Need help with outdated and bland 1950's rambler/ranch

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

My fiance and I bought our first house! It's a 1955 and it's seen better days. (Please ignore the giant yellow dumpster that's blocking the garage on the right hand side.)

Long term, we're going to re-do the retaining wall, re-level the yard, and were thinking of putting a walkway to the house from the street. We're also considering adding a A-frame roof that extends the front a bit.

WE'VE ALREADY TAKEN OUT THE SHRUBS IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. WE'LL BE STARTING FROM SCRATCH IN REGARDS TO LANDSCAPING.

***Any budget suggestions to give this house

some curb appeal in the meantime would be appreciated (aside from painting the door, the house, etc which are a given). Any suggestions to give it some balance? What about the entryway? I think the door is obscured by the bland door color and the porch which nearly blocks the view of the door, making it seem uninviting. Suggestions to improve that?

Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

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Comments (8)

everdebz
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Just me but I'd like to see it without greenery, and closer up to see the porch, etc...

then 1 or 2 of the sides of front yard... :)
B Domike
10 years ago
Redo the front porch to have wrap around stairs and put some colourful pots on the retaining wall if it's not too cold for planters yet.
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everdebz
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Maybe a different material for the addition:
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everdebz
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Is this funny idk - but could have rain pouring toward the driveway and away from house!

Use same material for new retaining wall, idea. Several articles under "stories" if you haven't been reading them: [https://www.houzz.com/magazine/outfit-a-ranch-remodel-in-updated-style-top-to-bottom-stsetivw-vs~9473645[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/outfit-a-ranch-remodel-in-updated-style-top-to-bottom-stsetivw-vs~9473645)
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eveuchan
10 years ago
I wouldn't waste your money on a walkway to the road. It'll never get used. Spend it on a larger front porch. Have the stairs in the front with a curved walkway to your driveway.
Andréa Wallis
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you guys for all the ideas! I feel like you've given us some really good things to think about!!
Bette P
10 years ago
Take a look at midcentury exterior one storey home photos in Houzz and the internet. Embrace the midcentury feel!

If you removed the 'colonial' looking bits which are: (the front porch/deck thing, the shutters, the lighting, the landscaping, the garage door) you have a midcentury looking home. Run with it.

Have your sidewalk go to the driveway, so that visitors getting out of a parked car in the driveway walk onto it. You could have a flowerbed/shrub bed under the living room window, see photo 2. You could do mass planted perennials, easy care and effective, pick one type but put a lot in (last photo) Plus an interesting specimen tree on the other side of the sidewalk into the yard area.

Maybe a pergola would be better than an A frame on the roof, it might be better on the budget too. See photo 1.

Add a midcentury looking door, hardware, lighting, wood or a slab garage door. You want clean lined choices.

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PRO
Access Custom Garage Doors
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Give thought to the importance of the entire curb appeal including the fact that the garage door can be seen upon first glance. Whatever accents you add to the front of your home, consider a new garage door. There are so many budget friendlier options these days with doors. Feel free to reach out for further information!

www.AccessGarageDoor.com

858.638.0300