How would make this house look less 'dated' ?

[Mrsgrumble]

I think it would be better painted white?

Would love ideas

The garden's the thing. A blend of suitable trees and shrubs to give height and structure, then consider what, flower beds you might want. Lots of people are afraid of trees, and end up with lots of piddly flower beds, with seasonal colour, usually the spring, then little to hold longer interest.

It's worth buying advanced trees for this purpose. Without knowing location and size of plot, it's difficult to say what could be used.

I took one look and knew it was in Ireland. I think it is fairly hideous, like most of the bungalows the country is littered with.

Having said that, I think it could be improved a lot by getting rid of the pillers, changing to a nicer, neutral shade of paint (and not painting the faux corner stone thingies in a contrasting colour!) and changing the front door to a painted wooden one. Changing the windows would cost a lot and I think not worth it - paint, pillers and door would make a huge difference. Also agree a bit of planting would be good.

www.backtofrontexteriordesign.com employ these people - oops just seen Something's post. At least look at their website. And do something with the front garden - put some actual plants in it, that would soften the style of the bungalow.

Are you buying or selling?

Sorry - didn't read the thread properly and have just seen you like the pillars. In that case I agree with your first suggestion of painting it white. I would still change the door to a painted wooden one and would also paint just the window sills the same colour as the door - all white with a black door and window sills can look nice if you are a bit colour shy.

I think it is the pillars that make it look dated and they look wrong on a bungalow. I actually think that's all that looks wrong with it. Which is unfortunate if you like them! I don't think painting it will make any difference whatsoever.

It is impossible to give detailed garden/landscaping advice without detailed climate and topical knowledge. But with a bungalow like that trees/shrubs/a hedge would be more appropriate than flowers and would make it less stark.

Love those backtofront rebuilds/renovations. Fascinating!

Bonsoir there is no "architectural style" to camouflage - these houses are built from plans drawn up without the input of an architect (except for structural calculations) - there is no design - just a rectangular box with windows....Ireland is blighted with them -- but they are at least an improvement on the earlier '70's Spanish Hacienda incarnations which are spectacular>>>>

Is this the sort of garden make over you had in mind? ;)

No of course not.

Most of Europe is covered in housing with little or no aesthetic merit. Ireland is no special case!

Get rid of the pillars - they are the problem with datedness, unless you can somehow make it look early Victorian. Then get rid of the plastic door and get something which can be painted. I would be tempted to paint the rest in a pastel colour with white or cream over the brick cornicing which would at least make it look more like the traditional vernacular (at least like the traditional vernacular in the north). And plant the garden with shrubs or pay to get a landscaper in to soften the bleakness of the position.

I am happy to get I'd of the pillars.

Appreciate your honesty Ceres.. It isn't my dream house (and if i had money and didnt have two dc to think of i would choose something else) but beautiful location and unbelievable price. Good square footage.

We need to move and stuck in negative equity. Like everything in life, I will compromise but definitely want location.

Maybe painting it all white, get rid of pillars, new more modern porch, trees and shrubs- it would do a lot.

Meant to add- it isn't the specific house we are looking at. We are looking at a house not finished so have a bit of leg room budget wise.

What sort of prices are porches?

Def get a different front door. Our (modern) house is full of bloody pillars. I hate them.

We lived in a bungalow with small DC and it was very user friendly. No stair gates requiredsafe and saves your legs. DS1 used to trundle along the long hallway on hands and kneesgreat exercise!

The only way I would retain the pillars would be if they could be boxed in and squared off if they could not be removed for structural reasons.

If it is still being built then change the windows!!! -- rectangular horizontal windows = fugly (as per your first pic) .... rectangular vertical windows (as per your 2nd pic) = stunning....
www.backtofrontexteriordesign.com/index.html
Look how they have transformed the black and white house thru window transformation in the link I posted yesterday (above)- they just put 2 vertical sashes side by side in the original fugly rectangular horizontal window space.

more ideas on front doors etc
www.backtofrontexteriordesign.com/external_detailing.html