Help! How to modernise / increase curb appeal on my 1970s dormer house
We bought this house around 5 years ago, despite never warming to the outside of the house the potential inside won us over. We have renovated it extensively inside over the years but I have always disliked the exterior. I do not want to move to another house just because it is 'prettier' on the outside as the inside of this house works superbly for our family. I am looking for ideas on how to renovate the look of the house and increase its curb appeal. Our initial thoughts were to replace the current tiles on the dormers with render however our architect who assisted us with plans for changing the flat roof to pitched advised against this, his reason was it could cause damp. Our alternative idea is to have cream painted wooden or weatherboard cladding fitted to give it a new england feel and to put a porch featuring the same cladding to tie it together. Any other ideas or opinions would be gratefully received!
Comments (16)
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Help to modernise a 1970's house
Comments (33)Just another opinion...I like the suggestion that others posted to remove the bush and if possible, to put entry door in it's place, to remove the post and replace it with a support beam and brackets, replace garage door, add low wall to separate your driveway from the neighbor's, plant a dwarf tree in the front yard along with some edging plants... But with so many possibilities to choose from, perhaps you could accomplish your desire to make your home stand out from the others inexpensively by...painting over the white part of the house, the downspout directly above the canopy and the garage door to match the lightest brick color. Choose the darkest brick color for all of the other trim and windows. Patch and seal the driveway to freshen it (until you know if you will be permitted to do anything more permanent), definitely taking out the bush and doing some low cost planting just to add some color. It takes time to settle on your needs, style, budget, etc. But it's worthwhile to spend a little cash and effort to get a bit of satisfaction that things are looking better!...See MoreKerb appeal help
Comments (4)Before removing the inner door and changing the Porch door, i'd check to see if the Porch wall is thick enough to become the only 'outside' wall. Most of those porches were built as entrances with porch across, therefore, the walls are for the most part not thick enough to have cavities for insulation etc, thus you may make the house cold by removing the inner door. I would re-instate the door as it would have been built, more like the one above. You could also think about extending the porch, along Jonathan's idea above. Or make the whole thing more prominent right across....See MoreKerb appeal challenge!! 1970's bungalow
Comments (42)Thanks very much Carolina for taking the time and trouble to do the mock ups. They really help. I like the orange, green and yellow. Would you do the side double timber gates in the same colour as the front door or match them instead with the oak window frames? Colourhappy - yes the house design is that way. Its ok to say it 🙂. In terms of the front garden, I'm thinking along the lines of a coastal gravel garden scheme with structured shrubs combined with herbaceous flowering/ foliage plants....See MoreCurb appeal help please on this former bungalow
Comments (25)I'd paint the tiles dark grey. What about planting up the two square bits at the front of the drive with something evergreen in the middle and coloured trailing plants at the front. Then some dark grey troughs or planters with a similar planting scheme by the wall. That way, the eye would be drawn away from the actual bungalow itself to the attractive plants which would brighten things up considerably. Get rid of the existing shrubs which look to be old and unruly. Put a large, modern door number (possibly illuminated) on the wall. Look at Etsy - there are loads on there and you'll be spoiled for choice....See Morestacyshep
8 years ago
PROAmber Jeavons Ltd
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoHello Stacyshep, Well the house just need a little attention I think... For one idea you could choose which side you like and duplicate it on the other side... I rather like the stone cladding you have as it is warm and adds texture.. So instantly you tie in the two sides of the house... The small tubs of flowers along the wall don't really do much as they are so low. I'd put those on the middle window ledge if you have one either side and add some bright white flowers or something that will really stand out.....
Why not try some large square planters with some topiary, or another tree that you have... Car is in the way to tell if you have one on the other side of the door.. Perhaps a slate colour pot for each tree. Something large 50 x 50cm. Also some lovely olive tree's could be really nice against the stone also in pots in front of the pipes at each end.....
For the drive, you have a low wall, why not plant a nice hedging shrub, large leaves like a cherry laurel along so you get a bit more height.. just a little bit of green above could also make it lovely, whilst offering just a little bit more privacy.. One last thought... Are the windows and front door wood? If they are... What about a dark wood stain? You could leave the dormer dark as it is then and with dark windows... I think it would look really stylish and cottage like.... : )) (Images I found afterwards and they're not exactly the same house but... It gives you an idea of the look I'm suggesting.. ) :))
stacyshep thanked Amber Jeavons Ltdstacyshep
8 years agominnie101
8 years agoHi. This isn't the cheapest option but you mentioned a porch initially. Why not something like this? It would mean rendering the stone though unless you can match the stone cladding and render the porch instead.. I'd also paint it a different colour to make the windows stand out. I have absolutely no expertise in this area but I don't understand the architects comments re rendering the dormer if the guttering is there? I'd also extend the stone step on the other side. To be honest the only thing I personally don't like at the moment is the paint colour and the car in front of the house so would lose some of the driveway and add interest with planting. I've also seen fab makeovers new England style but that would cost a fair amount
stacyshep thanked minnie101stacyshep
8 years agominnie101
8 years ago
Yes it doesn't look particularly cheap! Here's another cheaper option (without doing the roof!) but is it too modern for you as you mentioned a cottage look? How much light does the house get? I wonder how a double door, which would centre it to the house, would look? Re your actual question I quite like soft white paint with pale grey rendering but again may give it a modern look. What about pale sage green and off white?stacyshep thanked minnie101
Matt Poole
7 years agodeni48
7 years agokl55hp
6 years ago
stacyshepOriginal Author