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Original poster

How to make this house look better

86 replies

70sShmeventies · 21/08/2022 11:53

Potentially outing but this is our new house: I love it but don’t love the exterior - specifically the white cladding. How would you make it look better - wood? More green? And if so, what wood etc? It definitely needs new windows as they are knackered.

How to make this house look better
OP posts:
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6
Sparklypant · 22/08/2022 17:29

70sShmeventies · 22/08/2022 16:54

I’m not going to go for a radical overhaul, I want to keep to the original character (and costs) down. Plan of action:

  • new windows - not grey, likely white but maybe sage green?
  • new wooden door and frosted glass either side
  • get rid of faux shutters
  • get real shutters and rid of the vertical blinds currently in situ
  • dig up section of drive and extend lawn
  • add plants and trees
Maybe costs won’t be so low after all 😂

Are composite windows cheaper than wood?

That’s Maybe about 30k all in?

Original poster
70sShmeventies · 22/08/2022 19:10

@Sparklypant that’s helpful thanks. Windows and door first because they’re crap and actually hazardous with kids. The window in the baby’s room opens wide on a hinge like a door! Then maybe get rid of fake shutters and do what I can with existing garden.

Shutters and driveway can wait for a bit. We are lucky that although the inside could do with a refresh it’s perfectly fine. No point making it too nice inside whilst there are still crayons and playdoh around…

OP posts:
kateandme · 25/08/2022 05:05

70sShmeventies · 22/08/2022 16:54

I’m not going to go for a radical overhaul, I want to keep to the original character (and costs) down. Plan of action:

  • new windows - not grey, likely white but maybe sage green?
  • new wooden door and frosted glass either side
  • get rid of faux shutters
  • get real shutters and rid of the vertical blinds currently in situ
  • dig up section of drive and extend lawn
  • add plants and trees
Maybe costs won’t be so low after all 😂

Are composite windows cheaper than wood?

Come back to show the transformation!

SugarNspices · 25/08/2022 05:11

rwalker · 21/08/2022 13:12

Anything but grey windows they are of the moment and will look very dated in a few years

Yes like that awful brown fake wood uPVC

kateandme · 25/08/2022 06:09

70sShmeventies · 22/08/2022 19:10

@Sparklypant that’s helpful thanks. Windows and door first because they’re crap and actually hazardous with kids. The window in the baby’s room opens wide on a hinge like a door! Then maybe get rid of fake shutters and do what I can with existing garden.

Shutters and driveway can wait for a bit. We are lucky that although the inside could do with a refresh it’s perfectly fine. No point making it too nice inside whilst there are still crayons and playdoh around…

I know what your saying about the drive can wait.but things like plants and bulbs to get them ready for even next year do need to be planted.could you get some planters even in the interim to get some bulbs going.tulip and daffodils bulbs when they bloom together in spring are amazing and you'll be so glad and rewarded when you see what you have grown. So too for other seeds like wildflower or sweet peas,they all need time.You can always plant them on once your sorted and have a plan plan.

Underroad · 25/08/2022 06:38

I think I’d paint the whole thing white, get a lovely warm, lightish wood front door and grow some ivy or similar up the sides and around the windows. Don’t replace the windows with those horrible grey ones that have been everywhere for 10 years - they already look dated.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 26/08/2022 16:44

Remove shutters
White windows (all colours will go out of fashion at some point)
Replace front door and side panels (not 'Georgian' panes)
Remove cladding and tile hang,
Landscape front garden.

unicormb · 26/08/2022 16:50

If it's in Kent that cladding is traditional and lots of houses have it

Solosunrise · 26/08/2022 16:56

I'd leave as it is, sort the things that are dangerous, and make the garden round it look lovely!

Dinoteeth · 26/08/2022 17:03

The mortar sort of jumps out at you. I wonder how easy it would be to have a bricklayer repoint it with a darker mortar.

If the cladding is wood / paintable I'd maybe try a darker colour on it. Look around the estate and see what others have done.

Toddlerteaplease · 26/08/2022 18:41

I like it. Stick with white windows as they make it look brighter. Grey and black make houses look forbidding.

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