Any ideas to upgrade the front of this cookie cutter house, please.?

last year

Hi! I would love some ideas on how to upgrade the look of my cookie cutter house. (attached). I'd like to replace the front door with sidelights and glass and remove the tiny window in my foyer. Also, the two front bedroom windows are poor quality and I would like to replace those. Would the photo I have inserted of the "windows built out" look okay? The vinyl board and batten siding is also poor quality and the brick knee wall is starting to collapse and needs to be removed. If I get new siding installed down to the ground, would it make the house look less "squat"? Lastly, would stone look good around the front door and also on the bedroom window area? I don't want to make a mistake and make the house look too chopped up, but I am determined to redo the front so that it doesn't look like everyone else's in the neighborhood. Thank you so much in advance for any ideas you have!

Featured Answer

B .
Original Author

last year

Well, this photo is my actual house on my lot, taken by the realtor. I am sitting in it right now. Green door and all!! Maybe someone who has a better disposition has some ideas.

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Comments (12)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
Is the first pic your actual house ?
B .
Original Author
last year
Yes. It is a rendering of my house.
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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
Please p[ost a pic of the actual house renderings are for when the house is not built.
B . thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
B .
Original Author
last year
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
Better but still not your house on your lot . In the new pic landscaping since that will go a long way to improve curb appeal The rest is up to the buget .The inspo pic is nothing like your home slapping fake stone on the front is IMO not an improvement on most homes and you already have some stone if that is actually your house . A nice wood garagw door with windows and the front door to match would warm up the exterior a bit . I do not understand why the reluctance to post a pic of your house on your lot
Sigrid
last year
If the house is the one in the realtor's photo, it doesn't look squat to me. It looks pretty good. I'm not sure I love the slightly minty trim. I wouldn't bother to bump out the windows. The advice in the old song is what you need, "If you can't be with the one you love, honey, love the one you're with." While perhaps not your dream home, there plenty to love.
B .
Original Author
last year
Got it! Thank you for your kind response.
einportlandor
last year
The picture is small so hard to see but since you're replacing the siding and windows . . . would you consider horizontal siding and beefing up the trim? I'm not sure about adding stone -- I'd spend the money on a beautiful new door, light fixtures and landscaping. See what you can do to make the driveway and garage less prominent and the entryway more inviting with a pathway, plants, etc. Your house is really cute, it just needs a bit more or your personality to make it yours. Have fun with it!
B . thanked einportlandor
B .
Original Author
last year
I love this advice--Just what I was looking for. I can save money by forgetting about the stone!. As for the siding, should it go all the way to the ground? The brick knee wall is already falling away from the house, so I need to either get it removed or have it fastened correctly.
einportlandor
last year
B. - I'm not a designer so hesitate to recommend the best siding scheme. If no friendly designers chime in here, I'd do a couple of things . . . look at a bunch more houses similar to yours here on Houzz and in your town and see which appeal to you, then talk to two or three siding contractors and ask their advice. There may be technical reasons to keep or remove the existing knee wall. Show them pictures, get an idea of costs, then go from there.

Take your time and be careful not to over-improve your house for the neighborhood. Landscaping will take you a long way to get the look you want and you can do much of that work yourself over time.
B .
Original Author
last year
Appreciate your advice. Thanks again!!