier corners would look stunning with that brick color in the fall and they keep their leaves quite late into the season.

I like the raised bed. To me, contained beds mean less work with edging :). Yank out the shrubs and fill it with hosta, bugbane, astilbe, bleeding heart, solomon seal, ferns, monkshood etc etc etc. I also like the idea of planting something toward the end of the driveway, but that's a fair bit of work.

To me, the tree is a bonus as is. It surely provides good shade in the summer to keep cooling bills low.
When the time comes, take your realtor pics when the tree isn't throwing a shadow over the living room window.

C.

I like it kind of the way it is. There are a few things I would do though if it were mine. I don't think the large tree is an issue. I think it is just the angle of the pic.

1. Replace the lights with something larger so the scale isn't off.
2. Replace the hedge with a bit more free form plantings, but still formal.
3. Paint the railings black
4. Paint the front door a darker color that goes with brick. Dk Green, black, navy blue are some colors that come to mind, but definetly not limited to those.
5. powerwash the steps and driveway and keep it up.
6. Paint the garage door to blend in with the brick. This way it isn'the focal point of the house and your eyes will be drawn to something else
7. Add some potted plants on the steps. For when you go to sell (not needed now if you don't feel like maintaining them.
8. Maybe add a flower bed around the tree with something shade loving. Something to draw the eyes down instead of up the tree.
9. Maybe add some traditional shutters (raised panel) on the sides of the windows to break up the brick some. Color would depend on what you choose for the door. Something that doesn't match the door and also doesn't compete with the color. Black/dk green/brown and paint the trim to match

I'd go with sage green on the garage door and trim, maybe a deeper green (hunter) on the front door. Or if you take the red suggestion, use a dark red, not a loud fire-engine red. Color is definitely needed. You can buy some bright potted mums pretty cheaply at Home Depot or Lowe's and either leave them in pots or put them in the ground.

Wow, some great suggestions everyone! Thank you so much. We aren't selling for a few years, but these are all great and doable suggestions.

The tree looks close to the house b/c of the angle of the pic. It's actually a good distance away.

We are in Brecksville, Ohio, and it's a wonderful town for a family (we just moved here from Michigan in March, and it's a lot more slow-paced, but we are still within 10 miles of downtown Cleveland if we want a more metropolitan arts and culture.)

When we moved in, everything was original 1959, but top of the line for 1959, which I guess is why it lasted all these years! We are slowly updating everything and removing all wallpaper.

Thanks again!

I agree with miac, the house looks pretty good (beautiful!) and doesn't need much.

The garage door looks original and in good condition (does it have a cool starburst detail?). Wouldn't change it or paint it. Whatever you do, don't replace it with a plastic door with elaborate little windows across the top. Ick.

The tree is nice, shrubs look fine. Make sure the planters and beds have a fresh coat of natural-colored mulch.

Your front entryway needs help. Powerwash the concrete, it looks really dingy and moldy. If you have the money, add slate tile flooring to the landing and steps. Give the railings a fresh coat of white paint. Get some big dramatic metal urns for each side of the door and put Christmas trees in them. Get some really stylish house numbers and hang them by the front door (instead of on the garage)

And just to show how people's opinions differ, I'm not crazy about the beveled glass front door. To me, your house has a modern look, and if I bought it I'd replace that door with something simpler.

My neighbor's house is nearly identical to yours. She had her garage etc. painted last summer and we were both amazed at the result. She started with the same color you have and replaced it with a gray-green + a similar color with more blue in it for trim. It brought the house into this century, and it has a far more elegant look. She also replaced her outdoor light fixtures with something more modern - not really so much different but lacking the long piece at the bottom.

I agree that the screen door doesn't show well and as for the porch, if you can do it, I would deep six the thing and make it wider and broader, - running it to the window.

I would paint all the trim, including the front door trim and garage doors an gutters, a sage green or something similar. I would paint the front door something darker that coordinates. You might want to empasize the details on both doors in something else, such as a duuky dark blue.

