How can I spruce up the exterior of my unlovely 30s house

[30shousecat]

Been living in our 30s detached house for a year and a half. I wouldn't say I have ever particularly loved 1930s houses and unfortunately the house has had much of the original character stripped from it - new pvc windows, a garage extension etc - but we could still see the potential to improve it and could see it would work for us long term. We are saving up to do a big project internally and while we do that we aren't really doing any of the 'nice to have' stuff. That said our porch (or maybe it's a vestibule?) is really looking quite grotty and also also the wood is almost bare where so much of the previous finish has worn away. I would really like to at least give the porch a lick of paint but I am struggling to visualise what colour would look good and whether to paint it all one colour. Ultimately we will hopefully replace it with something a bit less boxy and ugly but it will be with us for a good few years. Any suggestions welcome even if they are ones for the 'one day' pile. Was wondering about a climbing rose or something.

I would remove the inner door, which is called a 'slipped fanlight' door, meaning it had an approprimately Georgian style fan light in the door itself. Completely out of character. Sorry, but the door is awful and lets the house down a lot. I would put in a proper 1930s style solid wooden door maybe with some stained glass in a panel or two. There should be some decent examples of original ones on pinterest.

I wouldn’t jet wash the pebble dash, I would paint it white.
I would sand down the wooden porch and paint it
I would put up some blinds
Bay trees in front
Jet wash the drive

Keep on top of weeding / trim bushes regularly - makes a big difference

It looks like a lovely house, but just needs done tlc.
I would ;
-Paint the exterior
-install a new front door ( possibly with etched glass for a bit more privacy
-pressure wash the oath/drive

• add a bin store or divider so you can't see your bins.
• trim everything in the front and add dome pots for colour.

If it's had the character taken out inside you can always add it back, the same goes with the outside.

A few people have mentioned pressure washing the drive - stupid question maybe but does pressure washing do anything to tarmac?

I am currently trying to figure out how I would reach all the different parts of the house to paint (preferably without breaking my neck ). Do you think a tall ladder would work? Wasn't sure if the bits sticking out at the front would impede this. I think it could be reasonably cost effective if we do it ourselves and repainting the same colour may be slightly less hard work in terms of getting good coverage. The number one task though is buying some paint to do the porch.

Pressure washing is just water at pressure. Personally I don't like it as I like the wild flowers which grow up otherwise.
Ooh, I wouldn't go up a ladder myself. Could you paint what you can reach on the ground floor and pay someone who has the right equipment to reach the upper floor. Like you say, it could be difficult and dangerous.

You have inspired me to look into replacing my UPVC front door and side lights! Looking into second hand options, as its standard 1930s dimensions.

I phrased it badly Wauden - what I really meant was surely pressure washing wouldn't make that much difference to a tarmac drive.

Hope you find a fab second hand door.

We decided on a colour so awaiting delivery! This is hopefully what it should look like....

It is not dissimilar to our house, OP. You will make a huge difference by painting what you can now on the porch, tidying the front garden, and change the inner (white) door for a style more in keeping with the house. Looks more 1940s to me? But happy to be corrected.

TaraRoo I thought I had replied, sorry, but I love your idea of looking up the original design for the house. Although the garage extension will mean kt will never look like it originally did it could be great inspiration.

@30shousecat. Ooh, lovely colour! Keep us posted!

I’ve pulled a 1930’s semi from Pinterest. The brick work looks a similar colour to yours.

As others have said:

1. Pressure wash the drive
2. Weed and prune the shrubs
3. Hide the bins

Now for more work, £££s

1. Repaint the render a creamy colour that works with the brick colour
2. Open up the porch
3. Replace the door with a wooden door from the right period and paint it a bright accent colour.

I would really avoid grey. It’s been done to death and it is starting to look a little dated.

@EmpressoftheMundane love the yellow frontdoor in that picture.

Also love the green you’ve chosen @30shousecat. Look forward to seeing it painted.

I wonder whether you would consider getting shutters. They would make the windows look much more attractive from the outside and could be practical if you are in a busy location. If you fit them yourself they are quite cheap from some of the online suppliers. We have some in our bedrooms and love how they make the room feel much more spacious than curtains.

Thanks itsme and Wauden. Still waiting for the paint to arrive. In the meantime I am planning to rope the 3 and 5yo into helping me sand down and prep.

Weeping funnily enough on my walks to and from school, i have been keeping an eye out for attractive houses and shutters were one of the things I noticed that look good. I am not sure if we could have them with our style of window though. Also, surely you aren't suggesting I should consider getting rid of these antique 80s-90s era exquisitely detailed curtains?

I think shutters would help to improve the symmetry of your windows if you don't want to replace the actual windows. You could use them to replicate where the frame would have gone in the original 1930s house. For example the bottom left window should have 3 big panes at the bottom and 3 at the top. You can replicate this in the shutter design.

What about some temporary [[https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?ref=nb_sb_ss_ac-a-p_1_7&crid=N00WI5IVQHQJ&sprefix=frosted%2Caps%2C165&k=frosted+glass+film+self+adhesive&tag=mumsnetforu03-21 frosted glass film]] on the windows so people can't see in but still let light in. Some house near me have very small front gardens and have some on the lower half of the window so they still have privacy and light.

Sorry posted too soon. Then you could lose the big bushes

The shutters sound like a very good idea. They will improve the house inside and out!

Are you meaning plantation style shutters? Maybe i'm being totally dense but I don't see how external shutters would work with the windows we have currently.

Sanding has commenced. Feeling very grateful I bought an electric sander a few years ago! Really pleased with how the brass letterbox has come up. Little bit left to do but a vast improvement already.

Yes something like these
shutters.co.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAjwxqX4BRBhEiwAYtJX7V7RE5egX10PuT9OZmx3fe9k5KQCNYWIKRWf_A-cZwYztd4-bsDv-RoCl78QAvD_BwE

Will definitely look into that Weeping although, especially as I just found out I am about to be made redundant, I will be trying to make the most of what's already here on a relatively small budget so I think they will have to go on the long list.

Made good sanding progress today, just got to wait for the paint now! I haven't quite got it back to bare wood but I think it should be enough for the undercoat to go on smoothly. There is one crack accross the right hand door and am toying with filling it, not sure if it's really necessary though.

Pics of current state and the crack in question! Shouldn't take much to fill and wondering if the paint will make it stick out like a sore thumb.

Yes I'd fill and sand the crack, OP. Always worth putting in the prep work. Could let water in otherwise and ruin your nice paint finish.
I'm about to paint my front door too!

Yes I'd fill and sand the crack, OP. Always worth putting in the prep work. Could let water in otherwise and ruin your nice paint finish.
I'm about to paint my front door too!

Yes I'd fill and sand the crack, OP. Always worth putting in the prep work. Could let water in otherwise and ruin your nice paint finish.
I'm about to paint my front door too!

Oops sorry 😐