help!! ugly house needs ideas

last month

I have found a house I would like to buy
It needs work inside but I'm struggling how to make the outside look more appealing without breaking the bank
Please can someone offer any advice or pictures to help
I want to make it more cottage type look as it's in a pretty village

Featured Answer

Jonathan

last month

I agree with Sonia - it’s not ugly but rather absent the details that make it pretty.

Personally I think there is a lot of plain roof which could be a lot more interesting with dormers. I think the next window choice could be a lot fancier and a French grey could look charming.

For me the side that has patio doors to the garden needs the most attention as I feel that the glazing could be made more uniform and I would be considering if every window could be full height. Alternatively you might consider the patio undersized and build big, include an oversized pergola and soften the look of this side of the house with the pergola and inevitable planting.

There are lots of cottage style front doors that could give the entrance a traditional feel and the quarry tiles of the porch might be replaced with slate or sandstone.

I would also be planning outside and garden lighting as I think it elevates the look of any property at night.

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Comments (12)

Sarah L
last month
It's not ugly, but replacing the doors and windows would be a good move. Maybe agate grey (painswick green) colour.
Sonia
last month
I would say it’s a bit plain rather than ugly. Is it made of stone and has the stone been painted? It looks like it was last refurbished maybe in the 70s looking at the windows and front entrance. I agree with Sarah that new windows and entranceway will make a huge difference. I like the Agate Grey she has suggested. Country cream or pale taupe window frames would also suit.
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kazzh
last month
I think it will be a beautiful home with a little love. Your first picture shows a hedge right across the building, which seems to cut the building off from the garden. That might be something I would reconsider, but there are probably other areas that could be more of a priority.
Jonathan
last month
Dormers like this
juliehawley
Original Author
last month
Thankyou for your comments it's gave me a bit more confidence now
Could anyone suggest a nice porch
I've room to make the entrance bigger if need be
Will prob get quotes for the dorma to see if it's in budget but the entire inside needs to be re done so I need to watch the pennies so to speak
Is there any way that the colour of the windows can be seen on some kind of cgi?
I like the taupe and possibly soft grey but the stone work is kinda a funny colour and don't want to make it look worse by choosing wrong colour windows
So the porch might be a good move?
Sarah L
last month
I'd keep the porch open if I were you. My bungalow had an enclosed porch with an outward opening door across the front. I had it removed (as it would have been originally) and replaced the front door with a more secure one without a letterbox. Mounted an exterior post box on the porch wall and replaced the original (damaged) red quarry tiles with new grey tiles suitable for exterior use.
Sonia
last month
I think you can transform the porch quite simply by a new cottage style door and side panels (equal either side) then lay sandstone paving on the floor. It’s a little bit non slip unlike quarry tiles which would be lethal! You could have a wooden door or composite. Most of the window and door companies do traditional cottage style doors (try Hursts who do all the RAL colours) as well as more modern ones.
Oraanj Interior design
last month
Hi Julie,

Congratulations on finding a house you love! Transforming the exterior into a more charming, cottage-style look doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some affordable ideas to help you:

1. Update the Front Door
- Replacing the door with a traditional cottage-style door, such as one with a wooden finish or soft pastel color, can make a big difference. Adding a decorative door knocker or a small canopy/porch above the door also adds charm.
2. Windows and Shutters
- If possible, replace windows with cottage-style frames (like Georgian grids) or add decorative shutters painted in muted greens, blues, or creams to give it that cozy look.
3. Exterior Walls
- If the budget allows, adding a soft render or repainting in a light, natural tone (e.g., cream or pale grey) can give a fresh, cottage-like feel.
- For a more affordable option, consider using wooden cladding on a small section or even faux cladding to add texture.
4. Landscaping and Greenery
- Add climbing plants like wisteria, roses, or ivy around the doorway or along the front wall for an instant cottage vibe.
- Use planters or window boxes with flowers and greenery to create a welcoming atmosphere.
5. Lighting and Accessories
- Install traditional-style outdoor lighting (e.g., lanterns) near the front door or along the path.
- Adding a small garden gate or some decorative gravel paths can elevate the overall look.
6. Roof Touches
- If the roofline feels bare, consider affordable accents like a thatched-effect ridge trim or a small decorative gable.
These simple updates can give your home a charming makeover and help it blend beautifully with the village setting. Let us know if you’d like further help with ideas! Good luck!
PRO
Alorya Art and Decoration
last month
last modified: last month
Small changes and addition to your house will do the work because it is not an ugly house. Adding things: 1/ The proposed porch canopy for the entrance door and garden door are very positive ideas, I will add to it a barbecue grill porch attached to the house or free standing one just in front of the kitchen to garden door.

2/ a/ Changes : do not make great change on the facade of the house, because the stone covering is really nice, you can accentuate the stones by painting with mid brown the joints. My advice is to try different colours in very small portion to make your choice and then do it overall the building. b/ I really liked a lot the entrance door it is like the 70`s. But yeah you should change, 70`s is quite dark for 21 century. Change the door to dark blue, black, or yellow to accentuate the change. But you should think about the harmony with the things in the entrance, if you ever choose a blue door, place a blue postbox at the entrance. If you install blue window frames, place a a thcick woodwork mid brown coloured, park bench kind of thing in the garden. Brown is an universal colour, so Wood is the harmoniser in every part of the home.

Note: some interior designer advice is to cover up the stone or the wood. I personally never liked covering something natural with unnatural things. I prefer the nature taking control on my view. I prefer the nature friendly homes. Your home can be like this.

"In my opinion, there is never an ugly house, but a house that a talented architect didn`t touched it yet." My personal quote Oruc Kenan Yildirim. (Maybe Frank Lloyd Write said it and I was impressed by it, but forgot where did I read it).

Oh and a last detail, as I am a pottery maker too, I loved the earthenware tiles on the entrance, it made me remember somehow French and Italian homes. Earthenware tiles are my child time love. I have weakness toward them.

Let a talented architect just touch this home. You will see him/her making marvels from anything.
Charlotte ???
last month
I actually really love the doorway. 70s vibes are coming back in this year. Maybe you could go with it. Embrace the solid wood door, have a really trendy plant pot at the door way.
PRO
Alorya Art and Decoration
last month
Nice idea Charlotte; 70`s with some touch of 21st century can be very nice