How to improve my house exterior?

9 years ago

We are in the process of buying the attached house and think the outside is ugly!

We don't have a huge budget but would look into painting, replacing the door, adding cladding etc. and would like to get your ideas. Also if anyone has seen any similar houses it would be great to see how they look after changes have been made.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

anon2005

9 years ago

This is a very tidy house so I feel needs tidy well trimmed hedges at the sides. Paint the garage door brown to match the door and windows then it wont jump out visully. Add planters either side of the front door (topiary style) and buy a trough like wooden planter to go under the window. I wouldn't add shutters or cladding at this point,I would do things in stages to make sure I didnt make a mistake.

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Comments (26)

Brandi Nash Hicks
9 years ago
Paint window trim black and garage door,paint front door orange and add oversized black lantern for porch light
Eleanor Berry thanked Brandi Nash Hicks
Brandi Nash Hicks
9 years ago
Also try some oversized orange pots on either side of garage with greenery and flowers
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Hi All, Back again as contract exchange is almost there. I have been looking at few options as below: New porch. New Porch/Garage roof - Either flat or pitched (still to be decided). New windows. New Garage door. Repaint the roof tiles. Cladding, no example of coloured cladding I have seen are that impressive. So I am thinking about one of the below options: VOX faux Brick cladding - https://www.voxpanels.co.uk/external-cladding/ Repaint the existing tiles Slip Brick New Clay hanging tiles ( Rustic ones ) I really like the look of this house. - http://www.residentialcreations.co.uk/builder/bickley.htm Advice please especially if any of the above idea should be No go, e.g. is painting the tiles (wall or roof) is good idea? I am trying to visualize so if anybody can help or recommend website/software I can use to draw.
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Brandi Nash Hicks
9 years ago
Black bench under window to the right of front door
PRO
OnePlan
9 years ago
Here's a company who make faux stone panels that might be a good way to makeover the front of your home - they do modern and traditional finishes - so lots to think about !
http://www.totalwallcoverings.co.uk/
There's a lot of 'New England ' style cladding about too - I think Jewsons do it ! A lot depends on how much money you want to spend and wether you'd recoup your investment if you came to sell in a few years too !
Eleanor Berry thanked OnePlan
Georgie Edwards
9 years ago
How about external shutters on first floor windows, purely decorative and a shot of personality?
Eleanor Berry thanked Georgie Edwards
jpbarro
9 years ago
What about a Wisteria growing up the walls?
Eleanor Berry thanked jpbarro
Eleanor Berry
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for the quick responses, I really like the idea of cladding, probably wood as there are others with wood cladding on the same road.

