Asked on Aug 26, 2015

Improving curb appeal

I need help with improving the curb appeal of this house on a tight budget.
  10 answers
  • Vel1629730 Vel1629730 on Aug 26, 2015
    hi...I used to flip houses, so I have some experience in budget exterior make-overs. Here are some ideas: Paint, paint, paint...Take a look at Pinterest or Houzz for some color combos on high-end homes...or, find a commercial building with a color scheme you like and copy it. Paint the garage door to match the siding...the house will look bigger. Plant vines to cover the porch posts and run a wire from one post to the other along the roof line...You can train the vine across the roof line for a charming look. Change out the mail box and light fixture for something larger and fitting the style you are trying to achieve (eg, country, modern, craftman, etc. Depending on the desired style, you could also add some "hinges" to the garage door...Home Depot has these fake hinge kits for about $20...gives the look of a carriage door. Put flower box on the far left window...Add bench to the porch under the other window. I'd paint the driveway with concrete paint...make it look like flagstone and follow the existing cracks as the edge for some of the fake "stones". And of course, new sod or seed, flower beds and pots of flowers on the porch. Hope this helps...Good luck!
    • See 2 previous
    • Cynthia King Jackson Cynthia King Jackson on Aug 27, 2015
      Thanks Tonia. I agree with palnting the garage the white really looks awkward.
  • Ampy mendoza Ampy mendoza on Aug 26, 2015
    I know what you mean being on a budget! Lets begin, go to your nearest paint store or call and ask for (Miss Tints) these are paints that clients return you'll be surprise the mark down on return paints. As for your front yard get out those walking shoes and a hat girl and start looking for great bargains at yard sales, garage sales and especially look out for trash day. Neighbors tend to throw out good stuff that you can recycle and reuse outside your yard. Therefore, their junk becomes your treasures. Good luck budget shopping
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Aug 26, 2015
    Painting would definately add to curb appeal, If you rescallop the front and put in some gardens that would also add alot.
  • Ann1863308 Ann1863308 on Aug 27, 2015
    If it has hardwood floors just redo them .dont cover with carpet .paint and make sure roof is good and also plumming and electric .then just paint and check windows
  • 512181 512181 on Aug 27, 2015
    If you can, take off the grill on the door. It is distracting. You can then paint the door a nice color. The biggest problem is landscaping and the cracked drive. You may be able to patch and add a new surface, talk to the big box stores for products. Fall is perfect time to plant new grass and bushes. Power wash porch and find a couple of rockers on CL. Pots with flowers would help too. Looks like house is paintable. If you need a new roof, do that before you paint so colors look nice with roof. If you don't need new roof, just paint to go with the color of the roof. Sage green might look nice. I sort of like the iron design, has that mid-century look. Maybe you can grow Clematis on the left iron support. If whole house does not need painted, just paint the dark trim to a lighter tone, that would help.
  • Liliana Wells Liliana Wells on Aug 27, 2015
    Some good ideas here. For some of your supplies check out Habitat for Humanit. Here is a listing of stores in Houston https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=habitat+for+humanity+restore+houston+tx. You may be able to find supplies at great savings. Good luck.
    • Cynthia King Jackson Cynthia King Jackson on Aug 27, 2015
      @Liliana Wells Thanks Liliana, I am going to check out the Habit for Humanity restore, I heard you can find some really good deals..
  • Here just some suggestions:
  • HouseLogic.com HouseLogic.com on Aug 28, 2015
    Hello Cynthia, here are a few inexpensive painting projects that can brighten up your curb appeal: http://goo.gl/ipDjtY You may also find this post about value adding curb appeal projects helpful: http://goo.gl/ZOQ58o
  • Sandy Dupree Lewis Sandy Dupree Lewis on Aug 29, 2015
    Agree about that door and maybe put up regular shutters and get rid of the black. Add store bought squares of grass after using grass feeder, I used it the 1st time and you need a spreader, cheep. My grass is now really green. Get some cement trim for the driveway and around some flowerbeds. I'd make a flowerbed w/ them on the left of the house lined up w/the porch to the end of the house. Don't know of you can find this time now. Better get to walmart fast, check craighslist under free but new looks far better
  • Pat Pat on Sep 03, 2016
    The house itself looks nice. The problems are in,the driveway and landscaping. Also, a big pot of flowers on the little porch would warm it up.