Wow, that’s such a simple and great idea! 😍 The only issue is that my driveway will be H-shaped, so I won’t be able to relocate the bougainvillea there since the ground will be covered with asphalt

So move it somewhere else. Obviously its current placement right in front of the windows was a bad idea.

" The only issue is that my driveway will be H-shaped, so I won’t be able to relocate the bougainvillea there since the ground will be covered with asphalt "

So reposition the driveway/asphalt. Landscaping, including the bougie, along a blank façade will add much more curb appeal than a solid asphalt driveway.

I'd recommend you leave an spot of dirt for plants in front of that wall. It doesn't have to be large. You could have a trellis and a climber.

Paving the goes right up to the house is one of the big giveaways for a garage conversion. Getting rid of 4 -5 ft of it to make room for decent foundations plantings goes a long way towards getting rid of that look.

I already have the permit for the garage conversion, so that’s not really an issue. However, the approved permit for the driveway requires it to extend all the way to the wall. I was considering adding a faux window or something similar.

Why would the permit require the asphalt to extend all the way to the wall? I have never heard of such a requirement in any building code. A fake window will look cheap and terrible IMHO.

The issue with the giveaway on the garage conversion is not that someone will wonder whether you have a permit, but rather that YOU don't want it to look like you are living in a garage.

The H-shaped design was approved by the city, and the plans show asphalt extending all the way to the wall. Since we’ve already been waiting forever for permits and approvals, we don’t want to make any changes that could cause further delays. That’s why we’re sticking to the original plan. I agree with you… faux windows aren’t very nice tbh…. I’ve looked everywhere, and they all look terrible 😫

I was also thinking of big box modern planters for that space 🤷‍♀️ don’t know.

What's an H-shaped driveway?

It’s a driveway that has a central drive with two perpendicular parking or turning areas, forming an “ h”

Before going into suggestions is this what you mean by an "H" driveway?

Same question...an H driveway going right up to the house?

Similar but not quite. More like a lowercase h

You can have boxes with things growing there, easy. Trellising or interesting artwork. Do up the wall with a crazy mosaic. Depending on the rules of your area, a freestanding pergola with furniture to enjoy sitting outdoors. I don't know if you want to move teh tree, but it is blocking a lot of the window. Depending on how the driveway shapes out, you might be able to edge the border of that area and along the edge of the "h" with nice border stones.

The Bougenvilla has to go, the placement is not right and it looks old and leggy. Purchase extra large pots and plant a new Bougenvilla & flowers in them. Colourful plants will go a long way,

I think it is better to plan what you really want than to stick with something you don't just to avoid a delay. Unless you love the 'H' shape with asphalt all the way to the house, you will have years of being disappointed that you didn't change the plan.

Here's an idea of what you can do by installing Bahama shutters on the large window and a fake window with a large Bahama shutter on the extension part. I'm showing the house with blue accents but can be done in another colour you'd like.

Sweet, that’s pretty cool! A big thanks to those who dedicated their time to designing and sharing their ideas… I really appreciate it 🫶

Interesting design. I assume it's hard to get out of your driveway. Well, since you don't want to change the plans or deal with the permit again, I'd do a large planter with a taller tree/plant towards the left to block the view of the downspout. Like elcieg's picture upthread.

If it were me i would find a temporary delay far superior to a permanent plan that screams garage conversion forever.

Lisedv- What a great job! I love your ideas! Can you help me with mine? I posted it yesterday.

Thanks, Susan

Totally agree. Lisedv ‘s idea was great. We need more people like that. Instead of criticizing he/she offered a great idea.