Based on a walkway I had added from my front door to the sidewalk, I would suggest a curved walkway instead of a straight line. It really added some softness to all of the hard surfaces and was visually interesting.

Paint the door bright blue the first weekend you live there -- it will be cheery and make you feel like you've claimed it for yourself. After that, catch your breath before taking on the outside, as getting out of boxes and into the inside will be intense enough. Spend that time looking a pictures of small yards and how they might be made neat...

My son and I were able to install a paved walkway last year by ourselves. I highly recommend this process. It was easy and not expensive at all.

We used Brock Paver Base instead of the 1/2 ton of gravel we were told we'd need as a base (for a walkway about 5' long). These panels weigh almost nothing, I mean really almost nothing. And they cut easily with a utility knife.

After you dig out where you want your walkway, you level it with regular sand. Then put these boards down, and cover them with pavers. Then you use Paver Joint Sand between the bricks that gets hard when you wet it. I had to replace a little bit of the sand this summer, but everything else is doing great. I'm so glad we used the paver base instead of all that gravel!

(click on the links in the paragraphs above to see the products)

Consider making your path curved rather than straight. It will be more interesting. You said you want to wind up without lawn - what will you put in its place? Plan it out before you put in your new path, so you won't have to re-do it.

If you're going to add flowers, start thinking about what bulbs you might want to plant this fall. It will be very exciting next spring and keep your momentum going.

I like the idea of a blue door, here is some inspiration with turquoise doors on brick houses. I think you can also use the idea from the 2nd picture and put flower boxes under your small windows on the front and side(s) of your house.

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karenemily - We live in the upper Midwest. I like the idea of having a seating area out front, I had not even considered that!

Imcallis - yes, I agree a curved sidewalk would be great. The previous owner started to add some curves with the flower beds out front but then boxed them in with straight lines of gravel. Curves are definitely needed, haha!

acm - I love the idea of claiming it with a new door color. Since we will be moving in the middle of summer, I doubt I will get to plant much. Research will have to satisfy me until next Spring.

Inexpensively you can use dark gray (add some brown to it so it echos the warm gray roof and siding) concrete stain on the steps to the front door. Eventually, you might put slate or some other textural stone on them. Then the stone colored lintels under the windows and around the door will read out like they should. If the white window frame / sash is paintable, i would consider taking that in the direction o fthe siding ..guessing it is white vinyl tho.

Get a full light black framed entry storm door. Consider yellow / butter /golden sw bees wax for a front door color. ..

Add decomposed granite in a warm tone over the gravel in the hollywood drive / or plant succulents there if you are in a warmer climate.

Finally - congratulations .. long term you could add some dormers up top tha twould be like clerestory windows for the rooms below if you don't have a second story / bring light / function to attic if you do. Plant a tree in your front yard - a small flowering tree or a large flowering shrub that you keep in tree form. You can mulch a large circle around it to keep the weeds down . . go for a cottage garden of layered flowering shrubs . . evergreen in rear, otherwise lower / interspersed.

orangecamera - Thank you for tip about the paver base! That would be a great time saver.

My hope is to have a lawn-free flower garden that incorporates as many native or drought tolerant plants as possible.

The turquoise is gorgeous. I'm not sure how to handle the storm door in front though. I'm sure after living there for awhile I can decide if we even need a storm door.

libradesigneye - You brought up so many great ideas! You are correct about the white vinyl so no painting the trim :( I love your idea for the front door and steps. Also, sprucing up the drive would be fantastic... we were thinking we would just be stuck with it until it was in our budget to replace the entire thing.Thank you!!!

Here is a great looking Cape Cod we put an addition on and remodeled in Maryland.

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