I'm not sure how easy it would be to paint the windows as the are UPVC but it would look good if it worked.
vermilllion
9 years ago
You cannot paint uPVC so I advise you not to try it. The other suggestion about window shutters is a good one. You need some foliage. Get some pots and place one either side of the garage door. I have a couple of standard box in mine and to be honest everyone comments how really good it looks. If you can get a really big round Cotswold stone style pot and place that underneath the front room window and plant that up with say a conifer and then start adding seasonal plants for difference that will make a much better impact.. If the fascia boards are wooden paint those out white that gives a better focal point. You have allot of brick going on with this house. Be careful what you plant if you want to grow something up, ivy and stuff has a habit of smashing it's roots and climbing anchors into mortar!
Eleanor Berry thanked vermilllion
vermilllion
9 years ago
Also those weeds growing through the blocks get some Pathclear and that will deal with those. Trim up the bushes down the left side. Add a front door mat. Does it have a side gate - it seems open? If not get a gate also for security and paint that white, that will tie it in with the garage door and fascias. Keep your colours to a minimum but keep it airy and bright. With your plant pots sticking to cotswold stone is always best. Thing is when you move again you can take those planters with you. If you get the standard box trees during Christmas you can put fairy lights in them and run the wires underneath the garage door to the electrical supply! These really are cheap options to bring it alive!
Eleanor Berry thanked vermilllion
kathleen MK
9 years ago
Definitely add greenery then either add other white accents like a planter box,bench, etc. or paint the garage door a color that works with the brick. Earthy brown to match door or a subtle mossy green or gold tone. Choose a glossy black or a bright color for the door.
Eleanor Berry thanked kathleen MK
PRO
Vistafolia
9 years ago
Hi, you could clad the house with our artificial green wall panels, they're maintenance free and affordable alternative to living green walls, plus stay green all year round!
It would add instant colour and uplift to your house.
Eleanor Berry thanked Vistafolia
iolosdad
9 years ago
Like some of the other comments I agree paint the garage door a nice colour and you can despite what others have said paint the upvc windows with the correct paints. change the front door to something more modern and contemporary and add some over sized planters small ones look silly and need more watering add a funky door mat and new light fitting. Basically it's kerb appeal it needs I look forward to seeing updated photos?!
Eleanor Berry thanked iolosdad
Izzy
9 years ago
Have a look at the website of a company called Back to Front Exteriors. They specialise in transforming the exterior appearance of houses and some of the transformations are incredible. Their website photos are good for inspiration. Good luck!
Eleanor Berry thanked Izzy
Jane Bateman
9 years ago
Cladding above the top windows would break up that vast expanse of brick. Plants or tubs under the right hand window. It definitely needs a bit of love!
Eleanor Berry thanked Jane Bateman
PRO
Direct Trade Supplies
9 years ago
Perhaps a snazzy motion sensor light could further illuminate your garage and driveway.
jam55king
9 years ago
Tough one this because it really needs one of two things which are quite expensive, ie new windows and door and rendering ! If it was me I'd leave windows for now if their sound get the outside rendered and paint a nice cream to accent the brown, I would ABSOLUTELY defiantly change the front door as this is killing the look, oak would look nice, then it's plants plants plants hanging baskets big pots etc oh year I'd put a new lantern too their not expensive , soo door £200 render prob about £700 plants and accessories £ 150 bobs ya uncle good luck
Eleanor Berry thanked jam55king
Eleanor Berry
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks everyone for all your suggestions, it has really helped! We will definitely be painting the garage and looking for a new front door. Some new lighting and big plants and then the cladding may come later.

I'll upload a new photo as soon as we make any changes.
Alison Oliver
9 years ago
I think smooth cream/white render sod look good and replace Windows with wooden painted with a dark grey or something like that. not particularly cheap though!
Alison Oliver
9 years ago
oh and same with door- would look for a more contemporary wooden door
Matthew Decorator
9 years ago
Yes you can paint pvc....if you have the knowledge and correct
Materials
Matthew Decorator
9 years ago
Render the outside and paint it, possibly brilliant white?
PRO
Martin Hall Design
9 years ago
Fabulous Western Red Cedar cladding available from Silva Timber. Clad above the upstairs window as a minimum. Soften the whole facade with planters and sculptural plants.
PRO
John Botham Architect
7 years ago
I agree, new front door, and some planting.

The main problem is that everything is unrelieved red-brown! walls, windows, door, drive. Except the garage door, which then looks like a mistake! This is a common problem.

You need to break up the brown. Render or cladding is probably overkill, there are more subtle solutions.

Please don't put in an oak or stained timber door. It might look great in its own right, but will just be changing one brown for another! A painted timber (or composite) door would be best, with the garage door painted to match. Choose a shade of grey or green, avoid red and purple, as you need a good contrast to the brick.

Ideally change the windows to cream, or grey-green, but if not, try the shutters. They are a bit 1960s, but might actually suit the style of this house! Painted to match the doors.

Consider taking up some small areas of paving near the house to allow planting to create a break between the brick drive and the brick house!
Sarah Lockhart
6 years ago
Hi Eleanor, how did you get on with the exterior makeover, I've a similar style house and I'm intrigued to see how you improved it!! Thanks
PRO
Medina Joinery Ltd
6 years ago
Hi,

Cladding and render sounds great for the type of house you're looking at. If you are thinking of replacing windows and doors have a look at our website http://www.medinajoinery.co.uk for ideas as Medina Joinery manufacture timber windows, doors and roof lanterns, or telephone us for a chat on 023 9263 7380. Medina Joinery manufacture in Hayling Island and deliver (and fit) to all of the uk.

Here are some we have previously made:

Good luck with your choice.