Can anything be done to improve the front of my house?

4 years ago

Hello,

We get the keys to our new house this week. It's a bit of a mess but we are looking forward to making it home.

We are struggling for imagination on how to make the outside look better. I know the facias need painting but I don't know what colour. The red painted wood to the side that looks like a garage door is just a false front that you can't fit a car behind. The front door needs to be changed too as it is old and rotten.

It all looks a bit odd and a bit ugly right now with such a mixture of styles that I don't know where to start!

Any ideas very welcome please!!! Thank you.

Featured Answer

Sonia

4 years ago

Such a pretty house and i don’t think it will take much to spruce it up. As Beano has said those conifers near the front door need to go as does the one near the garage. They could interfere with your foundations, and insurers won’t like them. I would research door styles for the age of your house and replace the front door. The garage door would look good painted the same shade as your choice of front door. Green-grey always looks lovely with red brick, although any period colour would look good. Something like this

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Comments (10)

sarh123
4 years ago
I don’t think it’s ugly at all and I think adding some colour to the garden will help whilst you decide on front door/garage. What about some bright pots under the front window?
Charlotte thanked sarh123
Anthony (Beano)
4 years ago
Is it a semi or is that your whole house behind the trees? If it’s all yours I’d have those trees down, if not I’d be trimming down as much as possible.

Yes, door needs changed and tidy up the facia and soffit, new garage doors/door and I think new sliding sash style widows would look great in that house as the red brick gives the impression it’s quite an old house?

If it’s an all gravel front, possibly reinstate a bit of lawn and some borders.

For what it’s worth I like the frontage, a few changes and it could look superb
Charlotte thanked Anthony (Beano)
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Jonathan
4 years ago
I also think this is a great house. I think it is let down by having too much drive (I would rather see a little planting near the front window to soften it).
I think the windows are a mismatch and at the very least the downstairs window should be replaced to match the newer one above- alternatively you might put multi panes windows in which is probably what it had when built.
The garage door means that with the brick there is too much red- black/white/ grey would all be better.
Obviously the sofits need repainting. I like them black.
The trees are unruly. I particularly don’t like the yew near the garage and would want that out fearing the damage the roots could do. I like large planting in garden but I think these were ignored for too many years - I would try cutting them all back and see if you can get them to grow into a better shape.
Charlotte thanked Jonathan
Juliet Docherty
4 years ago
Blue/black soffits and garage door would look good with the brickwork. I would also consider putting in some kind of dark (charcoal) edging to give definition to where the gravel ends. The tree on the right is very large, I agree with Jonathan. Lovely house though, really nice proportions, how exciting.
Charlotte thanked Juliet Docherty
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The Designer and The Decorator
4 years ago
I would add a large rectangular planter in front of the large window and either do something simple like lavender or box to add greenery and soften the front.

Otherwise once the rest of the garden is planted out and (as discussed by others) painting the front door and garage it will look fantastic.
Charlotte thanked The Designer and The Decorator
sarh123
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I think this house is roughly the age our old house (1910?) was and as Jonathan said could have had multi paned windows? The gables etc were not painted but were stained with a very dark "sadolin" branded product and needed little maintenance. We had an oak door, but I know that's not so fashionable now. I've put a part photo of the house below I'm talking about and have played around with your photo as well (sorry it's a bit wonky!!). The planting and cutting back makes such a difference and I don't think the grey net is helping the appearance at the moment!

One thing which we have learnt - we've now moved into a house with upvc windows and internal glazing bars and I hate them. We previously had timber double glazing to copy the traditional multi paned profile although there are now "heritage" upvc windows which look the same. Authentic multi paned windows can be quite a big investment but I think are worth every penny if looks matter.
Charlotte thanked sarh123
rinked
4 years ago
I'd also suggest to get inspired by houses from the same era, especially for colors. There were smaller window, bigger windows, multi-paned, etc. Draw something up that you like. I would suggest something non-white or at least combined with white. But yes, some more balance on both floors, such as 3 vertical bars, even if it were just the top part of the downstairs window. (hope that makes sense, excuse my english) And please remove/replace these trees for something smaller and more welcoming/open.
Charlotte thanked rinked
Emmanuelle
4 years ago
Lovely house and great ideas above...
In addition to above, I would change the glass on the left of the front door for ‘normal ‘ glass, maybe simply etched if privacy is required. Changing the windows curtains to maybe blinds would also modernise the general look. La Redoute uk has lovely and affordable semi sheer blinds made of linen that would look good there! Let us know of the progress!
Charlotte thanked Emmanuelle
Charlotte
Original Author
4 years ago
Oh thank you so much everyone for your ideas! I'm looking at it so differently now. I believe the house is an interwar ex local authority semi, but I googled some pictures as suggested and it does look older?

Thank you ring, sarh123 Jonathan and Beano for your advice about the windows. Looking at it now, I think they are the reason I don't like the look of the house, particularly the downstairs window. Unfortunately sarh123, your lovely pictures have sold me on the multipane look which I probably can't afford right now! I will get a quote though just in case.

Love the ideas for colours for the garage etc. Forzaitalia, do you have a particular paint colour in mind that would give the green/grey look like in the picture? The blue/black looks really good too though. Would it still look ok with the windows left white colourhappy?

I'm looking forward to cutting back those trees too! The pictures of the planters are gorgeous and will definitely take on board what you have all said. I don't think I can remove the tree by the garage as it is not on my land though.

The front door is old and not very secure so I don't know what to do with it yet. I agree, emanuelle that the window to the side doesn't look very good and the stone cladding on the bottom will probably look terrible when i have cut the trees back. I will have to see how the budget goes for that though as there is a lot to do inside - it is a bit of a mess in there... but at least it is mine:)

It's amazing what a few pairs of fresh eyes can do so thank you very much!!!