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ickleb

House external

ickleb
7 years ago
The exterior of my house is disgusting and I'm looking for inspiration on what to go for, the rest of the house are mostly creams and whites, but there are some other colours.
Been playing with some visualisers, do I want to be so bold?
Any ideas?
Featured Answer
  • PRO
    Design7
    7 years ago
    How about a bit of colour?

    Comments (41)

    • tamp75
      7 years ago
      Personally I'd avoid the bold colours. It just draws attention to it in a negative way. Looks like it needs re-rendering but if that's not an option for now, I'd go for white or a pale grey paint. I'd put some trellis up to the left of the front door with planting box / trough and grow some flowering climbers up there - jasmine or clematis should grow fairly quickly. Some coloured pots around the porch might help to disguise that a little too if it can't be replaced.
    • Gatos Rojos
      7 years ago

      I agree with the previous comment to keep the render a fairly neutral colour - similar to your neighbours either side? If you fancy a splash of colour, is painting the front door an option? I thought the trellis idea was a good one and could you plant colourful bushes/flowers along the walls? You could easily match up the colours to add a splash of whichever colour you fancy.

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    • robin_westbury1
      7 years ago
      I completely agree with the previous posts and think you should avoid the bold colours, as they would draw attention to the problems. A similar cream to the neighbouring properties would be my choice. If budget allows in the future, re-rendering and a new porch would make a huge difference, but in the meantime, a trellis would be a less expensive way to draw the eye from the worst problems. Good luck!
    • Kevin Jovinsie
      7 years ago
      The results of my sketches. hope you like it. thanks.
    • PRO
      Kitchenpod - Temporary Kitchen Hire (Home use)
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      We used a company called Back to Front Exterior Design who are the masters. Take a look at their website for transformation inspiration. I think they would keep it pale. Add interest by making more of a feature of the porch and add planters which introduces contrast (green planting). On ours they also added weatherboard but I am not sure that would work for your house. You might want to think about removing the grass verges also as they are small and add very little. Flint chippings instead?

    • PRO
      The Classic Barn Company
      7 years ago

      Id keep it cream, but lighter and with a new render (or repair existing), then a seriously good jetwash, guttering, windows everything!!. If you can change the porch to soemthing nice and add plants.

    • lynneamandahayes
      7 years ago
      I would keep it a light colour off white or very light grey. If the budget allows I would get render repaired if possible or re-rendered, I would also either re-build porch I'd go for large oak supports and a small pitch or gable above. Then I would add two large pots with standard olive or bay trees in. You could then echo these pots with some box balls in front of window and a general tidy up of drive area.
    • PRO
      The Classic Barn Company
      7 years ago

      Yes also agree with Lynne. Heres a porch we designed and built on a cream coloured house/background. Oak looks nice against the house wall as suggested.


    • lynneamandahayes
      7 years ago
      Yes that's exactly what I was suggesting.
    • credz4
      7 years ago

      Classic case of 'torn up garden to plant car' have you thought about putting it back?

    • J A Woods
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Render the front wall and dash with marble chips (8 to 11 mm) - the change in texture will make a big difference. Change the porch radically as Lynne and the Classic Barn Co have suggested. If that doesn't work - move!

    • PRO
      House Martin Online
      7 years ago

      Agree, but easier door canopy option, see house-martin.com. Add window boxes and pot plants. Michael.

    • TwoHearts
      7 years ago
      Avoid bold colours. Something like a mushroom colour for the exterior. I'd divide the garden space and plant evergreens interspersed with flowers of the season to tie it all together. Best of luck.
    • TwoHearts
      7 years ago
      PS Change the door canopy. If funds allow consider an Oak canopy, or an easy & cost effective fix could be an off the shelf canopy which are relatively easy to fix and look fabulous.
    • Sonia
      7 years ago

      My first thought was put in an attractive pitched porch which will really lift the front of the house and give it character, but I see this has already been suggested! Paint the render cream. Those garish colours are ghastly, sorry! Paint the door a soft blue/grey/green. Plant a climbing rose at either side of the window with some low growing creeping plants as ground cover. Finally a lovely pot by the porch filled with summer bedding and bulbs. This will make your house look more cottagy and very pretty. Good luck!

    • portlandsal
      7 years ago

      Please do not go for the bright colours they will just draw attention to the problem. Valspar will mix exterior colours to any shade and sell little match pots so you can try them on the wall and see how they work in the daylight. I would personally go with a soft grey green lichen shade and try to plant roses or clematis - something pretty to add softness to what is a very angular exterior. Good luck!

    • mrshste
      7 years ago

      I'd go for a dark cream, a grey, or a pastel colour. Nothing too bright. And a new porch will make all the difference.

    • tompolly
      7 years ago

      I agree with a lot of the suggestions above having had to transform several houses which looked rather sad outside with only a limited amount of money. I suggest white paint for the walls as previously suggested, if your door is paintable choose a soft green, use concrete paint in black on the step and also on the door tread. Paint the two poles white as well. Add more colour with a trellis as previously suggested with a bright cheerful climber. It is difficult to see from the photo but the path looks as if it could do with a power wash - you can hire these quite cheaply, and plant some low easy maintenance plants from the gate (?) either side of the path. If you cannot paint the front door, then choose a light sand paint, to contrast with the white front door, on the walls and you can then carry on with my other suggestions if you like them. Also a plant pot with cheerful flowers or an evergreen bush on the right hand side would look good. You could also try to use scented flowers for a nice welcome home. Good luck.

    • kjmcghie08
      7 years ago
      If you can aford it, stone cladding would look good; and add a pitch roof porch to give it a cottage feel
    • Marisol Garces
      7 years ago
      One of the best way to give the front of your house a WOW factor is to have the driveway repaved. It maybe a bit expensive but it'll will increase your house value a great deal.
    • J A Woods
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      I presume the top half is wooden cladding. It works very well indeed. The red brick patio/parking area contributes greatly.

