How do I add kerb appeal to my chalet bungalow?

[ospreyosprey]

Just that really.

I love my house and have managed to do up the inside over the years but it needs something doing to the outside. (This is just a stock photo from online but mine's almost identical except it's just tarmacked in front so no shrubs.)

I feel like it's so flat at the front since it's side on to the road. It really misses the relief of a doorway/bay window etc. What can I do to improve it? Is it going to mean new windows/roof/rendering or is there something else I could do?

Your house has a nice 'face'. I'd go austrian chalet style, clear all the bushes and greenery, and have window boxes on all windows. Seasonal planting should give you colour all year.

Sorry just read again and see all shrubs have gone, even easier to do!

We have a very similar house and some neighbours have a trellis in between the two front windows with a climbing plant. It's great for softening up the look.

could you render the brick or paint the wood? If you've only got tarmac out front then some planters with shrubs and flowers would pretty things up. Also something climbing up the wall like a clematis or rose

The darker colour in the upper triangle makes the lower two windows look squat to me. Can you paint it a uniforn colour?
Some good planting of mixed size sculputral shrubs and billowing grasses could be effective.
An open stud style fence along the length of the tarman could lift and frame the property.
Adding the jolly stripe awning on the windows in summer adds life to a place.

My concern was that you said yours was tarmac in front. Is all the drive and front an expanse of tarmac?

Nothing wrong with the house style but adding kerb appeal to a car park it tough.

I like the idea of softening it with plants and grasses. Wouldn't have thought of window boxes @Salome61 - love it!

Agree the dark wood section makes it look odd. Was wondering whether I could get away with rendering only the front of the house or whether I'd have to do the whole thing? The back looks fine so doesn't necessarily need it.

@SpeakingFranglais

My concern was that you said yours was tarmac in front. Is all the drive and front an expanse of tarmac?

Nothing wrong with the house style but adding kerb appeal to a car park it tough.

Yes it's all dark tarmac edged with red brick. It does look 'clean' but the plainness of it against the plainness of the front is a bit bland.

If this was the back of the house I think even adding a juliet balcony to the top window would break it up and give it some interest but as it's quite close to the road it would probably look odd.