Exterior of home help PIP

Koots2010

Up to this point we've only done interior renovations on our home.  This Summer we would like to tackle our exterior.  We want to remove the too large/oddly placed shutters but do not know where to go from there.

Any suggestions on how to add visual appeal to our "shoebox" bungalo?  Open to suggestions of any kind.  Thanks!

Koots2010

Sorry that picture is quite large.  I'll try again

MaineWifey

Aside from the obvious that it needs some plants and shurbs in the front, and with out knowing a budget, but not going overboard;

I'd consider replacing the large window to the left with something with either interior grids or a picture window. 

With ranches that have short windows like the ones to the right I usually like it when they have brick work on the exterior. 

Similar to these: 

 

I'd consider putting vinyl siding on the house too.  White vinyl especially is really inexpensive, and is a pretty easy DIY job with a little patience. 

Justinlove

A good landscaping plan will help a lot!  Do you have a sidewalk leading up to the front door (it is hard to tell from the photo)?  If not, one with some interesting curves would help make the entrance less linear.

Koots2010

MaineWifey:

With ranches that have short windows like the ones to the right I usually like it when they have brick work on the exterior. 

I'd consider putting vinyl siding on the house too.  White vinyl especially is really inexpensive, and is a pretty easy DIY job with a little patience. 

 Thanks for the reply.  No budget set but putting siding and/or brick work up would be within what we were planning on spending. 

If we put brick or stone work up, how high do you suggest on our house?  Would you suggest only the side with the small windows?

Jena503

I can't tell, is it brick and then just vertical siding under the windows? If so, is it painted brick? I'd paint the house a brighter color.

If paining the whole thing isn't possible, paint the front door something cheerful would help.

Window boxes under the windows would be nice if that's your style (I love the look, but I know I'm too lazy to water them enough so we don't have them)

Definitely some bushes and curvy flowerbeds. That and painting the front door are the first things I'd do.

 

Koots2010

Justinlove:

A good landscaping plan will help a lot!  Do you have a sidewalk leading up to the front door (it is hard to tell from the photo)?  If not, one with some interesting curves would help make the entrance less linear.

I have a serious black thumb and am dreading the landscaping but agree it will make a big difference.    We don't have a sidewalk up to the door but that is a good idea.  Thanks!

Koots2010

Jena503:

I can't tell, is it brick and then just vertical siding under the windows? If so, is it painted brick? I'd paint the house a brighter color.

If paining the whole thing isn't possible, paint the front door something cheerful would help.

Window boxes under the windows would be nice if that's your style (I love the look, but I know I'm too lazy to water them enough so we don't have them)

Definitely some bushes and curvy flowerbeds. That and painting the front door are the first things I'd do.

 

Its painted rock stucco ( I think it was the kind that has rocks & pieces of colored glass in it but since its painted its hard to tell) with vertical wooden boards beneath the windows. 

Painting the door is a great idea & I think a good starting point as well.

dreamlover129

Not sure if its in the budget, but what about adding to the front porch?  Maybe columns and a roof. 

+Krystee+

I agree with a window with a grid for the big window and flower boxes under the two smaller ones. I think a cheery yellow door could look realy cute. I like the previous suggestion of vinyl siding and the low brick work as well.

TheBridesMom

Add thick molding/trim to windows and door frame.  Our neighbors added sills to their windows, using the foam sills that you stucco over, and they really added architectural interest. 

Except that you said that you have a black thumb, I was thinking that window boxes on the windows on the right side would kind of help add balance.

You could use brick or stone veneer on the lower part to change it up.

 

Look on HGTV's website for past episodes of Curb Appeal.   I've seen some really nice examples of exterior changes, some quite simple (particularly the neighbor makeovers on Curb Appeal The Block), but effective.

 

What is your style?  That might actually help with giving suggestions that are a fit for you.

Koots2010

TheBridesMom:

What is your style?  That might actually help with giving suggestions that are a fit for you.

Great suggestion for that curb appeal show!  Thanks for the tip

As far as our style, I`d say contemporary, I follow blogs like House*tweaking, the lettered cottage, centsational girl to give an idea of what style we like. 

I love craftsmen exteriors but dont think I can turn our little home into a craftsmen regardless of budget

laceymb

I think new siding would make a huge impact. Maybe some raised flower beds and some taller shrubs. 

carlab44

I disagree with adding a gridded window - especially if you want a more contemporary style. I'd paint the house a neutral paint, and go a step or two darker for the vertical panels below the windows. I'd replace the front door - probably with one with a big single panel frosted glass window.

I'd see about widening the front stoop and steps and adding tall planters on either side of the front door. Then covering the steps with flagstone or some other type of stone (and adding a flagstone walkway to the driveway). I'd replace the light and house numbers with something more contemporary, and then add garden beds with some ornamental grasses, shrubs and perennials.

Oh, and you've mentioned it but I'd definitely lose the shutters. 

carlab44

OK, just had to try and do a very rough mockup in Photoshop of what I would do. I love when people have homes like yours and make them look more contemporary. 

CrazeyJaneyR

I like this:

http://www.hoyehometeam.com/asp/homes/1747/503903_5705312.jpg

 

It would change the roofline, probably pricey, but you get the idea. Breaks up the straight lines. 

Koots2010

carlab44:

OK, just had to try and do a very rough mockup in Photoshop of what I would do. I love when people have homes like yours and make them look more contemporary. 

Wow, thanks so much for that! I kept trying to brainstorm ideas to fight with those panels, but I like how you worked with them instead of against them. 

I completely agree with widening the porch area.  Now when I look back at the original it seems so small to scale.

toothpastechica

What about these kind of plants, should be easy to care for and make it look a lot nicer...also maybe steal thier siding idea and as pp said widen the stairs/create a small porch?

 http://www.zillow.com/blog/files/2011/06/1804-Warfield-Dr-Nashville-TN-e1308700579430.jpg

 

Bluesmoothy

Those windows are screaming out for pretty white window box planters w/ colorful flowers. That would add some architectural detail, too.

emoflamingo

I would change the color too, vinyl if you want to go that route. Vinyl is easy to care for, so that's a plus.

I think most bushes are hard to kill. I know that hostas are pretty hearty (I have 3 in my yard that are looking a little rough now, but I think my H is overwatering them -- he has morphed into an old guy who spends all his time watering the grass. They were fine before with no watering though lol). I would go to a nursery (NOT like HD and Lowes, an actual nursery) and ask them what would work well with your skill level and your amount of sunlight.

I like the idea of adding a pretty sidewalk too.