The front porch is unattractive and probably should be replaced. It would be nice to take out the retaining wall and shrubs as well. A new, wider porch would both look good and give some space for chairs and/or container plants. The new landscaping should be more natural and softer looking, perhaps with some hostas and small dogwoods.

If you can spend a bit more, it would be really nice to have a walkway that isn't concrete --flagstone, pavers, or the like.

Nice looking place, BTW!

get some leaves on that tree.

I like the idea of less glaring paint on the garage, and more substantial-looking railings up to the front door.

Otherwise, I'd just do the raking, pruning, etc

Stuff like putting in a whole new porch is just too much $$ for me. Even ripping out shrubs and planting new ones is more than I would handle.

(kidding about the tree, of course--but they filmed a movie in my neighborhood, set in the fall, and SHOT in the fall, over the course of several days. They took all the REAL leaves off the trees, and wired on fake ones. I guess this let them control how many leaves were there from day to day, for continuity. And influence the color a bit as well as keep it from fading--they stayed the same orange-brown. I was amazed that it was possible, but it made sense for them. And of course they had money to do it)

Houses in that age group often really do need new porches. We waited a bit too long with our first house, which was 50 years old when we bought it, and the porch slab cracked a few years later, causing the steps to fall off (on Christmas Eve, mind you!). We had to barricade the porch until spring, when it finally got warm enough to pour concrete.

So replacing the porch on a house that old really does add value and make it more appealing to a buyer. Besides, it would be nice for the present owners to use.

I like the White and the hedges. Beige will make the house too blah. I like neat hedges and so do most people in my suburb. If you need to replace the roof I would change the color, I think that is what gives it the blah feel. As for using a differnet color on the garage or any place else, get someone to photoshop it in for you to try it out first. No need to commit. There is someone on Home Decor, Squirrel Heaven who has done it for others

I posted this on the decorating forum, but here is a quickie of the garage door painted and shutters added. This could give you an idea of what color can do. I like just a little color and paint is a cheap fixer up, do it yourselfer!

{{!gwi}}

I'd get smaller numbers for the garage door.

As far as the front storm door goes, I'd remove it. When I was selling my house on Long Island, I replaced the old hollow core door with a beautiful solid core door. I was told to remove the storm door since heat would get trapped
and ruin the finish on the wood. Why hide a nice door?

killinsnakes - thanks for posting that photoshop of the doors! I don't particularly like that shade of green, but it's nice to see the difference. I think a nice hunter or forest green would look nice or a deep red.

WHY DOES EVERYONE FEEL YOU MUST UPGRADE.THEY DON'T UPGRADE VICTORIAN HOMES SO WHY A HOME BUILT IN THE FIFTIES? I'M JUST TALKING ABOUT THE OUTSIDE,WHAT YOU DO WITH THE INSIDE IS DIFFERENT TO BE MODERN. THE GUY WHO MADE THE GARAGE DOOR GREEN MUST MISS THE ARMY BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE A BARRACKS NOW.
FORMAL HEDGES ARE BEAUTIFUL,DONT REMOVE THEM.
JUST DO SOMETHING WITH THE PORCH BECAUSE IT'S TOO SMALL

Michael so fl: Sorry, but the guy that painted the garage door green wasn't in the army. I AM NOT EVEN A GUY (was it ok to yell that to you like you did me?). The only reason I painted it green, was because so many posts suggested a green. I also said that it was done quickly.....JUST TO SHOW COLOR.....NOT A PARTICULAR COLOR!
So, here are a few more, with descriptions of what I miss....for Michael so Fl. For the rest of you, it is just for fun to see what a little or lot of color could or could not do. Enjoy!

