So the entry door is partway down the driveway? Possibly moving it would be fantastic for the interior's floor plan - but it sounds difficult to re-work that.

I think you'll get several ideas -- an awning at the entry door.

Also outdoor lighting, shining on a tree or 2 is always welcoming... and placing some kind of lighting at entry corner, and area could be good....

You live inside and the foyer and living area are fine once you are inside. Changing the location of the entry door will change your living area a lot. Currently, outside you have an entryway for cars but it is not clear that it is also the entry for people. What if you created a small paver patio beside your driveway near the house in front of the front bedroom. Add a bench and large potted plant, even a porch light. This becomes an obvious "people" place. Then, cut your driveway and inset a paver walkway that leads from that front patio back to your front door where another matching porch light connects the two spaces. You could have a matching large pot and plant near the front door.

Don't take your precious living space to create an entry. What would you do with the current entry space? It would be pretty much useless.

Consider elongating the windows in the living room for more curb appeal.

Consider something with a railing that let's you know where the front is. Landscaping will also help detail the front.

Would lose a window but could consider a big glass door or big side lights. I agree with the others that you would have to consider the loss of living space to create an entry- and what to do with the now three entry points to the home, I would keep the closet by the current entry or maybe expand it and close off the side door if you do a front entrance. It looks like you might use the back mid room entry a lot as a person living here and the front would be guests.

While the orientation of your new home is unique, the layout is very nice and very functional as is. And there is a patio with a pergola in the back! 😊 Professional landscaping that keeps the mature trees and incorporates well-suited, low maintenance native perennials will give your house its much-needed curb appeal. Redoing the driveway will also help in that area. If you want to promote your “side” front door, do it with paint or something that’s almost two-dimensional that will not encroach on the driveway, like shutters or trellis. Curious to know what the front door area looks like…make sure it is light and bright and welcoming. Motto…embrace what you have and accentuate the positive!

I wonder if you can reclaim some of your front yard that is sloped? It won't be cheap, but I think would look great to do a retaining wall closer to the street and fill in that area so you have a front yard. I see several retaining walls in the photos, so I think it would be approved. You could then do some nice planting and even a small patio.

Actually I think you would lose more than you would gain by putting the entry door on the front of the house Just put nicer windows in the front and some landscaping.

These side entry houses were designed to optimize the plan for the lot. And if this house is in CA, when is the last time someone walked to your house? They are going to drive and they should be able to figure out where the entry is.

Video showing landscaping designed to fix fining the front door which is on the side of the house.

https://youtu.be/7Miu9vuUuhE

How much did that cost? Just to give the Poster an idea of amount they need.

Thank you all for your input! The problem with the way the house is set up now is that the front door faces the neighbor’s trashcans and side of his house which is typically neglected as most people focus on their front/back yard. It’s just not very appealing.

Power wash the driveway. Let it dry thoroughly, and then decide if the driveway must be stained for a better, more evenly-toned, appearance. Put an awning over the front door…high enough that a vehicle with a camper or a delivery truck will not hit it. Continue the low front yard wall across to the driveway and upslope to the front wall to contain the mud runoff from the dirt section. Fill and plant that dirt area to help unite the front yard areas. Volunteer to provide a fence enclosure with a gate for the neighbor’s garbage bins….they may take the hint and do it themselves, but don’t count on it.

The problem with the way the house is set up now is that the front door faces the neighbor’s trashcans and side of his house which is typically neglected as most people focus on their front/back yard.

Oh!

Then consider moving the bathroom and having a dining and living room opened to one another.

Could you put up a fence along your property line so when you come out of your door you see the fence, not the garbage cans.

Or just offer to build your neighbor a trash enclosure. A lot cheaper than renovating.

Many years ago my parents lived in a home with a front door into the living area and a side door off the driveway. Guess which door we used for day to day living? Guess which door was used by strangers/guests?

Looks like the LA area where we have a 'sliver of paradise with concessions'! I agree with your issue about the side entrance to your beautiful home not being appealing.

Here's a sketch over your floor plan which you may want to consider.

1- Have a walkway and stairs up to a porch. The porch can stop at the living room corner or continue the length of the front of your home, allowing the primary bedroom to have access to the porch also.

2- Locate the front door as indicated. I understand most people would not want to cross through the living room to the kitchen, but the long "runway" of space could be amazing.

3- Close up the side door and add more closet storage.

4- Install the wet bar across from those closets, since all the plumbing is right there. And the access to the wet bar from the living room is so convenient.

5- Now, don't be mad at me, but consider flipping your kitchen and dining room. It seems the existing kitchen is small and poorly located for today's active family. This is just a quick idea for a kitchen layout with a large island with seating and pantry wall for fridge, wall oven, and pantry.

6- Add sliders to the back patio (adding to existing patio) from the now new dining room, and stairs to the garage area. This will provide two entrances and lovely access to the backyard.

Not knowing your style or your location, this is an inspiration pic for your front porch/entrance.

yes this is in LA! thank you great ideas here :)

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