The only suggestion I would make is to add shutters to give the house more definition. Other than that, I can't see enough to be able to comment. Your grass is green and mowed so that always adds to the curb appeal.

Post more pictures of the house itself, and you'll get more response.

You could try framing out the boxy shape a bit.
Look at this curb appeal project we did. The first two pictures show what we did to give the home a "face-lift."
http://centurion-homes.com/sugarhouse-addition-renovation/

Thank you for the thoughts... I will add more photos soon!

Your best bet is to do two things. First soften up the house with some plants. Low bushes in front and some taller ones on corners to soften up the lines. Second thing is to bring some definition out front by planting some gardens out at the end of the drive by the road. It will help defined the property and guide the eye. Hope this helps.

Ken Nesland
Ken Nesland Landscaping
www.kenneslandlandscaping.com

Your house has no pop, it reminds me of driving in N.J, and coming across a mirrored build in the trees. I took a few minutes to realize just what you where looking at and how well it blended in with the surroundings. If you like that Idea, paint your house light green. If not pick a color that stands out and you like.

Thank you to everyone for the suggestions...

Here are a couple of other pictures to show more detail

Thanks again for the help / suggestions as I am truly stuck with how to give our new home some curb appeal :)

You could add some stone around the bottom of the light posts, something like in this pic, maybe chunkier, then add a large boulder in the area at the center of the driveway between the trees and the plants. That area could be bordered in stone and more plants and mulch added instead of grass, because I bet that is a pain to mow around everything. Stone could also be used to replace the landscape timbers on the planting bed close to the house. For the house, everything is same colour. I would paint the trim for more contrast.
http://houzz.com/photos/1015981

Marlene,

Great ideas... Thank you!

I love that picture and would even paint the house that color if it wasn't for the brown roof that is only a couple of years old.

Anyone have any ideas for paint colors?

I like the main house colour, but my top choices for trim would be a mocha, ivory , or an olive green. Some inspiration photos below.
https://www.houzz.com/photos/2013-southern-living-custom-builder-showcase-home-rustic-exterior-phvw-vp~5772492

Beautiful setting and lots of garage space - Its nice that you have a simple 'blank slate' with good bones to start with. Some added window and door trim would help differentiate the openings of the house. Consider painting the front door surround with a Cranberry red or other bold color that says 'welcome'. It would also benefit from some landscape highlighted at entry and in central planting zone. and a very large planted pot (in a bold color) on either side of garage doors. (same as front door color) Think texture and color as it looks shady overall. Burgundy leafed small entry tree(vertical) with glossy green shrubs (middle ground) and low grassy and or flowering plants at front entry edge. replace the 'blinding light' fixture on driveway with an updated carriage lantern or so, with frosted panels and bulb, vs. the clear. Add some to the house near the entry to highlight and help people find the door. and if you want to really make the entry sequence magical add some down lighting through those trees with a focal element to attract attention and help guide the way in.

Marlene
I love the idea of Mocha Trim... I'm personally not a fan of the exterior color but it would save a lot of expense by not repainting it and it was just done to prepare the house for sale so your idea will definitely help alleviate some stress on the budget. Thank you!

Quercus2:
Actually there are frames around the windows, doors and corner posts that are about 4" wide! The homeowner had them all painted in the same color as the body of the house for some reason??? So with a little paint your idea will work quite easily :) We definitely will not be adding shutters however, I'm wondering what you think about window boxes? I have a beautiful oak door with beveled glass that was never installed in our previous house... Do you think that could work in this situation? If yes, would you still go with taupe for the garage doors? I wasn't sure since there are two huge doors. The landscaping is definitely sad huh?

bprince300:
Thank you the setting and the way the house is situated on the lot is what attracted me in the first place. Its funny on first glance I did not even notice that there is existing window and door trim but we will definitely paint that out. I like your landscaping ideas especially the down lighting in the trees!!! I come home late almost every night and that would be a nice welcome home. Would you suggest just two planted pots or would three look good: one on either side of the garage doors and one in-between them? Your right the 80's definitely want the driveway lighting fixtures back! LOL

Centurion Homes:
I like the idea of building on a feature to give the house some more detail. I will post a picture of something I saw here locally yesterday that your suggestion made me think might work well on this house.

Ken:
I love your landscaping ideas and your suggestions have definitely helped to get me started. Your thoughts will definitely be used as I begin working out a plan. I really like the idea of brining the landscaping to the street especially with such a large property.

Fred:
Ha your right it does look a little like NJ LOL
The house is actually in Upstate NY so you're not far off. My hope is to give the house a little more presence without it becoming overwhelming...

I am wondering what people think about The roof element over the window as a possibility over the window on the front if my house...

Train ivy in a large trellis design on large wall. Large evergreens on either side of front door.

