Need Advise on Adding Curb Appeal to This Little Fixer Upper.
+34
We plan on adding a new front door with a window. Need ideas on what color would look good.
34 answers
-
Florida house? Sea colors, may be cliche but they are so lovely!
Mindy C
on Jan 22, 2014
-
I love this house and particularly the color. You definitely need to take out all that worn out greenery...all except that palm looking thing at the right. Put a nice BIG pot at each side of the door so you can add Annuals for color for every season. Considering the heat, I would put in different colored low growing grasses (see photo attached). The grasses add to the tropical look. Sod the yard for sure.
Jeanette S
on Jan 23, 2014
-
That doesn't look like Michigan! You definitely need something taller in that area to the right of the front door (which looks like it has some great detail—go bold with a punch of color). If you tell us where the house is we could probably come up with some suggestions.
Douglas Hunt
on Jan 24, 2014
-
You are right! The house is in Florida
Carole Crawford-Evon
on Jan 24, 2014
-
Sea colors would be great, but my initial reaction is to keep the cream, paint the trim a dark sage (maybe some trim around the windows) and build a fun natural wood pergola (similar in color to the roof) off to the right for some height and outdoor space. Just thinking outside of the box, but it will be lovely no matter what you do!
Erin@UpcycledUgly
on Jan 24, 2014
-
I don't see a whole lot of problem with the color but you could add some interest with the trim and door. I agree with Jeanette that the old landscaping needs to be revitalized. Keep the Robellini Palm, maybe add a shade tree in the front and some better foundation plantings, If the grass is St Augustine fill in the bare space with either plugs or sod. I don't know what county you are in but a lot of the extension offices have demonstration gardens to give you some ideas. You can also go to //edis.ifas.ufl.edu and search for shrubs for Florida. Good luck
Leona G
on Jan 24, 2014
-
As far as the lawn, the pictures was taken last year when my husband filled in the bare spots with topsoil and added grass seed. I don't have a new picture, but the seed took and the grass is now filled in. We plant the palm and three green and white scheffleras.
Carole Crawford-Evon
on Jan 24, 2014
-
Personally I think some narrow shutters for trim on those windows in a sea shade of blue/ green would add a lot to the picture. Trim door and garage door in the same shade.
Betty Ganung
on Jan 24, 2014
-
Carole, without knowing budget and details (exact zone in FL, favorite colors, plants, and maintenance desires), this is my suggestion for South Florida and low maintenance. You can see bromeliads, hibiscus, bird of paradise, African irises, lantana, and crepe myrtles. If you have the budget, I would change the windows on the left (facing house) to match the windows on right, and add additional matching light on right side of door. Make sure irrigation is effficient.
Teresa Watkins
on Jan 24, 2014
-
Oh my goodness, what a change. I love it, but of the left side of the front door as you are facing the house their is a concert sidewalk all the way up to the house, so nothing can be planted there. But, I will gets some pots with similar plants in them. We do have an irrigation system. Thanks!!! Love it.
Carole Crawford-Evon
on Jan 24, 2014
-
Bromeliads do well in pots. I think it's better to have the plants nearer the house in containers as you really shouldn't plant within 2 feet of house foundation. Email if you need anything else! Also you can add lantana to corner roebellinis to bring the design to the corner.
Teresa Watkins
on Jan 24, 2014
-
I use pots next to my door because of cement. I have great success with trees, shrubs and palms. I like the instant height that a planted tall narrow tree/plant brings and it does not become massive. The pot creates interest but the plant makes the landscape not look like it ended abruptly.
Gwen
on Jan 24, 2014
-
Since you are in Florida, we would recommend adding some shutters to your home for mild storm protection! Our Bermuda shutters are perfect for homes in coastal environments as they reflect a beachy-feel. They are hinged from the top and will allow that warm breeze to flow naturally through your house. If Bermuda/Bahama shutters are not ideal, a Board and Batten style would look great. They add a certain charm to coastal houses as well!
Timberlane Shutters
on Jan 24, 2014
-
Thanks I like the idea of shutters, but the stone is not flat and I don't know how they would work.
Carole Crawford-Evon
on Jan 24, 2014
-
I live in Florida and In my area you do not see many shutters on homes but the homes are colorful. My home is painted Bagel by Sherwin Williams and it is a beautiful color. Your trim could be white and the color choice for the door would be endless. Mine is a bronze brown. Except for the first bush on the left the other bushes do well in Florida. I would plant bushes in groups of at least three. And a pot to the left of the door with some type of grass or bromeliad would be perfect..
Peggy
on Jan 24, 2014
-
I love it - A Brick walkway up to the door would be awesome. Also cut gardens into each side of the walk way and line with lovely flowers and shrubs.
Linda Crandall
on Jan 24, 2014
-
This door would be lovely with the brick - total cottage curb appeal
Linda Crandall
on Jan 24, 2014
-
well my first thought was a slightly darker color on the grout between the stones to make a little more definition ... not extreme black or real dark just enough to make the stones and the grout separate.. The new door idea would be good, trim color to accent as well. monkey grass lining the walk and the side of the drive way is a great way to draw the eye from the road up and to the entrance. a Large driftwood stump or wood look where the rock in the front yard is would be nice as well, if you like that sort of thing...So many possibilities... stand back at the road and let you imagination and thoughts of what YOU might like guide you...
