Hi Justin,
Congratulations on your first home! I used to live in Long Beach...love that city! To help with advice, is the entire structure in the photo yours to enhance any way you like? There are many charming, older homes or duplexes in Long Beach so just wanted to confirm before people start offering suggestions.

I think it has loads of charm as is, so fresh paint and a bit of new landscape could go a long way just to get started.

Hi Rinda,

I do own the entire structure. I definitely want to repaint, I just can't figure out the colors. I'm also trying to figure out how to replace the grass with something a little more drought friendly

I think adding awnings would be nice. I'd paint the trim brown/black; dark brown mulch and large potted plants. If you have the budget to improve the symmetry, install matching railings and stairs. If not, play up the difference by keeping a distinct difference in the foundation plantings.

That is great the the whole structure belongs to you. I assume one door is the front and one is a back door? If so, I think I would take the grass out near the front door and replace with Spanish style pavers (or you could use crushed rock) to make it look like a patio.

A project like this can seem overwhelming, especially since this is your first house. I like to say "each step determines the next". So if you want to paint your new home, that probably should be the first place to start. That way if you do replace plants, etc., they will not be damaged by painters...and you probably want to use plants or potted plants in containers and you want to make sure the colors work.

There are lots of drought tolerant plants that can make the front of your house look vibrant (and they do not have to be cactus). I would recommend going to a nursery rather than someplace like Home Depot or Lowe's. You will get excellent guidance on what types of plants to choose. To save money, you can buy smaller plants and watch them grow (I just did that and was amazed at how quickly they grew). Two plants off the top of my head I can recommend is Rosemary and Lavender as both are drought tolerant.

If you take out the grass along the street and add plants and mulch, I would include a couple of pavers so that people exiting their cars on that side will have a place to step other than on your new plants.

I think that some of the paint companies (Benjamin Moore comes to mind) has on their web site the ability to download photos so that you can tinker around with paint combinations to see what appeals to you. When you are ready to paint, make sure you buy a small can and paint a small patch on your house to make sure you like the color in the available light you have.

You can also spend an afternoon at a close by Barnes and Noble and look thru their gardening and interior design books for inspiration. While you do that, certain things will pop out at you and you will know if it is something you want to try.

Just know that your home looks very charming already....so any improvements will only continue to enhance that. Have fun. I look forward to seeing how this home turns out.

Cute casita! look at Santa Fe style books for color schemes and decorating ideas. the white is
classic so leave it if it is in good condition. l would change the garage door color. Sand it down and stain the wood and add black iron work hard ware food a more Spanish colonial look . Or paint it a pale smoky teal or sage green and paint window trim to match. it is a tradition to trim windows with blue or turquoise.
l would switch the tall evergreen shrub hiding the stairs and the Grey plant closest to the driveway to balance the arrangement. plants with grey leaves handle hot dry climates and these look like dusty miller or artemisia. the grass near the curb could be replaced with gravel or crushed granite and a few red yuccas. they would pop against the white stucco. anything you pull out of the front could be used in you backyard. a set of three large Terra cotta or brightly glazed pots between the steps would add interest and color. fill them with easy care native grasses, agaves, yuccas, or hearty herbs,
you need more visible house numbers , maybe in black iron or hand painted tiles. larger black iron lamps would add character and safety.
I have rambled a lot of ideas, take time to figure out what you need most. I would work more on the back yard from other post but you may feel something else is more important. congrats on the house.