Red....because I miss the roses:
{{!gwi}}

Blue....because I miss the caribbean:
{{!gwi}}

Purple...because I miss The Artist Formerly Known as Prince:
{{!gwi}}

Navy.....because I MUST MISS THE NAVY:
{{!gwi}}

and finally...Lilac....because it was on the clearance shelf at the paint store:
{{!gwi}}

Hi,
Tis a lovely home! Grew up in one during same era & will be looking forward to what you decide to do. Some good ideas. My friend lived down the street & their house was similar to yours. Your white is better than the beige they had. I agree that the numbers should be smaller & moved to another location.

killinsnakes: Thanks for the laughter! Afterall, this is Veteran's Day....

Good luck & have fun making plans for your home.

Sharlee

When I saw the first of killensnake's color changes, I went "WOW"! I would say definitely paint the garage and add painted shutters. It really makes the house look more current but still retains its character.

Since you're planning on staying a few more years, I'd work on the landscaping. First, add more interest to the base of that gorgeous tree--enlarge the base area, put in something to set it off (pavers, low wall), or at the minimum, mulch it out a bit.

Add a soft, curved landscaping bed near the street next to the driveway. It doesn't have to be complicated plantings, but something to soften the approach to the house.

For the landscaping between the garage and the front door, I'd round the shrubs (personal preference, I know, but I think it'd be softer) and then add perennials in front of them.

Good luck.

--Beth
(I might post my house pics soon--we'll be selling in the spring and curb appeal is one of our issues)

I liked the green the best of killensnake's colors :-).

I like the garage door in white, I would think of getting rid of the rails altogether, I love the tree, I would maybe add some flowers or shrubs with coloring flowers. I wonder if some sheers or curtains hanging in the front windows would add anything. Do you have a light post/pole in the yard somewhere?

leave the garage doors white but I think the way killinsnakes showed us how it would look in different colors was awesome. I apologize about the army barracks remark but us Navy guys dont like army green.

Apology accepted. My late DH was a Navy guy too (Vietnam two tours). This is just all in the name of fun and offering suggestions to the original poster. I do have a little Iraqie camo too (sandy beige), he volunteered as a DOD civilian to help and did his part there too.

If you do paint the garage door, I'd go with killinsnakes red. It stands out without being gaudy yet makes the house look more appealing. Just MHO

Leave the White

You have a good looking home with lots of potential.

Since you are not asking for a short term fix, you may want to decide a scheme and color for your house and landscape that complement the house style. Any changes you make need to be integrated to the scheme and color. There are many landscape design books can help you with the decisions.

Since you said there is a space between front door and the tree; how about remove steps, rails and short walls and make a curvy terrace to connects the driveway and front door? Then add roomier, softer looking steps. You can tie the base of the tree to the terrace with flowers and plants. Put some sittings, a birdbath, wind charm, landscape lightings..etc. you have a nice outdoor room. This is just one suggestion, soon, you will realize there are tons of possibilities.

If I were you, I will also do something to the chain link fence by either replace it or cover it with vines or bushes.

Updating landscape and curb appeal is a fun and rewarding experience, you will like that.

I like the big numbers. They are a blessing to anyone trying to find an address on your street.

I don't think they would deter anyone from buying your house. But then, I liked the lilac pic, too.

Y'all are going to think I'm nuts, but the first thing I'd do is get rid of that tree!

Seriously. Here's why:

1. It's making the house look dark with no leaves on it. I can only imagine how dark the house will feel on the inside with the tree leafed out.

2. It's mature, aka, 'will fall over at any time'. Here in atlanta those trees are on the news regularly after every heavy rain because they've fallen onto a house or a car.

3. Leaves in the gutter, leaves on the grounds, acorns everywhere, can't grow grass under it. What a PITA!

4. If the tree is planted within 15 feet of the foundation it can cause big problems with pests and foundation shifting.

So, if I was looking at the house that giant tree would be a big negative to me. If I bought the house the first thing I'd do is remove it and replace it with an appropriately sized ornamental (like a "Sugar Tyme" crabapple), placed at least 30 ft from the house.

But, I'm betting I'm in the minority, here...

Love the big tree and white on the house. The white looks clean and I definately do not like the colors. I also think the white railings go with the house.