Curb appeal ideas

Aht1463390
by Aht1463390
I am in the process of buying this house. It is obviously lacking curb appeal. I am thinking I will remove the two big trees blocking the house, as they are mostly dead anyway. I plan to plant some big green bushes to the left of the front door, paint the front door a deep, warm red, and then put window planter boxes under the double window to the right of the door. Any other ideas anyone can give me to add curb appeal and make this house look cute from the street?
  40 answers
  • 7665645 7665645 on Jun 22, 2016
    I think that restaining or painting the landing would make a big difference. I also think bushes to the left will be really nice when you plant them. Good luck with the new house!
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jun 22, 2016
    The small area next to the wood platform should be extended out for more planting room. I would use a small retaining wall out of wall block for some interest.
  • Rtblackledge Rtblackledge on Jun 22, 2016
    Replacing the step so there is no opening in the front. Maybe shutters would brighten the front of the house.
  • William William on Jun 22, 2016
    A raised bed using landscape stone on the left, same height as the wood deck. A tall bush centered between the two windows on the left and smaller bushes on each side. A low planting bed in front of the deck on the right. Paint or stain the deck in a color shade in between the roof and house color. No real space for shutters on the right or upper left windows.
  • Bsq1746019 Bsq1746019 on Jun 23, 2016
    You need to add back one tree but check for where the water line is and avoid that side. Make a circular planter around the tree. Remember the tree will get larger so make you planter or a mature tree
  • Lucy Nunn Lucy Nunn on Jun 23, 2016
    Removing the trees is MAJOR money, and work. Also hard to get rid of the stumps. If the trees are healthy, I would leave them! The first thing I would do is close up that first step, as mentioned, and put a cute little railing/fence around your whole porch. (Obviously not in front of the door.) Then put in window boxes and/or shutters on the windows. Finally, plant something short and colorful up both sides of the path, and some foundation plants. It's a very cute house!
  • Catherine Bridges Catherine Bridges on Jun 23, 2016
    Paint the house a grey blue or an olive green. Let your house color inspire the flower beds.Example- Red and yellow with the olive house or white , red and blue with the grey. Just an idea of where I would start to further my inspiration of what I would do inside as far as color pallet.
  • Catherine Bridges Catherine Bridges on Jun 23, 2016
    Also I would remove the deck and replace it with a step down brick or stone patio and the use brick over lay or concert stain on the walk way to give it the charm it deserves.
  • Lisa hudspeth Lisa hudspeth on Jun 23, 2016
    Leave the trees if possible, make flower beds around them to hide the tree roots - do NOT cover with too much dirt or you can definitely kill the trees. Definitely need something on sides of porch roof -- simple columns maybe with rock at bottom, also need some type of railing. Flagstone or concrete stain on the walk - would be nice to cover the front step and cover w/ stone - but front needs to be covered for a finished look. Window boxes would be great, with maybe a skinny plant or a trellis with climbing flowers (clematis, mandevilla, jasmine) between the two front windows. A birdbath or fountain would also look cute on either side. You could also use white lattice as a trellis, or on each side of porch roof, and around bottom of deck. You need very low shrubs/or flower bed on right side since deck is low - a great plant that needs no trimming and stays low and round is Indian Hawthorne. Flowers are usually white or pink.
  • Angela Carlson Angela Carlson on Jun 23, 2016
    What is the budget? I'd leave the deck but build a pergola structure over it and paint the door a "pop" color. Perhaps a complimentary color to the body of the house. Repeat the door color on two window boxes on the windows left of the entrance. This is easier to maintain than groundscape and less expensive if money is an issue. They can be staged with dry arrangements in the off growing season. An upholstered bench or two chairs with pillows could stage the deck. If money is no object there is so much you could do with this cute house, congrats!
  • Nikki Wright Nikki Wright on Jun 23, 2016
    I would paint the porch. It will make it look neat and finished. There is outdoor paint for decks that I have used. It's not a lot of work and makes a huge difference.
  • Kim 'Kiewatt' Waknitz Kim 'Kiewatt' Waknitz on Jun 23, 2016
    I see nothing wrong with house and roof colors, but the white trim seem stark to me. I would take out one tree at a time, keep the healthiest one. Replace it with something with a more open and airy feel. Love the flower box idea, and as someone said one tall (or a Climbing plant) to the left of door and then shorter bushes on either side. That way as the mature they won't disrupt the view from windows.
  • Sarah A. Victory Sarah A. Victory on Jun 23, 2016
    I would add porch columns if the depth of the roof is sufficient. You can make some beautiful beds after the trees are removed. I would spruce up the porch and I also like the Pergola idea for the deck. You have some great ideas. It will be amazing how much difference it will make removing the rotting trees (that could fall on your house). A pyramidal evergreen will look great on the left side as well as adding some type of greenery to give you privacy at the deck. Good luck!
