Curb Appeal

11 years ago

Any thoughts on how I can enhance the curb appeal of our new home? I am looking for ways to soften up the exterior. Thanks!

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avril4

11 years ago

North Arlington Residence · More Info

I love boxwoods but if that's what those round bushes are they look a little wonky and too far apart. What about replacing them with other shrubs planted more closely and of varying heights? I think adding some big plantings of of hydrangeas would look beautiful with the color of the house.

Entrance Patio · More Info

Maybe also salvia or catmint and knockout roses (super low maintenance and fast growing) in white or pink. I would suggest adding 2 small flowering trees like crabapples in front of front door. Not too close, as it looks like you could use some depth to the plantings. You could also use some height on the far right corner. And height at various points to break up the low plantings. I would also increase the depth of the bed so it starts further down the driveway and sweeps towards the house. A shape something like this:

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As far as the house itself, what about contrasting window trim of black or charcoal with the white? I would also pain the front door a glossy black and maybe add some black or charcoal square planters on either side.

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Comments (12)

User
11 years ago
It looks nice even on a cloudy day with no leaves on the trees! However, you could consider adding colorful accents in a larger planting bed along the front walk, including bushes with interesting color bark even in winter, plus flowers, colorful pots on the front porch, perhaps even a pair of purple adirondacks or similar on the front porch! Can't quite tell the color of the house in the photo, but thinking pinks, purples and whites?
Jasmine Almeida
11 years ago
I was going to suggest a couple bright yellow Adirondack chairs!
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decoenthusiaste
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I'm not a fan of clumpy, high-maintenance shrubs, so would remove those. I suggest you start an ideabook by searching the box above under Photos for hillside landscape or hillside garden. You're bound to find some ideas you like, we can check them out and then advise the ones we think most feasible for your home, hill and locale. It will help if we know where you live.
Theresa Holt
11 years ago
Yes, growing zone would be helpful.
Gigi
Original Author
11 years ago
The house is greyish blue in color. I am in the Northeast, I believe zone 6. Any ideas for window boxes or shutters?
decoenthusiaste
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
You have no need for shutters on your windows. If they aren't made to function they look silly and it is rare to see them on double and triple windows. Unless you are diligent about tending window boxes, they can get to be a downgrade to the home. However, if you are gung-ho about keeping them manicured, replacing "over-with" plants, watering and fertilizing, I think they'd look particularly nice on the two little gabled windows that appear to be on the garage at the left. Here's a big version that could work on the triple windows. Hang a matching piece under the porch to pull the look from the boxes to the entry. For the two small windows you might like an idea that I have done. Rather than a box, mount a thick board on brackets and cut out custom sized holes you can slip terracotta pots into. Makes a pretty look and you can switch out pots for new ones as the plants get too leggy, past their prime or no longer in bloom.

Frenchflair · More Info

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Here's a good simple style for your house.
miacometlady
11 years ago
I think the porch needs to be beefed up starting with columns. I know you can't fit benches but perhaps chairs facing each other like in pic 2? Perhaps a window box with low maintenance boxwood on far right, second floor window.
PRO
Landscape Oasis LLC
11 years ago
Large homes need a bold statement in scale with the size. Color, texture, lots of visual interest.
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Alison
11 years ago
Any other pics of the front entry? Currently all the round bushes are not looking even or equal. I would take out a bunch of them. Create a focus on the front. May need some curves or height on the left side to minimize the asymmetry.
Gigi
Original Author
11 years ago
A few more photos....
Alison
11 years ago
Thanks for adding the front pics. Seems to be a thing for large clusters of same plants. Looks like pathway is going from the right side of the house to the front door (along the two-story part)? Immediate thoughts are to put largely smaller plants along the front end of the walkway (where the purple plant is). From the 1st pic, it's looking like the right side has the majority of the bulk and variety of plants adding to the unbalance of house.