One thing that would update it is to reface the diagonal siding right in the door recess - if you like the contemporary look of the house above, you might place a larger entry porch pad with angled stairs down and remove that useless rail . . . . . i like the metal roof element but would rather see you upgrade right at the front door if you want a change . . As for color, there are some wonderful camoflauge greens that are timeless with earth toned roofs and bronze windows . look at bm creekside green http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/creeksidegreen - must stick to a shade lighter than the roof so as not to upset the balance of power . . but yellow with tan is never good . . here's an entry pad that does something super and would complement this entry . . [houzz=] You won't have as many steps . . . you might clad the pad and stair in a square format natural slate for modern lines but natural elements

you could use horizontal wide wood cladding at the diagonal recess right on top and even space it apart for a more modern look/ back paint the existing a dark olive and wash the wood with a softer green undertone camoflauge watered down so it would weather out green brown gray - like bm nantucket gray http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/nantucketgray
Trim the house in the same deep olive tone - like dakota woods green http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/dakotawoodsgreen
If you want a more traditional overall feel, put shingles on the inset, paint them the lighter color and paint the trim soft tan . .

Now you can either put a modern door color on for contrast - i like the earthy eggplant tones for a contemporary look - and red in the red orange family for a traditional cottage effect. bm brick red or bm caponata . (or mix them if you like modern with warmth or traditional but unique)

Keep the colors neutral to blend in with the landscape. But a contrasting trim color would be nice. I'm trying to determine what type of exterior finish you have?
Some carriage house garage doors would really give the house character.
Some stone on the sides of the garage doors and up to the bottom of the window on the right would weight the bottom and give it more of a feel of blending with the setting.
All in all you have a great slate to begin with.

Libradesigneye:

Thanks for your thoughts. Your idea about expanding the front porch ad incorporating steps to do away with the railing sounds great! As you suggested I'm also thinking the diagonal siding needs to be addressed as it dates the house and frankly really bugs me. lol In keeping with Hiline Builders ideas I'm thinking I would like to add stone to that area to update the look and add a natural element. You color ideas are awesome but the budget is getting out of control as we are working on the interior as well. I' going to add a photo of one thought that might allow me to keep the main body color on the house and simply highlight the trim which the previous owner had painted in the same color as the house...

Hiline Builders Inc:

Your ideas are very helpful. I especially like the idea of adding stone to the façade. The house is situated in walking distance to a lake so the natural elements would be right at home both on this house and in the neighborhood as well. As the budget allows I think adding carriage house garage doors will be a nice addition. In the meantime do you have any suggestions about what color would be best as a temporary and inexpensive fix?

Thanks again to you both for your ideas,,,

Looking for opinions about using this type of trim color with the existing body color currently on the house... I'm thinking possibly a Walnut Stained front entry door with red accents incorporated somehow...

I would add some color like flowers(roses, hydrangea) or maybe add some evergreens or decorative grass like pampas grass or maiden grass or colorful bushes what would give color in every season?

I came across this photo, and it reminded me so much of your house, I had to share. If you are wanting to add stone to your house, maybe find that, and use colours in stone as inspiration for house colours.

Marlene,

Thank you... It's funny I found that picture too and added it to the idea book for this project :)

I'm struggling with the choice between the mocha trim color and the off white like in the picture you shared.

I'm definitely leaning towards the dark color on the garage doors though...

Any thoughts on which might b a better choice for the trim???

Btw...
How did you add that picture to your comment?

Valecrest, I added the picture on my Ipad, which is very easy, cut and paste. On a PC, you need two tabs open to Houzz. You can then go back and forth between tabs, using one to have discussion open, the other to search. When you find a pic you want to include, right click and pick embed photo. Highlight the wordpress shortcode, right click again and copy. You can then go to first tab, and in comments section, right click and paste.
For trim, I think the white looks fresh and contemporary. While mocha would probably standout more on the existing colour. Not much help, but you could paint a couple of window trims off-white to see how you like it, and it would also be easier to paint over darker if you don't.

Definitely pay much attention to the trees in the center. Maybe consider swapping it with a gorgeous willow tree to create a grand impression?

Marlene
Thank you... I usually use an iPad as well.

I'm actually leaning towards the off white at this point to brighten and modernize the house. Plus if I paint the garage doors a walnut type color I think that might begin to be oppressive if the trim is dark also. The windows themselves are a dark brown / bronze so it will all probably tie together nicely???

Lori

The idea of a willow tree in the center of the driveway really didn't occur to me. It would look cool!!! There is already a scraggly willow in the mix of trees there. The area is a little wet so it is the perfect spot...

Two questions:

Are you thinking a weeping willow?

Will the roots destroy the paved driveway?

I think that is a good choice.

I would suggest you paint the siding a soft white or soft off-white to contrast from the cinnamon brown roof. Then, paint the trim a bright white and add cinnamon brown shutters to give your home personality.

Old post from 2014

sheilaskb resurrected this 2014 dilemma