Do you need to park vehicles in front of the house, or is the garage/back area sufficient? It looks like the slanted concrete addresses drainage issues and prevents flooding. You want to understand that before making changes.

Cute house with lots of possibilities! Provided there are no issues with water drainage in the front, below are some ideas. Choose a complimentary color to trim out windows and the stripe on the awning. Paint the foundation same as the siding. Then landscaping to bring to life. Don't know your plant zone so need to consider.

Odd design is right because the facade has zero put into any attractiveness. It's all odd function with the side entrance door and stairs to a lower level almost like a duplex. Knowing the layout would possibly help. And how much you want to invest or can diy.

This is the only way to get to the basement ? What is in the basement ? I need a bit more info. I agree an odd way to handle an entry . Is there another door to the outside somehwere? Can you post pics of all 4 sides of the house and property ? This really looks like the back

Almost looks like that front gabled portion of the house was originally a covered porch and that, at some point, that space was enclosed? What are the dimensions of the room under the front gable?

If so, the proper way to handle this would be to restore the porch.

The house was built in the 20's, the basement is acessible from inside the home and the acess to outside in the front of the home. As you can see there is also a back door.

I also love the blue foundation but all the way around the house. And the blue trim but all the way around. And the blue decor. And the blue steps.

I like Jennifer Hogan’s ideas. I would also consider window boxes with trailing plants/ flowers on the driveway side of the house to break up that concrete jungle with some greenery. An ornamental tree about 15’ from the right corner of the house (maybe eastern redbud, a flowering crab, serviceberry, etc.), a larger container planting at the end of your driveway (in front of the front steps/ sidewalk), and landscaping along the front sidewalk a would go a long way. I can’t decide if I’d keep and paint your current awning or look for something different— the current awning is definitely a vibe that fits with your house!

Is there a coal cellar under the concrete? I think I have seen this before, and that was the issue.

*scratch that idea regarding a large container. Instead I think you should build a wooden rectangular box/ raised bed on top of the concrete (about the same height as Jennifer’s proposed deck) as a way to separate the end of your driveway (in front of the house) from the “sidewalk” im front of your steps. Plant with annuals or grasses.

My grandparents had one of these bulkhead basement doors. Usually, they were in the back of the house and were used to move bulky items in/out of the basement to avoid using the narrow interior stairs.

@ratherbesewing - I have the same type of door, but the owner did specify that this was cement. Could have been a bilco door at one time, but if it was cemented over I wouldn't be looking to replace it.

There may also be an oil tank (or was one at one time) in the basement (for heating). It is unfortunate that they put the access in the front of the house instead of the back.

You definitely need some landscaping. It doesn't look like there is a tree in the front yard. Plant a small one that you can afford and in time it will be beautiful, and draw the eye away from the front of the house.

Can you show the layout of the interior?

Why does the foundation look blue in front and gray in back?

A drop-dead gorgeous landscape out front would enhance the whole property.

It looks like there's a tree just outside the photo to the right. You could add a sweeping bed of azaleas (roses, spiraea, native shrubs, or other waist-high shrubs) edged with perennials that extends from the tree to the front sidewalk area.

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Some option for better balance