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Tips for Modernizing the Outside of My Home

3 years ago




I'm looking to remodel/modernize the exterior of my home. I bought it last year, June 2021, and it was built in 1977. Does anyone have any tips/recommendations for things that could be done? Any feedback is appreciated.

Comments (21)

  • 3 years ago

    I think your home is lovely as it is. I’d be very hesitant to mess about with it. Imo ’modernising’ it would only ruin it.


    Balcony boxes of hanging red geraniums would complete the pioneer/Alpine chalet look.

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    Brown was very populat in the 70s, so lighening the house which seems to have good bones, would really help



  • 3 years ago

    It is a really charming house! I like the board and batten, the front porch and the stone foundation.

    How about a light gray tan on the siding and railings and a brighter color on the front door?

  • 3 years ago

    I agree with @BeverlyFLADeziner. Lightening the Brown. Solid Brown Stain was all the rage in the '70's. Nothing wrong with woodtone in a wooded setting, a lighter woodtone would show off the wood texture and hightlight the Board & Batten and a softer compliment to the stone.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Your house is very nice looking. I would keep it like it is, and work on the landscaping. Its definitely not a modern styled house. Please play up what it is, and not what it isnt. It will never be modern styled, unless, of course, you put a whole lot of dollars into redoing the entire house. The setting appears a bit woodsy, and the color it is, makes the house fit right into its surroundings.

  • 3 years ago

    Thank you all. I do like the style of my home. I will have to start replacing pretty large portions of the sideing as it's deteriorating where the stone and wood meet. That's what's driven the whole idea of a remodel. I was more so thinking of paint colors that would bring it a little up to date, I really don't enjoy the poo-brown look, but I'd never dream of painting it all white/grey like virutally everyone else is doing these days! lol I'm not opposed to earthen tones or keeping the board and batten look. Just wanting to maybe add an accent color or changing it to a time/style appropriate color that isn't the dark brown.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Great house! I think you could add a pop of fun color at the door with paint - also the planters/pots are very traditional so you could update those as well

  • 3 years ago

    I like your house, please don’t go gray. As someone who needs railing on steps make sure flower pots don’t interfere with their use. yes yes, landscaping will add a great look.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    I would embrace the mid-century modern and get rid of any "cottage" elements.

    I'd actually go a different direction and paint the siding, trim, and garage door a charcoal color, pulling the color from the darkest gray stone. I think it will make the stones pop and it's certainly modern/on trend.

    You could get rid of the faux-divided-light windows and put in new windows with bronze/black frame and just one large frame.

    You could replace the porch railing with one made of simple black steel.

    Google "mid-century modern front doors" and see if there is one you like. Or even just a simple full light door, either clear or frosted glass.

  • 3 years ago

    So cute. I also love the brown - and I wonder if finding a door color with a little more pop would satisfy your desire to update it? I could see something in a red tone - and if you wanted to replace the door itself, maybe one larger light, rather than the 12 little ones?

  • PRO
    3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    It is not MCM but you need to post pics of this on a sunny day so we can actully see the house. I also would like to know what your thought is on what is modern. IMO the house does not suit the windows you have so start there and replace with no muntins I would change the railing to something more modern and then check out some 1970's modern homes for ideas for color . I do like a darker color but I agree a dark gray would be better than the brown if there is gray in the stone. A front door and garage door both in a more modern design and the garage door with some glass in it.

  • 3 years ago

    What does modern mean to you? First question…can the muntins in your windows be removed? I would do that first. And consider a more simple, all glass front door painted a bold color like lime green or chrome yellow or orange. A new porch railing with metal cable vs. spindles. And…keep the board and batten but paint it all black. Then….landscaping! Your home is charming and has character. Good luck!

  • 3 years ago

    BeverlyFLADeziner has a very good eye. Find a brown that coordinates with the stone — it looks like there’s a taupe-ish stone that makes up about 30% of the mix on your foundation which is close to the color Beverly sees in her mind. It complements the roof color as well. Then, you either need additional or larger hanging baskets over the railing with fuchsia or trailing pink geraniums or petunias. Having the same flower in groups of three or 5 (think of the step planter as the additional) has more impact. Add additional timbers to the right side bed so that the top of the box is parallel to the porch surface rather than the sloping sidewalk and stain that the same as the siding.

  • 3 years ago


    This was the photo from the listing before I bought it. Best show's what the actual house looks like, but the landscaping is different now.

  • 3 years ago

    By modern I'm meaning changing the porch to an updated look. Maybe cedar posts and railing, or something darker. Changing out all the windows and front door. The window seals are broken, so they have to go no matter what. And possibly getting a new garage door, like what was mentioned above. Also, new paint that isn't this shade of brown. Just looking for suggestions.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    I love a chevron/diagonal style door on a modern mid-century house like yours! Like this but ideally without windows - https://www.doorvana.com/garage-doors/premier-aslante. And stained dark charcoal.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Am I missing something? Not seeing an MCM house anywhere on this thread, stellarceline.

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    NO PAINT ON WOOD. You can use a solid-colored stain but acrylic paint is going to peel over time. The stain will penetrate the wood and not peel.

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    It's a nice house and I love the stone base. However, there is an overabundance of brown and the porch is just plain dark. I understand hesitance about painting the wood but the walls could certainly stand to be lightened up. Love your tree but it is unfortunate that it is located in front of your entry door and obscures it.

  • 3 years ago

    Wish that big tree wasn’t smack dab in the middle of your front door because wider steps and a great railing system, wood or wire would be nice. Like the lighter siding idea too.