How can I add curb appeal?

Lynda Campbell
by Lynda Campbell
I want to add something to the front of this house, either stone or an arbor.
  18 answers
  • Kayo Frazier Kayo Frazier on Apr 27, 2015
    Here's my 2 cents...I would repaint the house white & change the red color to a dark charcoal grey or even black. I would add black shutters on the windows. The windows above the door?? I would add faux stained glass from end to end. I'd remove the shutters on either side of door. Replace w/ more faux stained glass. Change the door for something w/ Baroque details. I'd leave the tall grasses & trees. I would add window boxes. Then I would widen the garden area to about 5-6' & add on both sides wildflowers & herbs mixed.
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    • Kayo Frazier Kayo Frazier on Apr 30, 2015
      @Lynda Campbell Ok well, the way that section is framed out it looks like windows. Anybody looking at it will see that & get confused. It fooled me. The boards over the openings on either side of the door can still be replaced by something that still keeps the privacy but allows more light in...Thought stained glass might work...More colorful than plain frosted glass...Obviously not your thing, so choose something else that works better, hell change the color of the boards.
  • Jessy Jessy on Apr 27, 2015
    I was going to say maybe repaint house and add nice stone walkway. If you keep the house way is, I would just say simply add red mulch.
  • Workerbee Workerbee on Apr 27, 2015
    I would start my edging the side walk to the front door so it is clean looking. I would then enlarge the sidewalk closer to the house and make it as wide as the door and the side lights, if that is what they are I could not tell by the picture that would give you a nice landing area. With a large cement pad by the door it would be more welcoming, you could put flower pots with lots of color under the side panels. Then I would enlarge the planting area around the house with a possible sidewalk to the drive way. Good luck! and enjoy what ever do.
  • Mikell Paulson Mikell Paulson on Apr 27, 2015
    I would do what Kayo said and I would ad a colorful flower bed down both side of your walkway. Color will add a lot to this house and yard. I would make this a 3 color house. Body, shutters, and a bright happy door color!
  • Country Design Home Country Design Home on Apr 28, 2015
    Hi Lynda- it is difficult to tell what that space is above the doors from the photo, but first I would paint out the trim the same color as the house so it blends in with the front of the house. Adding an arbor would create a nice entry, but I would do it across the front beginning with the edges of those top cutouts so it includes the front door and the two side panels. Then you can plant around it, adding flower beds and mulch. Painting the doors, trim around windows and side panels a color will add a lot of curb appeal to your home. If you are not sure about the color, choose a color that will go with one of your favorite flowers-whether its red or blue or even green.
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    • Country Design Home Country Design Home on Apr 29, 2015
      @Lynda Campbell Wow- that courtyard must be amazing! I think that the arbor should start at the base of the courtyard opening and follow that line to the ends of it on both sides. (You could make it go just to the outside of the two openings, but I say go big : ) I would still paint out the trim around the courtyard opening-from the street that should just blend in with the house. Have you considered removing the wood panels from the two side openings and replacing them with glass blocks or stained glass- you still get privacy but allow light and will look a bit more welcoming. Then paint your door and trim a pretty color and add your stones and planting beds around the foundation of the arbor.
  • Maureen estell Maureen estell on Apr 28, 2015
    Hi Lynda! It's difficult to tell from the pic, but is that an open courtyard behind your front door? It would be lovely if you built a pergola instead of an arbor at the door. Then you could put a border of stone (or brick) edging the existing front walkway thereby slightly enlarging it, and perhaps the landing by your front door under the pergola. Have fun in whatever you decide to do!
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Apr 28, 2015
    There are a lot of straight lines on your home. I would start at each end of the house and make large curvy lines running to the walk. I'd also use white indoor window treatment on the left to match the far right window.
  • 1388315 1388315 on Apr 28, 2015
    Hi Lynda, the picture is not easy to see the detail, But I would remove the wood panel on each side of the door, then again I would remove the door, think metal ,, if the court yard is appealing then bring it forward with a rock or stone path to it. By open the front of your home then the plants needed to bring your curb appeal will come with the open space. As for the two real windows on the house they need to match (either one has a tint or a way darker window treatment on it) this makes the house look awkward?? sorry the all of the current plants need to be changed (i.e small shrubs cross the front or with a touch of color in between).
