How do I add curb appeal to a boring ranch style home?

bright colored door mat, wreath,potted flowers

You could make gardens along the edge of the porch, leaving the access point open, the same with the sidewalk. You need some bright colors on your porch in pots, perhaps a seating area on it also. If your porch stays shaded, there are many bight shade loving plants like begonias. Your front door, from what I can see is nice, but blends into the house and doesn't stand out as much as it could if it were a brighter more visible color, so perhaps that could be brightened up also. I hope this can help get your ideas flowing, make sure what you do is what you want, you don't have to do exactly as suggested by us, it is your home and should look how you want it. All you have to do is decide how you want to brighten it up by taking off on our suggestions with your own. Don't try to do everything at once, start out smaller, like pots on the porch and maybe a small seating area and go from there and expand area by area until you achieve the look you want. Have fun with your project and let us see the results!

Well some ideas to think about: Change the color of the door, deep green, ivory, even black will give things a lift; I think from what I see the walk way goes to the cement pad, if not extend to the pad. It needn't be cement but is probably the easiest way to do it or dig out the area in order to put sand down then place slate to finish it up; dress up the pad with a bright rocker (yellow or color of the door) so it stands out; a nice piece of outdoor wall art (often found in catalogues like Wind and Weather, Plow and Hearth etc) on the right side of the window; a bigger project worth doing remove the gangly bush by the post and a nice decorative bush that is slow growing and compact (see your local nursery for ideas) such as dwarf burning bush (beautiful in the fall). Just some thoughts!

I love your door, but it just blends in with your home a little too much. I would consider painting it a brighter contrasting color to give the porch a pop of color (or even white). Add a nice welcome mat (that matches your new door), plants, flowers, a welcoming sidewalk entrance with plants/manicured shrubs along the side. Add some rockers, plant stands, a flag. Here's an idea:

I love the answers of the previous two home talkers and will add that I would also trim and shape the large tree on the left side of the picture. Something like a blooming, low growing hedge will be nice as a border to the porch. You could also try some wooden flower boxes on the edge of the porch to create a more cozy look from inside and out.

It does seem dark. I would put a cute table and chair painted brightly, with maybe a little lamp on the patio. Then make some pretty garden lights for down the walk way

I have to agree with almost everyone, except I love your door the way it is. What you don't have here is a focal point. You have a big tree, shrubs, a walkway, shutters on the windows - and nothing to pull it all together. So, you get to decide your favorite thing and go from there. Do you like color? Then pop those shutters with a nice vibrant color and get plants or pots that will match. Consider a railing on you porch in the matching color. Do you like form better? Then shape your garden and trim your tree to complement whatever form you choose. How about texture? You have a great roof! Think about sealing your patio and painting it the same color. Add some smooth texture with a bistro set on the porch or smooth leafed plants to fill in that garden space. The choice is yours!

i would add exterior trim around your door. 4 or 6 inches wide. They sell some at the big box stores that is lightweight and glues on. Caulk well and paint. You have a beautiful door and a tiny frame!

Also some larger exterior lights. The lantern style would pick up on your glass and wood door.

I agree about adding some more small plants by the shrubs. Hardy geraniums would be great. something that grows in mounds 18 in - 24 in. There are a lot of perennials that grow to that shape. Take the color / shade that you fill in the flower bed with and repeat it on the wreath on the door and the pot of flowers near the front door. Get a rocking chair!

Just a little black satin painted front door along with black large urn flower pots at each side of the door,black bench placed to the right of the door pasted the window, painted black shutters and window boxes. Add black door Matt and seasonal wreath. Remove the brush/ tree blocking the front and window as you approach the porch. Here are a few picture ideas 📍

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