Buster Evans
on Jan 24, 2014
-
I think a steel blue would be pretty.... with trim in ivory..... start from there...
Intelletta
on Jan 25, 2014
-
Carole, color!!!! Consider narrow shutters at the door, or at the windows. (Not both places.) Low growing evergreens, native to your area, would be great in the small planter in front. Stick a few pansies in between in the winter, marigold in the summer.. With water being such a huge problem in so many places, I would get rid of a lot of that lawn. You have a wealth of beautiful plants to chose from in FL, so go for it. The BEST source of info is-of course- the State Dept of Agriculture, you should have a local representative. He/she can give you more info than you ever dreamed possible. ENJOY your yard!
Nancy J Goldwire
on Jan 26, 2014
-
Thanks for all the advise, hopefully I can use some of it and it will turn out nice!
Carole Crawford-Evon
on Jan 30, 2014
-
I will for sure post after pictures, thanks
Carole Crawford-Evon
on Jan 31, 2014
-
I think I would do a light spraying of a "brick ofr the stones OR if you have the ability to "wash" a grey over the entire surface but where it would 'capture' into the "grouted' areas but leave the stones "the color they are at present that would give a POP of that stone! plus if you use a grey then your lawn/flower front yard will become your focal point! you could paint the front window frames and the door frame a "Brick" color or a reddish and that would POP that curb appeal too! I PERSONALLY happen to like the white picket fence with the walk-through arbor with Lilacs dripping into your face! but that's just me!
Rita Doyle
on Feb 01, 2014
-
I like the white picket fence look also, thanks
Carole Crawford-Evon
on Feb 01, 2014
-
I suggest a darker paint/stain on the front door, and the trim color needs to be added. instead of a 'straight' walkway I would go at a diagonal and plant 'monkey' grass along the path. Isee you have a large rock in the yard.. make a circle garden there and fill with perriennals
Nivasi Frankly-Speaks
on Feb 01, 2014
-
A potted evergreen under the light. Paint the door red. New landscaping with some 'curve' instead of such a straight line. If you can't screw into the rock, you might put window boxes on legs under each window.
Cindy Moore
on Feb 02, 2014
-
I think your house has lotof potential. It is color perfect with good architecture features and this iswhat I think dark buffer with low growing plants. Using your palm tree and green bush in frontyour house then adding small evergreen & blooming trees to create the massplanting at the end repeating the same group planting only with smaller plantsby the driveway. I also think a soft curve walkway (or pathway)in front of small group planting by driveway connecting driveway & walkway.Expanding walkway new walkway (or pathway) only close to doorway it would make alarger focal point to main entrance doorway. (REMEMBER TO WORK WITH THEHOUSE ARCHITECTURE AND DIRECT THE PEOPLE TO WHERE YOU WANT PEOPLE TO GO OR SEE)I use your house as a Ginny pig with the software that I’m trying out. I hopeyou can see something...
Corvera Outdoor Living By Design
on Feb 02, 2014
-
How about window boxes, to add some color, if you can't do shutter, because the stone is raised?And a few standing and/or hanging flowering plants next to the front door?
Polly Zieper
on Feb 03, 2014
-
What a wonderful clean slate you have! I can't wait to see what you do.
Bella-Rina's Grammy
on Jul 26, 2014
-
Shutters on windows (black or very dark purple). New door, consider leaded glass (you will be amazed at the difference this makes and on the inside will offer light , door color black. light fixture should be longer and black (your house is too modern for window boxes or Picket fence). Loose all bushes. Plant different heights and colors , maybe a piece of yard art. A very large container next to door to replace the largest plant. Make sure the "meter" is some what hidden with the new plantings. Overhang and garage area painted in a color closer to the roof color. When choosing paint colors, remember color appears lighter not darker from sample.
Bid1284308
on Feb 14, 2015
-
The first step I would take would be to take a drive around the city and snap some photos of landscaping you really like. Then, if you are brave, go knock on the front door and ask the homeowners about their landscaping! You get some strange looks, but usually the homeowner warms right up and is more than happy to share tales of all their hard work!
EdiLeck
on Feb 14, 2015
-
I think some sculpted landscaping from the driveway to the front bushes. Maybe border it with similar stones as your home.
Deeno Moss
on Aug 19, 2015
-
Front patio to left of front door with colorful umbrella, cushions on chairs, shutters to coordinate with umbrella. Consider few trees to left and in front of patio. Varigated lirope is wonderful for under windows. Crepe myrtles are a favoriteam of mine for low growing trees. I keep mine trimmed up from the bottom so they look like trees, not giant bushes. Good luck.
Judy
on Jul 20, 2016
-
If your house is white/off-white I wouldn't do a white door. It all blends together.Drive around and look at the colors of doors in your area. Are you doing a wood door?
Polly Zieper
on Jul 20, 2016
Sign Up to Answer