  • Ilona Elliott Ilona Elliott on Apr 28, 2015
    I would run a hefty board all the way across the front, at window top/door top height, at least to the outside ends of both windows, and use it as a ledger for a pergola over the door way area, that is as wide as the courtyard openings above the door. Plant it with regionally adapted vining plants. I would also bring some planting out into the front yard, as it is very flat. Maybe lavenders along both sides of the walkway, or some other shrub you love--flowering low growing roses or boxwoods. I would also beef up the plantings in front of the house with some low growing ones to give a layered effect to that planting. And if it were my house, I would paint it something more exciting than white. It's a unique place and needs color to make it's character really shine!
  • Lucy Nunn Lucy Nunn on Apr 28, 2015
    I would absolutely add an arbor above the door and side lights. Heavy, redwood, significant. Then cover the walkway with stones to emphasize an earthy, Napa look. Very cool house.
  • Heliane Ripley Heliane Ripley on Apr 28, 2015
    Give the walkway to the house a more clean look by edging it with a border stone. Get two matching tall planters, plant them with something tall and something drapping and place them on each side of the vertical wood thingies. Fertilize the lawn so it looks more healthy. You got a great 50's bungalow and I would not change anything on the building itself. Unless it needs a new paint job.
  • Lee Cunningham Green Lee Cunningham Green on Apr 28, 2015
    I like that your house doesn't look like everyones house. Are you considering paint? I would actually embrace some white for the main color of the house and keep the trim brown or even make it a slightly darker tone. I would also add some trellises to either side of your front door for some climbing flowers, I would also move your small red tree to the yard a little bit to off set it visually, edge the walkway and finish it if you are able. I would also move the other little tree in the same manner just a bit and fill the flowerbeds with short blooming shrubs like azaleas neaten up the plants you do have and add lots of fun flowers down the path on either side. Red Mulch as suggested before is a great idea, . I think your home could be darling. Have fun. I love your home
  • Beth Ward Beth Ward on Apr 29, 2015
    How a bout some architectural looking tiles lined up where the indoor patio starts. Cover the area around the door and windows too. If you can find someone who makes architectural ceramics near by you could also do a door surround and window surrounds and tie it all in. Like Lee says, play on your house's uniqueness. I love your house.
  • Texanforever Texanforever on Apr 29, 2015
    I would add a wooden pergola over the door where the the missing roof line is. A pergola adds light and lets air circulate. Down each side of the sidewalk plant with flowers. Change the front door to one with a window in it, depending upon your budget.
  • Lynda Campbell Lynda Campbell on May 11, 2015
    This house has a floor plan of a horseshoe. The center is open with a fishpond, plants and sitting area.
  • Sue Ryan Sue Ryan on Aug 10, 2016
    this is what I would do.
  • Kimberley Hosmer Kimberley Hosmer on Aug 29, 2016
    I agree that you should play up the uniqueness of your house. I also agree with moving the trees, and for more than design's sake. Tree roots grow at least as far out from the tree as the tree is tall. They can cause problems with your foundation. So doing this before they get too big is essential. Be sure to refill the spots so you don't create water collecting low spots. A pergolla with some trailing vines, maybe even grapes? could be lovely, and offer shade at the front entrance. Looking at your pic, I'm tempted to suggest adding a wide, low porch or patio, and extending the sides of the pergola out to create a shady, seating area on either side of the front door. A couple of glider chairs or a swing and some potted plants... I like the idea of red, also. If you can't replace the door right away, perhaps painting it red could add that pop of color. Seems a great color to spark against the white. I'm thinking to paint the trim in black, and liked the idea of tiles. Look at some southwestern mission style houses. Not sure where you are located, but in west Texas, you often find windows with wrought iron Barr's over the windows, and the classic red tile roofs. These also offer added security, but be sure you can unlock them in case of emergency. Or, if that is not your style, maybe think of adding some shutters at the windows, or trellisses? around them. Consider the MATURE height of the trees, and think about placing them where they will provide shade to the house, as well. Not only, pretty, but can reduce your AC costs in Summer. Curious about the area over the front door. Looks like you have a two story atrium? Must be great for growing indoor plants. Good luck!!!