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grantguy

Incorporate Craftsman Look into Boring Exterior

10 years ago

We're looking for an affordable way to spruce up the boring exterior of our home. We've discussed incorporating a wood door, wood garage door, and replacing the columns with a craftsman look. What would you recommend to turn this boring exterior into something with more curb appeal? Only catch - you're stuck with the tan siding and brown roof, as it wraps around the rest of the house and replacing those would quickly blow our budget. Paint the brick to match? Thanks for any help.




Comments (9)

  • 10 years ago
    Nope leave as is. Add gable pediments. Do craftsman style columns. If that is prohibitive, add square columns. Add craftsman style shutters and new garage door. If you can do a new garage door, add coach door hardware to fake it. Stained craftsman door and light fixtures. White is your friend!
  • 10 years ago
    The zigzag flashing around the tops of the bay windows and porch are a little distracting to me. Is that standard installation?

    Painting the garage door and adding carriage hardware would be an easy update without replacing the door. Squaring the columns and changing the shutter style and color might help, but this is more a colonial style, which without a big change to the facade I agree won't look very craftsman.
  • 10 years ago

    Wow thanks for all the comments and effort. Rocketjcat what shuttler style would you recommend, and what garage door color? The flashing over the bay windows is probably my largest pet peeve (aside from the brown/orange roof). We love craftsman style homes - but perhaps the better question is how do we boost curb appeal with keeping the tan siding and brown roof. Beverly's comment of changing the posts, and canopy is a great and affordable option - any other ideas on color or additions? We're tired of the being the brown box on the street.

  • 10 years ago

    I'd paint all trim/shutters white. Add a blue door. To balance out all that brown, replace the shrubs along the walkway with colorful flowers to grab your attention.

  • 10 years ago

    Wife and I aren't too crazy about blue doors...any other color combos that would work there? Need to figure out how to hide/change that awkward flashing above the bay windows. Not sure what color we should go with the garage door. Love the suggestion of the carriage hardware to the door - we'll definitely be knocking that out.

  • 10 years ago
    Can you paint the flashing to blend in with the brick?
  • 10 years ago

    I would do away with the shutters completely. They're too small and most of the windows don't have them any way. I would beef up the columns as suggested. How about painting the door a deep rust. BM has some nice ones:

    Pilgrimage Foliage 2175-20

    Firenze AF-225

  • 10 years ago

    Don't make it into a Craftsman style, it'll look forced and fake.

    Looks to me like you just need some contrast for more visual pizzazz. Here's the door painted black, a black garage door, wider shutters, some black exterior lights, and some dark green in the landscaping. I've added a post lamp and some pachysandra to pull the visuals forward -- that gives depth to your house.

    Perhaps switch to drapes in your bay windows. If you pull the drapes to the sides, it will look graceful from the outside. Currently, your window shades are adding to the bland blank look.