How to improve kerb appeal

7 years ago

Despite first impressions, this is quite a spacious 3-bedroom house - with two large bedrooms, the main bathroom and an en-suite shower room on the first floor (with all the windows to those rooms at the sides and rear of the property).

As we've already had major building extension work to the rear of the property, we're now looking for cost-effective ways to emphasise visually the long width of the front of the property. At present, this quality is reduced by two elements: the chimney stack (the lower portion of which is rendered) and the dormer window (which does give a lovely light and airy feel to the landing and staircase).

So we'd appreciate ideas for visual improvements to the front of the house (which is about 30 metres from the roadway; the village property sits in a plot approaching half an acre).

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A B

7 years ago

I'd say if it's on a generous plot you don't need to be as concerned about matching your neighbours. How about something like this?

https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/modern-bungalow-remodel/

I'm sure some of your neighbours will be inspired to modernise theirs too if you do a good job! Around here, these types of bungalows on good sized plots are increasingly being knocked down and replaced by large modern houses.

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Comments (10)

minnie101
7 years ago
Hi. You could remove the render from the chimney but why was it rendered in the first place? You could paint it in a brick tone so you lose the contrast. The cladding on the dormer could go grey. Personally I'd put in a traditional front door and paint in a deep red or an earthy grey, you could do the same for the garage door. Or wood would also tone with the brick, I don't think the bright white is helping as your eyes just alight on that. Is it possible to move the door over at all? Perhaps also get the roof tiles cleaned and look at landscaping too
D R thanked minnie101
PRO
User
7 years ago
You need to de-moss the roof, both to prevent damage and restore the colour.

Also, remove the creeper from the Chimney stack for the same reason.

I'd render the whole facade to make it look larger and brighter.

Lastly, I'd hard landscape the driveway area with maybe a block pavior with a little design of areas in different shades for interest. Also some nice planting in the grass dome. A Tree with different height plants?
Moss removed and rendered

darker render

block pave

start adding planting back
D R thanked User
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A Babbsy
7 years ago
I think a replacing the front door, weeding & topping up of gravel area, & feature planting in the central lawn would make a massive improvement.
D R thanked A Babbsy
PRO
Artificial Green
7 years ago
There is a similar style house near to mine and they have rendered the house white and had dark grey window frames and a dark grey front door which looks amazing! Definitley clean the roof too.
D R thanked Artificial Green
D R
Original Author
6 years ago
Yes - we're seriously considering the rendering option. (Apparently the whole chimney was rendered originally but the top part rebuilt - and not rendered - following a lightning strike.) New front and garage doors, too. The issue of neighbouring properties does not arise as all the properties in this part of the road are very different (despite the appearance to the contrary in the photo).

BrightWhiteUpvc:- How does the sanding and sealing of the driveway work, please (although parts are brickweave, the majority of the front is loose half-inch aggregate)?
Kyle Barrett
6 years ago
Just for the record I think this is a lovely looking mid century property and i feel it benefits from the shape of the chimney and the dormer window. Without them you'd have a featureless aspect!

Even if you retain the white windows, (because that's a huge job), I would definitely change your front door to something that isn't PVC. White PVC doors date properties, but not in a charming way.

If you have a hefty budget then horizontal wood cladding (or that faux wood porcelain stuff, that's already greyed) would elongate the walls and make it look wonderful.

Might try a mock up on my old laptop.
D R thanked Kyle Barrett
Kyle Barrett
6 years ago
Oh, didn't realise how old this was.
Marie MacLachlan
6 years ago
Should I paint the exterior harling of my house and if so, which colour would bring out the surrounding stone. (Neighbour has mirror house)
D R
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks, Kyle. I think I'll investigate the cladding idea, so I'd be v. interested in a mock-up.