Desperately need ideas to make the front of my house look better

[Catsbatsandrats]

We moved into our 1930s semi-detached home about 5 years ago and have renovated the inside. However, we’ve almost run out of money for the outside and it is HIDEOUS, I feel down every time we come up to the house.

ive attached a picture, but I think the worst bit is the mismatch of colours - pale yellow painted pebbledash , red painted tile, black (waterproof?) bands around the bottom, white door and windows, grey driveway, black side gate and green fence (the same colour as the planters). The attached property has the same colour scheme.

could anyone suggest any small changes that might have a big impact? I don’t want to sink huge amount in to repainting tbe hideous yellow if not absolutely necessary, but at the same time I don’t want to spend loads on fixes that will still look hideous due to the yellow.

I’ve thought of getting the rickety fence removed and putting in a neat picket fence instead. Neighbours would prefer not to change the side return gate.

ideally I’d like to get it done in under £1k but I’m so stuck.

petsonally I prefer classic interiors to modern and neutral colours - the inside is dark wood flooring with ivory walls and neutral, traditional furniture. I’m also not a great gardener, but I think some plants might help liven it up?

I’d do it all with plants. Grow a climber around the door, and cover the fence with climbers — what aspect is the front of the house?

Can you paint the white door and windows? I did in our last house with a paint designed for the purpose.

Definitely up for painting anything I can, but I need colour ideas. In an ideal world, I think I’d paint the house white, leave the windows white and take the front door, fences and garden gate a soft sage green. Maybe a pale grey for the red tile?

Blu, white and terracotta is a lovely combination! In my opinion painting the render white would transform the look of your house.
If you can borrow a long ladder you could do it yourself maybe?

I really wouldn't paint the hanging tiles! Won't they then not match your roof?

Painting the main body of house white instead of the yellow cream would look good. But apart from that I agree with PP climbers/plants to soften it would be very effective. And maybe save up for a new front door? They can be expensive though and probably not necessary once front looks more garden-y!

Hmm I think the roof is dark grey and the tiles over the porch are painted red! I just worry that adding on climbers might add to the general mix and match chaos

any ideas to get rid of the green fence and planters instead? Could they be black?

I’m quite handy with painting but it’s high! I’ll try and get a friend to help perhaps

The planters don't seem to add much and create a cluttered appearance. How about just having one by the front door with a talish statement plant in it?

Interesting because apart from the front door and freshening up the paintwork on the fence and side gate, I think it looks smart

You have that same front door as me OP, which I loathe, I cant tell you how much I hate it.

I would perhaps just repaint the front so its fresh, repaint the fence and black side gate and get a new front door

Tidy up the planters, get some nice new plants, clean up and tidy up the paving.

agree with painting the render white, get rid of the planters, paint the fence and side gate the same colour.

Some.potted trees in those containers would look nice

Cheaper option - agree with you op and can envisage the fencing and planters being darker. Maybe black or slate to bring cohesion between those and the roof. Plants that last all year could be your best bet, but working with texture? So tall grasses in blue and greens or some larger more structural plants to draw the eye. Larger pots each side of the door would work well with small flamingo trees.

I don't think there is much wrong at all with your house and personally I wouldn't start painting the window frames and door without trying the easier stuff first.

Agree with painting over the yellow with white.
I'd also bin the planters and pots (not really, I'd just move them into the back garden or something) and replace them with ceramic pots in either a nice dark blue or a mix of deep and sage green. I'd fill the pots with some evergreen plants, ideally ones that flower so you have a mix of colours.

For the side I think replace the fence with a nice, unpainted wooden one and have a side gate to match.

It's not overly creative but I think it would make the house look calm and neat.

I’d paint the render white, ideally have a black front door for contrast. I’d personally remove the planters as I don’t think they add much but get some large metal black pots and plant large strong green shrubs in them.
Ideally replace the fence but if not cover with climbing plants.
Pinterest will have some good ideas I’m sure.

You can get UVPC paint made up from B&Q in any colour now if you wanted to paint the front door. I've painted our UVPC windows recently and off black as they didn't match the bifold as we put in and they look brilliant.

I would paint the render not a brilliant white but an off white and then paint the fence, planter and front doors to the same colour.

Black is quite harsh something like Railings by farrow and ball would be nice. You can get the paint made up in b&q so it all matches.

https://www.farrow-ball.com/paint/railings?sku=5029496013924&tin=df750&gaddsource=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAlbW-BhCMARIsADnwaspKeNkI-ZfXpmM9Ddqgw7lwcp3q0ENII0Y6sBRuiUlScfRsAGc9dy8aAuTaEALw

And I'd get some greenery at the front some nice pots in coordinating colours, is the front north or south facing?

Agree with painting render white.

What's going on with those hanging wires op? I would want those tidying up. I also think the planters by the window don't work - generally small planters look scrappy. The ones either side of the door would look nice once planted up.

pin.it/52x5uTq1c

This is a nice colour scheme

Personally, I'd get some quotes for painting the front of the house white. It might blow most of the budget, but would make a huge difference. Lose the planters. Save up for a new front door. I love your idea of green door and fence.

Since you prefer not to paint the entire house, paint the door a standout colour to make it the focal point and paint and window and door trim a colour which will tone down the yellow in the main body of the house. A light slate (grayish) blue might work well. The door could be a dark slate blue. Normally I like black doors, but not with yellow. Get some paint samples, paint pieces of wood with them and hold them up to the house. See which best tones down the yellow.

I agree that the fence and planters need to go. They look untidy. Replace the planters with foundation plantings. That all won't cost too much, so if you still hate the yellow, you can save up to paint that later.

Agree with all these points. The colour isn't great and looks a bit shabby but I don't think it's awful. Depends how much it would cost if your total budget is £1k.
If the fence was replaced/repainted, new front door and nice planters it would look a lot better. The windows are nice and I wouldn't try to paint the tiles! For me the door is the low point.
We had our house repainted last year and it cost a lot more than £1k I think - although was front and side.. we are the SE.

Also some colourful large hanging baskets either side of the door could be nice and soften the look/hide the door a bit?

I'd defo get rid of those planters by the window as well.

I'd get lots of tubs / pots instead of the high planters. To create a lovely staggered height floral / bush / cottage garden type effect and hide that nasty black run along the bottom.

I would love to do this, I think it looks so charming but worried I’ll spend loads of money on planters/ soil/ plants and get it wrong, as I don’t have gardening experience. Any recommendations for planters or plants? I’m in SE London

What aspect is the front of your house? That will make a difference to what will grow successfully.

Honestly you’ll not be happy with the front of your house unless you get rid of the yellow. Make that a priority. Once that’s done you can pick a lovely front door colour and buy a nice plant and there you go.

Paint the house white first. That will give it a real lift. Then you can envisage what else needs to be done, what colour fence, what colour door, planting etc.