  • Donna Kriegh Donna Kriegh on Jun 23, 2016
    If you remove the trees, I would then consider lining the walk way with some flower gardens. This would lead the eye to the house , inviting the visitor in. Planters or a grouping of planted pots on the porch would help balance the home.
  • Aht1463390 Aht1463390 on Jun 23, 2016
    Roof overhang is only about 2 or 3 feet, so it looks awkward as it is, but not really sufficient for pillars unless I added a pergola. I think a pergola will be a great addition later on. I am loving these ideas! Any ideas on any other colors I could paint the front door and/or trim to give it more color? All I can think to do is paint the door a deep warm red and leave the trim white. I do plan on painting the house eventually, but not for a few years as I will have lots of inside projects to do, and painting will get expensive in a hurry as I also have a 3 car garage in the back that I will need to paint also. I am definitely going to use the idea of painting the deck, adding some flower beds, staining the concrete, and lining the walkway with flower beds. These are great ideas and exactly the help I was looking for! Thanks everyone!
  • Just John Just John on Jun 23, 2016
    It appears that the porch overhang could be added onto to make a deeper porch; railing, porch swing, potted plants, etc. . . .and, how do you know the trees are dead? . . It looks like winter with snow on the ground. . Taking them out would be a last ditch effort.
    • Aht1463390 Aht1463390 on Jun 23, 2016
      This picture was taken months ago so there was still some snow on the ground. Trees may not be completely dead, but definitely lots of the branches are dead. I will probably leave them in place if they are salvageable. They will need all the dead branches removed for sure. I think that will help and will look nicer. But if I can keep them, I think a flower bed around them would be nice.
  • Just John Just John on Jun 23, 2016
    ........actually, I'd extend the porch all across the front of the house.........add on to the deck!
  • Phyllis Robinson Phyllis Robinson on Jun 23, 2016
    It would be cute with the porch and roof extended and columns added later on. Right now, I think shutters would add a lot to the curb appeal.
  • Just John Just John on Jun 23, 2016
    Yes!
  • LaRhesa LaRhesa on Jun 23, 2016
    Shutters would add some curb appeal and due to your budget limitations, you may want to look into diy shutters made from pallet wood. You can google it and get tons of ideas, they are very inexpensive and fairly easy to make.
  • Susanmarvin Susanmarvin on Jun 23, 2016
    I would also extend the porch clear across the house and also make it deeper with great posts and a nice railing. Would make room for nice sitting area and lots of plants. Good luck Susan
  • Nancyperdue Nancyperdue on Jun 23, 2016
    I agree with Susan. By extending the porch across the front of the house you can put plants and sitting area. Also you could put some greenery on both sides of the walkway.
  • Mar7419110 Mar7419110 on Jun 23, 2016
    Shutters and a new front door perhaps you can find one at a salvage store. Also a new light fixture. A small bench with plants
  • Tammy Tammy on Jun 24, 2016
    First of all, CONGRATS on your purchase of your future home. I suggest using large pots with perennials suitable to your area to distract from the open area under your front porch. Agree with others regarding shutters on windows where you are planning to plants bushes. Maybe some hostas to border on both sides of the walkway. An address plaque that will pop and compliment the door that you are painting. For some reason, that white trim with brown siding and grey roof throws it off, maybe if you can, paint the trim a warm grey which will really compliment that red door you are planning. GOOD LUCK!
  • Jerilynn Watermolen Jerilynn Watermolen on Jun 24, 2016
    I would add some gingerbread in the front peak of your home. Paint it burgundy along with the front door the same color
  • Celtictherese@hotmail Celtictherese@hotmail on Jun 24, 2016
    Hello, your new house looks lovely. All the above ideas sound 'just the thing'. I would also add a 'not too big' fountain. They give a focal point immediately and the water is a lovely sound when u are relaxing. I have one both in the front and the back. Good Luck.
  • Arnytracy Arnytracy on Jun 24, 2016
    Congrats on the new home. I think extending the porch might be good in the long run. If that seems too much right of an investment right now, you may want to consider using color to increase the home's drama. For instance, adding some black shutters to the three left Windows and paining the existing door something dramatic - like a mid-tone teal. Also, if the deck is solid, just putting a facia board on the steps and staining it a dark brown (to tie in with the roof would look good. Then adding a flower box under the right 2 widows would help visually balance the place. Then, adding some flowers, shrubs, and ground cover in the front of the house would polish off the whole look.
  • Opal Opal on Jun 24, 2016
