Adding character to a house

[Decorella]

Please can I have your clever ideas for improving the front of my house? It looks very flat and lacks character. I think new windows and architectural detailing could help but I also don’t want to try and turn it into something it isn’t (if that makes sense). I’ve added a photo but it might take a few minutes to be approved.

The only thing I’d do is change the windows if they need changing, maybe have pale grey/green ones, loose the cafe curtains downstairs, maybe have some wooden shutter blinds fitted internally and if the walls are painted, change the colour. I wouldn’t add any ‘features’ to try to make it into a house from a different era.
https://goliathgroup.net/enhancing-rendered-homes-coloured-window-frames/

you could change the porch to something nicer, like an oak framed one. wouldn’t change the house into something it isn’t, but would make it nicer to look at - adding a gable rather than having the flat roof porch there is now. agree that changing the windows can have a big impact too, but do you know what you’d want to do / what kind of windows?

Could you grow some plants up around the front to make it look a little less stark? Nothing too invasive, but a bit of greenery would help it not look so flat. And if you can't fit outdoor wooden shutters (which might not be 'in keeping' in the neighbourhood) then possibly indoor cafe shutters might add a little something to the windows.

Paint it white.

Your house is what it is. There's no point adding bits on just for cosmetic change. It looks like a semi and is presumably in a street of similar houses. When people start adding bits etc it spoils the street scene. Spend your energy and money on the inside.

I wouldn't go with grey windows, they were the height of fashion 10-15 years ago. At some point they will be considered the 70's brown of our era. I agree with pp that a nice porch would make things look better and have the added bonus of not letting the wind and rain in when you open the door.

Agree a nice porch would look good, and maybe a paint job. I do think you generally want to be in keeping with neighbouring houses though, as sticking out like a sore thumb won’t improve the house or the street. I’d put lots of plants in nice pots below the front window and at the porch area too. That weird half curtain thing in the front window defo needs to go too.

I would lean in to the garden suburb vibe: crittal windows, a timber gable porch with a rose growing over it, and then bring out the brick and clay details you have already. There's probably a brick course over that main window under the render - or there often is on houses like that. Brick paving to match. Roses over the porch, lovely!

Sorry for rendered image:

Oh, weird, it's not letting me post a picture. Sorry OP, it was a good pic!

Our house was very flat at the front and so we put in a bow window. I would also do something with the porch and have trellis with evergreen climbers- jasmine are great as when in flower you get a wonderful perfume. Hanging baskets would also improve the look.

It’s a funny street. Houses across the street were built first before the war and very traditional 1920s. Houses on our side were then built post war but using prewar plans. Mine is a semi but next door did a massive extension about 15 years ago so the houses no longer look the same. They are all large houses and fairly separated from each other so wouldn’t look odd if we did something different.

The flat roof houses a porch which I’ve turned into a bit of a boot room. Perhaps I could change the flat black porch stand into something more peaked?

Next door has the original black crittal windows, ours were replaced by previous owners. They’re double glazed and in good condition so wouldn’t change them necessarily. Try the image again as would like to see it

trying again...

It's just not letting me upload them -- it shows me the pictures but on posting they are gone. MN is really on its uppers these days. Nothing works properly.

Anyway the main point is that you should bring back the warmth. The red clay tiles work well with the render but that cold grey is all wrong for the yard. Put some red brick pavers in, herringbone, or quarry that matches the tone in the roof. Then a gable oak framed porch and tile it the same as your roof. If you can match the pitch as well then so much the better.

Crittal windows would be lovely and right for the architecture, but not necessary at all. The biggest improvement would be a porch and anchoring red at the bottom. That grey is draining the whole face of the house. Paint your door a thirties green - dark or light - and plant some lavender bushes and a rose. You don't want a pastiche -- just work with the bones of your actual house that you have there.

@Decorella if the windows are good you could paint them a soft heritage green with specialist window frame paint. Lovely window boxes, hanging baskets of flowers, flowers in pots, table and chairs.

@Decorella just like that pic above that I hadn’t seen lol! 😂

I LOVE this. It also feels sympathetic to the house, not trying to turn it into something it isn’t. Thank you so much for this inspiration. The plan is also to add a gravel drive which will help soften the overall look of the house

I know others have suggested soft green for the windows but I’d try out a red similar to the roof tiles on the existing windows. Plus the other planting/porch improvements suggested by others above. I prefer the larger panes rather than the smaller ones in the image above - you could always try that and change the windows later if it doesn’t work out?

Ex council houses were never built for looks, although they are spacious and solid.

Some trellis and climbing plants might be the way to go.

Thanks but this isn’t ex council, just a post war build. It’s spacious, not sure it’s solid though.