    • Chandan Singha
      7 years ago
      I want to design my home
    • anon2005
      7 years ago

      Painting the house white/ cream then adding some nice pot plants like standard box or clipped olive trees each side of the door and a climber up some trellis would make a non expensive transformation. I hope you learn to love the look of your house rather than hate it!

    • Louise Westbury
      7 years ago
      Lots of good suggestions here, but the final solution will be down to budget. You have already taken steps to improve the energy efficiency of your home with solar Pv panels on the roof and double glazing. I would imagine you have upgraded the loft insulation, which may even be free? The next logical step would be to talk to a specialist External Wall Insulation Installer, who would advise on the variety of finishes available and offer advice. Installing An EWI system would be a gain as you would increase the asset value of the property, lower heating bills, and raise the EPC (energy performance certificate) of the property.
      If you would like free advice please contact me at Robin.westbury@licatagreutol.co.uk.
    • PRO
      Surveyor/protech property services
      7 years ago
      agree with Lynn..thx for the input
    • PRO
      Surveyor/protech property services
      7 years ago
      members how do I make this compound unique at a reasonable expense
    • PRO
      Surveyor/protech property services
      7 years ago
      how do I improve the shape,firs5t floor and what are the possible artistic last impressions to thishse.would also request for conservatory shape and col9urs to exterior
    • PRO
      Steve Jackson Design Limited
      7 years ago

      Change windows, add cladding (with insulation), new modern front door and pitched roof canopy.

    • iolosdad
      7 years ago
      If you can't afford new Windows buy uvpc paint and do the front door, trouble with being in a terrace you'll stick out like a sore thumb if you go too bold
    • Tess Wijy
      7 years ago
      keep it light and you could put a reasonably good size porch.
    • Angie
      7 years ago
      It probably all comes down to budget, but I would echo many comments above; re-render the front in a neutral colour, replace the tatty looking porch, re-lay the drive and position some attractive pots and plants to soften the whole appearance.
      I'd prioritise re-rendering the front as it really needs some attention and repairs will inevitably show up. The porch could, as suggested, be given a lick of paint on the poles and maybe put some barge boards around the edges. A couple of climbing plants in pots by each pole will help improve the appearance.
      But the biggest impact will be to have a complete front garden/drive makeover, but that won't come cheap!
      Angie
    • patriziaserghiou
      7 years ago

      I had a similar problem with the exterior of my property, and as I had 0 budget could only afford to re-paint, so I re-painted dark grey, and it looks amazing, I have even had compliments from people passing by. I agree to stay away from strong bold bright colours but a natural dark stone grey colour seems to have worked, and the green of planters and pots against the grey looks amazing.

    • ratbag
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Hi my house was so boring so I freshened up the cream changed the door repainted door and painted the Upvc Windows....yes they can be painted!!

      and I've also now added a canopy!

    • ratbag
      7 years ago

      I've now added a canopy

    • PRO
      Design7
      7 years ago

      Yes J A Woods. Wood Cladding, although I was thinking Fibre Cement Boards.
      Maybe down a bit more to the top of the ground floor windows.
      Could possibly hide the existing cables under it, would have to check with the fitter on that one though.
      http://www.jameshardie.co.uk/hardieplank-cladding
      https://www.marleyeternit.co.uk/Facades/Weatherboard/Cedral-weatherboard.aspx


    • June Hulton
      7 years ago
      Personally I would not like it to stick out like a sore thumb... Go with similar colours. Renew or clean up the windows and the front door. Add much needed kerb appeal. And on the drive... With a good amount of elbow grease, on the plaster or render... It's better to be stud out for the cleaner reasons... Good luck and photos please for updates..
    • PRO
      The New & Reclaimed Flooring Company
      7 years ago

      Wood cladding is the way to go.

    • howletthobbs
      7 years ago
      Definitely agree with Design7, the added bonus with fibre cement cladding are:
      - no maintenance (unlike timber weatherboarding or painting render)
      - insulation can be added between existing render and fibre cement cladding
      - an almost instant improvement by adding texture to a very flat facade

      The risk you face by going with a bold colour over the whole rendered front of your house is that being such a flat and (no offence) uninspiring property, you will only make the situation a lot worse.
      By adding the texture to the first floor, you can then go bold underneath should you wish to.

      The other option that no one has suggested yet, will depend on the construction of your house (might be concrete blocks rather than brickwork) and if you do have to strip off the render and start again, it might be worth seeing if you have desirable brickwork beneath it. If so you can either acid strip the brickwork to clean it off or paint the bricks. I would suggest stripping the render off the ground floor and either going for a rendering or cladding to the first floor.

      I can imagine for a contemporary look, off white with grey Windows and doors, or for a softer cottage style go for a pale cream and mushroom/taupe Windows and doors.
    • Lee
      7 years ago

      Treat your home in context. Adding features that are alien to the architecture will look out of place, like sticking a Rolly Royce Radiator Grille on a Tesla.

      I'd suggest replacing the windows with simple Velfac double glazed units and painting the rest of the building a sympathetic colour that doesn't show up the dirt. Add some planting and a nice contemporary front door and it could look fantastic.

      As you have solar panels, I'd go contemporary. Try to find some images of how the buildings looked when they were first built. You will find they probably looked great.

      Sticking wood cladding, or oak porches will make it stand out for the wrong reasons, zoom out, think about the street and the places next to it. Terraces/blocks of houses look better then they relate to one another.

    • Danielle Garber
      7 years ago

      ratbag What did you use to paint your UPVC? I'm looking at doing a similar thing.

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