    Congratulations on the new home! Starting small with little effort and money, I think a little more black is in order to create a balance and drama as Arnytracy suggested above. I like the idea of shutters but I'm not sure you have room for them on the top window or the larger window to the right. Adding a narrow molding instead might be a consideration. Other ways to bring some black down to eye level would be iron work (furniture/pots), staining the concrete darker or a black rug depending upon budget. Definitely paint the door a color and face piece on the step. Garden area in front of the porch with taller greens. Another garden area on the left side under the two windows with some height (bush, obelisk, trellis). Longer term I would consider a curved path from the from sidewalk to the drive in front of the new garden area. I would certainly have the tree on the left looked at sooner rather than later because of its root structure (is it or will it damage the house) and likely take it down.
  • Joan Stanley Joan Stanley on Jun 25, 2016
    Perhaps 4x4 white posts on the corners of the porch and seal off the opening under it. Later you could add a little railing along the front. You could also add two boards between the front windows and paint that section of wall a different color to add some interest. Maybe put a medallion on it or planter box there.
  • Joan Hansen Joan Hansen on Jun 25, 2016
    Like this idea. There is an app where you take a picture of your house. And try out the various ideas to see if you like the look. The one for gardens is called iScape. Don't know name of architectural one.
  • Tra7676697 Tra7676697 on Jun 26, 2016
    Add shutters to match the paint you use on the door maybe a decorative rail on porch
  • Heather McKinney Heather McKinney on Jul 03, 2016
    What an adorable house! It already has lots of curb appeal. I think your idea about painting the door red is wonderful...it will really make it POP! The only thing I could think of was for you to put flower boxes under every window. Other than that, it's already perfect!
  • Kent Kent on Jul 07, 2016
    Hi there! Yes, removing the trees is a good idea. Also, developing a lawn and doing some seasonal planting with the help of a professional landscaper can further elevate its beauty. I know one such landscaper who can do this at very reasonable cost. For your reference, you can check this out: http://www.landscapestructures.ca/
  • Mary Gemmell Mary Gemmell on Sep 17, 2016
    nice house. I think only the tree near the drive needs to come out. grass would look nice there. I can picture a glossy black front door & window boxes painted black.
  • Annie Doherty Annie Doherty on Sep 18, 2016
    Great house, congratulations. I concur withTracey noles and Heather, adding window boxes downstairs to match you red front door, will look wonderful. In addition, you may consider putting a narrow trellis panel between your two windows on the left hand side and put perhaps, a clematis or jasmine in a pot to grow up the trellis give you an instant pop of colour and maybe fragrance too? Whilst your sorting out the trees to the front and deciding what you want to do with your front garden. I'm certain whatever you decide on, will do justice to your lovely home, good luck.
  • Sjeka Seika Sjeka Seika on Oct 03, 2016
    Love this adorable house. What about a layered rock garden under the front windows with perennials for low maintenance would also look wonderful and give the front of the house year round colour and balance out the overall look. I also LOVE a red front door. Every house I have owned I have painted the front door red. It brings a huge pop of colour to the house as well it is associated with Good Luck. You could also paint the wooden deck and steps in a complementary colour to bring a more finished look as well. Container plants are a cheap and cheerful addition. If you like the look of gingerbread you could also paint it in a lovely contrast and put it along the front roof line. Great inexpensive don't have to do it all at once ideas everyone :)
  • Sjeka Seika Sjeka Seika on Oct 03, 2016
    Oh and I really think a narrow trellis between the 2 front windows would look wonderful.
  • Ellis Ellis on May 12, 2017

    I think you should take out the two large trees, especially if they're sickly. Their roots will keep you from planting much of anything else, too. Get the stumps ground down, and you'll have plenty of room for a pretty small tree. Do a search for "ornamental trees" and your state, and look at what's available, because your planting zone is much colder than mine, and I don't know what would be right to plant in South Dakota!


    I would keep the shrubs you plan to plant on the left on the smaller side, so they don't grow up to block your windows. There are lots of shrubs that only get to be about 3-4 feet tall. I also like hostas, but be mindful that some get really big, and they do go away in winter, so I would use them as an accent.


    I like the white trim with the color of your house.


    I see that your post is from 2016. How is your project going?



  • Aht1463390 Aht1463390 on Nov 13, 2017

    I just looked through this thread again for a reminder of the things I have been wanting to do to my new house. I have taken a few of your suggestions and have lots more that I have yet to get to... The inside needed a lot of work too, so I haven't gotten a lot done out front, but I will post an updated picture in the next few days of what I have been able to get to so far... And as a bonus, I found the original black board & batten shutters in the basement once I moved in so my hope is to clean them up and put them on the front of the house!

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Aug 28, 2021

    The house actually looks like it's in great shape. The deck is what's making the house look dull. A fresh coat of paint on the deck could really transform your space.