Need help with kerb appeal of exterior

9 years ago

Its such a dark house to pull up to in the evenings, any advice on how to make this more cheerful, lighting, planting, colours etc. All suggestions welcome!

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boundsgreener

9 years ago

Hi. Short of stuccoing the brick (like this:

Sundown · More Info

) Southpoint is right that painted window frames would make a big difference.

Recently developed property · More Info

His lighting advice is great, too.

The plants you have so far are pretty and make a difference. Why not add another climber to grow up the post to the left of the door or on the wall between the two windows over there?

Whatever you decide, a brightly painted front door would make it more inviting. You've already made a start with the red doormat!

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Comments (20)

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Southpoint
9 years ago
Not sure what the windows, fascia boards, doors and guttering are made of and so whether they can be painted but they add up to a lot of brown. If they could be painted a light colour that would animate the facade a bit, but I suspect they meay be PVC and this may not be advisable. If you turn up in the dark a good lighting scheme could help. Maybe a combination of some low level perimeter lighting (either set in the ground or mounted on the building) with some brighter lights that are infra-red/photocell activated. I don't mean the flooflight type one you have on the garage but something mounted lower and less bright. You should be looking at LED lamps as the light source because they are energy efficient and long lasting. If your local lighting shop has a design service get them in to have a look. If not, look around for a lighting designer. Have you thought about a large planter or two in a light colour with a clipped evergreen like bay or box outside the porch?
nicola_marks thanked Southpoint
nicola_marks
Original Author
9 years ago
The windows and fascia boards are wood, the guttering upvc - not sure about the garage doors - I'll have to check when I get in! They do add up to a lot of brown, I've wondered whether a cream or a green would be better...it's hard to visualise...
I like the idea of low level lighting, perhaps I'll pick up some solar lights to try this out. Thank you
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I would - - Clean the bricks, or paint them white or cream; - Remove the slate from the facade (replace with render if needed); - Remove the plastic bars from inside the windows; - Install a minimalist, dark green or teal front door with a translucent glass side panel; - Plant short, smart trees where you currently have bushes (or rose bushes would look lovely); - Paint the grey concrete patch on the front; - Replace the brick paving and steps with patterned tiles; - Add in some potted plants and phased lighting.
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I think you need to weigh up if there is a profit benefit by building a front gable. You might well increase the square footage by 10% which could be enough to add value particularly if it gives you enough room for an extra room like an ensuite. It may be worth consulting an estate agent to get an opinion- where I live there are some roads where improving the kerb appeal and square footage would easily add more than the cost of improvements
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Thank you for the pictures! I have seen similar transformations and was considering rendering before posting in this discussion. My conern is that the house is semi detached so not sure if it would look a bit odd having one half rendered and one half not. It is also very one dimensional compared to your examples, not sure whether this makes much of a difference. Maybe changing the windows to a different colour after rendering could give it a bit more definition. We are also first time buyers and don’t intend on living in the house forever so don’t want to do anything too over the top and costly but also don’t want to live in an ugly house.
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PRO
Southpoint
9 years ago
Great pictures, boundsgreener, and I agree on a nice bright front door, Definitely paint the windows and doors, Nicola. White or cream would be fine. If you want green I recommend a pale greeny grey, nothing too dark or too colourful. http://ralcolor.net/ral-7044-silk-grey.php
nicola_marks thanked Southpoint
Jonathan
9 years ago
Sourthpoints advice is spot on
nicola_marks thanked Jonathan
nicola_marks
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thank you Southpoint and boundsgreener, it will be quite a change to lighten the windows, but the right way forward I think, your recently developed property picture shows me that it could look quite stunning! Really appreciate the advice, will add new photos once complete
boundsgreener
9 years ago
You're welcome and good luck.
polly46
9 years ago
Start small paint your front door then see how brave you want to be
Add pots in same colour to side of door.
nicola_marks thanked polly46
slimberley
9 years ago
Starting small is a good idea. I would start with the front door and the garage doors. The garage doors really are such an expanse of brown that I think you would find that just changing them would make a big difference and then you could decide about windows at a later date. Nice pot plants flanking the front door is also a good idea.
iolosdad
9 years ago
likes the others have suggested ditch the brown!, a lamp outside, a large pair of pots either side of the door, slate door number ?
nicola_marks thanked iolosdad
missmjbs
8 years ago
hi - I wondered if you went ahead with any suggestions ? my house almost the same and I too want to " lighten" and add kerb appeal !!
nicola_marks
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi missmjbs, I've started at the back of the house painting the doors and windows Farrow & Ball, Ball Green - which looks pretty good against the red brick - it's a lot of work as all the woodwork requires sanding and undercoating. I'm about to put on a top coat so I'll post some photos in the next few days, weather permitting :-)
Matthew Decorator
8 years ago
Render the face and paint it white
nicola_marks thanked Matthew Decorator
missmjbs
8 years ago
Thanks Nicola - I'm definitely going to paint as new frames too expensive!but not sure what colour - cream maybe or possibly something different - I'm thinking of totally replacing front door but I also have double garage in brown too! would love to see how yours looks!
nicola_marks
Original Author
8 years ago

Hi missmjbs,

I've added a couple of photos, I need a second coat (too windy today - I don't want grit and bugs stuck in my paint!)

I'm still a little uncertain about the green and was wondering myself about a cream or a more grey green... however I think you'll agree it looks quite a lot different! I don't think my partner will allow painting of the garage doors - I'm still working on that...
Jonathan
8 years ago
buy some lining paper and blue tack and cover the garage doors to give the impression of how it will look to help convince your partner
nicola_marks thanked Jonathan
nicola_marks
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi jonathandb1972,

That is a superb idea, I think I'll do just that Thank you.
alex9922
8 years ago
alex9922
8 years ago
PRO
OnePlan
8 years ago
Alex - can you contact me via my pro page please ! Many thanks !
Karen
OnePlan !

Need help with kerb appeal of exterior

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