Flower boxes with FAKE flowers.

Hi appreciate the suggestion, but we don't want to use flower boxes with real or fake flowers. Thanks though!

Well, plants would make the biggest difference. Don't think I've ever seen houses right up against the sidewalk! Otherwise, wash, maybe paint railing white, look for a lantern with a little more personality.

Looks like there is too much hardscape for anything to be planted anyway. How about you pressure wash, consider a more lively color of paint and then buy some typical NE tchotkes to hang on that porch wall. These items may be on the small side for your facade, but I bet you can find some appropriately themed ones in your area that are big enough to make a statement. Or, you can have an artist paint some typical NE items on it. Should be a fun project and look that will catch attention.

Cast Iron Decorative Wall Mounted Lobster Hook, Rustic Red, 5" · More Info

Rustic Black Cast Iron Crews Quarters Sign 9'', Vintage Cast Iron, Nautical · More Info

A more vibrant color palette might be all you need! (Although a more substantial entry lantern would be lovely, too)

Lattice skirting good and maybe a colorful trim and door color...

Maybe steam clean the concrete...perhaps a stain on concrete...if steam cleaning is ineffective change...both easy diy projects

Yes to power washing, including concrete, changing the door color, painting the railing, and increasing the size of the outside light. I would also consider painting the stair risers white and getting a larger address plaque that you add to the front wall. I like the idea of brass for the light as well as a kick plate, door hardware, and mailbox.

I also very much agree that a hanging basket would be a lovely addition.

a bigger light paint your steps, maybe a grey and front door red

Change the entry light to an overhead one. Pick a blue or green shade to highlight the band of windows as well as the two upper ones.

Not a Pro.

After power washing the house and painting the front door and railings, Change out your light, add a door knocker, hang a flag, change the mailbox, add a door mat.....go nautical.

Here is some inspiration:

Antique Brass Nautical Anchor Door Knocker · More Info

Nautical Outdoor Wall Sconce (Solid Brass / Indoor / 10+ Finishes), Unlacquered · More Info

Anchor Welcome' Infinity Custom Doormat, Natural, 2'x3' · More Info

Beach & Nautical Lighthouse Shore 2-Sided Vertical Impression House Flag · More Info

Good idea. Get rid of the siding where the steps are. Perhaps paint a mural on that blank wall.

Have an a picket fence attached to the siding, to give it a bit of relief.

Yes to power washing, painting the railing, painting the concrete stairs going up to the house. I too like the idea of a brass mailbox, address plate, and light. Then take a step back, repost, and decide what color to paint the door.

I would forego the nautical theme. It feels a bit cheesy to me. Not sure why people think it is odd for a house to go right up to the sidewalk. Seems normal to me. And, if you don't want plants or a hanging basket, don't get them. If you are in NE, they won't last during the winter anyway. Do what *you* want to do!

I would just replace the wood stained railing with a white painted one, so it continues the trim of the house, and paint the door a brighter color - either red or royal blue. You don't need to junk up the outside of the house with tchotchkes.

Oh, how about you paint some flowers behind the picket fence.

Finally found a pic to give you. But taller in your case.

Eclectic Kids · More Info

:::

Power wash house and steps, stain steps if needed (paint can be slippery), new mailbox, numbers, paint the door. A new light would be great.

There’s too much happening on that little wall. I would do a short pendant light (has to end 6” above door). Move house numbers to that front wall (the street one) and leave mailbox on the wall by the door.

As budget allows, paint the house and work on fixing the missing authentic features.

Beautiful navy blue siding, white trim, red door, brass accents. I would lean toward dark siding due to proximity to the street. Look at the first one.

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/editors-picks-our-favorite-blue-houses

I’m sure you’re looking for a few minor suggestions but I don’t see how you’re going to get anything worth doing if you don’t open up and restore the front porch for starters. There’s no dimension with the enclosure and no focal point, I.e. the original front door location. The house probably has original clapboard under that siding....if it were my house I would rip it off and restore the clapboard, install appropriate railings, etc., pot some evergreen shrubs and trees (low maintenance) for transition from all the concrete and furnish the porch for cool afternoon chats over lemonade. You might just start a trend in the neighborhood!

I loved Penny's Old HouseGuy link.

Not a cheap option with 6 windows, but floor length windows, trim to mimic porch columns and lattice porch skirts would add some architectural detail to a flat stretch of siding.

I really like the idea of opening up the porch and adding evergreens at least. One of my cousins in arid West Texas has her hanging baskets on a drip line with a timer so you could make plants low maintenance if you want them. At least get a wreath for some Faux greenery. For holidays garlands and buntings could add seasonal color.

I would put a proper skirting on the porch, as someone recommended above. Then add a picket fence, like Laura Hill's first photo but a dark fence. Navy might be a good nod to a nautical theme. Put 3 large half-barrel planters between the house and fence, and plant with a hardy evergreen shrub in each one.

Like many others suggested, a new color would be the biggest impact, though not the cheapest one, of course. I agree with another commenter that navy would look amazing. I’ve crudely drafted that up in the pics. A slightly cheaper/easier option might be adding color to the trim. Taking a hint from your door, burgundy might look great, then paint the door and the steps a navy or dark gray.

Even if no siding/trim color is changed, beef up that railing and paint it the color of the trim. Then a new overhead light as many others suggested - like the one from Rejuvination.com, pictured (it comes in many colors). Perhaps adding some larger, modern house numbers to the front corner as well.

Like everyone else has suggested, clean everything then paint the stairs, railing and door, swap out the light fixture and mail box. If budget allows, a cool new front door and railing would help. Another inexpensive option would be cafe curtains in a striking fabric on the porch windows. If all else fails, stick a nice wreath on the door. Cute house!

Love the navy.

I agree with others, the way the trim steps down with each step is hideous. Looks like a cheap landlord cover up.

In fact, that whole lower section of siding looks like a cover up. See how it sticks out from the line of the window sills? The way the board on the bottom doesn't meet the concrete properly (and isn't tall enough)? Everything about that looks like a handyman cover up.

Try this--look around the neighborhood at homes like yours; try to find one with original details. I think it would be great to strip all of that front siding off and do it right.

Wow! Really thanks so much to all for their wonderful and creative ideas! @hellumme thanks for those awesome re-touched photos wow! Navy and blue is my favorite color! Also @pennydesign I love all your ideas, and I agree that much of the original character was removed by the previous owners but installing the siding over everything.

So many great ideas to consider! Thanks all.

Keep us posted when you have tackled this project. Good Luck.

Will do! Thanks!

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