Please help update my front porch!

Carol Jurczyk

9 years ago

Not looking at spending a ton of money but definitely needs some TLC

Featured Answer

Carol Jurczyk
Original Author

7 years ago

Still a work in progress but getting there! Want to do something with the columns and paint the front door. It is white right now but looks black because it is open.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (26)

User
9 years ago
The most obvious and affordable choice I can think of, is landscaping/plants around the front door.
How cold do the winters get where you are? In what climate zone are you located? Is the soil sandy, loamy, or clay?
The two little bushes look ready to give up, and I was thinking perhaps some low-growing mounding evergreens at the front of the house, with some bulbs and annuals for color, then a nice pot of colorful flowers, might be a nice start, but your choices depend on your soil and climate conditions...
Cor
9 years ago
I would remove the red plaque above the door - it's too small for the space and replace it with a larger decorative 'something' (that would depend on where you live and what your taste is - for instance, a hex sign if you lived in PA, or a barn star if you live in TX). I'd replace the lights with something larger and more contrast - black, chocolate brown or bronze finish (the white blends too much). I am a big fan of planters and brightly colored annuals or ferns.
Related Discussions
Need help updating bathroom
Q
Comments (21)
My understanding: You didn't find any problem functionally, but you feel this looks old & need some brightness & change in this. My advise: 1). Remove towel rod, shift it next to tub or behind closet & have full length mirror, which will make your space double & reflect natural light as well thus makes the space more bright. 2). Get couple of plants (small plants or bush type or creepers which doesn't occupy much space on floor but grows vertically). 3). Get some artifacts made from bright colored glass, can flower vase or wall hangings or glass tiles etc, these can be of yellow or Bright Orange color these are to be hung on walls opp to mirror or pasted(3M tape both side glued) if you are using tiles. 4). Get a mat of same color as artifacts & place between tub & closet. these all are easily done by yourself. OR if you can afford to then replace only green tiles & floor tiles if you wish to OR all tiles.
...See More
Need help with my kitchen please
Q
Comments (7)
I believe the cabinets are a dark charcoal, sometimes also known as off black... The valences can be even more super simple to make yourself if you buy two table runners with a similar design and sew three ends together :) then sew rod pocket and install the rod on the back of the overhang :) If you can't find table runners, it's such simple sewing that definitely can be done by a beginner.
...See More
Need help with my living room please.
Q
Comments (25)
Wow, I didn't expect so many responses, thank you so much for your time and ideas. I do know that the art is wrong but had to put something up from our last house while we settle in. I do find the fireplace a bit un-friendly and so I would consider changing the colour of it even just the border of it like one of the photos shows. I'm not keen on the small computer cabinet or the ladder shelving I have to admit. I was thinking more of putting 3 full width cherry wood shelves, bottom one being wider and desk height, changing the light fittings to down lights and maybe having a wallpaper or painted backdrop behind the shelves?? I realise I would have to get rid of or change the wallpaper on the other wall and change the curtains too. I take your point, many of you said it, about the curtains needing to fall straight, but I will need a wider pole to do that. Again many thanks, AnnaMarie ps we are in Ireland now but lived in australia for many years and that picture over the mantle is of an old aussie shed with moon light on it.
...See More
Please help me to update my old antique pine kitchen
Q
Comments (10)
I agree, I think the kitchen units are quite charming. The tiles date it, the top of the dresser and the piece over the window. Agree, would paint the ceiling a soft chalky white. I know they're becoming a little overdone but metro tiles would suit but handmade ones in a soft white unless you just remove the tiles altogether and have a splashback by the oven. Can you afford to update the floor? The dresser offers good storage space, have you considered either just removing the top half or updating the top so changing the architrave and glass panes? The fire itself looks lovely, do you need the heater in front? I also like the brick but the recesses are dating it. I definitely wouldn't paint the brick, if you were to do anything I think it would need plastering over to cover the niches unless you are able to match the brick. Do you have a better pic of the firep? If you are set on painting the kitchen units, I would look at the really dark greys and inky Blues for the base units, as I think they'd suit the style well, with brass cup handles with a very pale grey for ŵall units. Or if you want the same colour units, look at a mid tone grey.
...See More
PRO
Greater Dayton Building & Remodeling
9 years ago
I would suggest painting the front door a deep red color, or any other color of your choice, and replacing the lights with new ones in a black finish. If budget allows, adding some landscaping, as mrsstem suggested, would definitely add great curb appeal. I would extend the planting of shrubs and groundcover out beyond the front porch, not have it all right up against it.
SturgeonSue
9 years ago
I think the front step is to small for the size of the porch, it needs to be wider. If you do that then you could widen the walkway. It might look nice if you could open up the portico roof and have some beams put up there with a nice hanging light, and remove the siding on the side of the porch area. As stated before some nice landscaping and remove the street sign above the door as it draws the eye. Enjoy your beautiful home whatever you choose to do.
groveraxle
9 years ago
Your house is already very good looking. I made a few subtle changes here:
User
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Grover, you could have at least planted a few shrubs while you were at it;)))...preferably with some red geraniums in the window boxes.
groveraxle
9 years ago
I especially like Sue's suggestion to widen the step and the walk.
groveraxle
9 years ago
Margo, I do love those window boxes, but I have to leave something for the homeowner to do.
Carol Jurczyk
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks everyone! I live in Michigan.! Zone 5. I have already dug up those 2 shrubs--one healthy. The other not so much. The gardens on either side do fill in with plants and flowers but not until June. And red geraniums in my window boxes are my favorite.
Carol Jurczyk
Original Author
9 years ago
Sue Thompson--what do you mean, remove siding on side of porch. I'm intrigued.
millekat1
9 years ago
I also live in MI and I had a house similar to yours. We planted weigela bushes (wine & roses) which have great dark purple leaves and had a nice pink flower. They grow rather quickly and I bought them at Lowes or Home Depot.

You could do a few small potted plants on the porch as well.
stlouisgaltoo
9 years ago
Remove the plaque? Really? I have trouble finding the house numbers on most homes and this was genius! At first I thought that it might be a historical designation . Landscaping. That is all it needs. Love the brick walkway. Maybe paint the steps a darker color to match the brick.....or paint it black for contrast. The house is darling. Keep it simple.
Judy Mishkin
9 years ago
but i cant read these numbers so not clear its useful. attractive but not really useful, unless IRL they look clearer.
stlouisgaltoo
9 years ago
Groveraxle had a nice idea for the number. I would go with that. I wish more homeowners would post large numbers. I hate slowing down like a stalker looking for the address.
SturgeonSue
9 years ago
Looking at the picture, it seems to me, that the right hand side of the porch looks as if the siding extends from the wall of the house to the porch beam, closing that section off. Could be an optical illusion though :)
calvarylove
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
This is such a darling home and great ideas offered already. Can't tell what color your front door is but I would paint it something other than black if that is the color now. (Google Painted front doors to select color). I would move the plaque down under a light fixture. It would be great to extend the porch across the left of the home (facing it) but costly so if you are looking for inexpensive go with lots of perennials adding color under both windows. Fill all 3 window boxes with colorful annuals and vines hanging down. Put a small chair, or bench on the porch vertical from front to back of porch. Pot up a few annuals and place one on each side of porch for symmetry or place 3 of various size near/on the bench. You can add some type of garden décor to the bench or right below it. Peruse magazines, HOUZZ, to compare similar homes. Most important - do what you like, and have fun.
PRO
Lee Caroline - A world of Inspiration
9 years ago
Your home has lots of charm especially with the shutters and window boxes. I would suggest moving the plaque above the porch, to beside the door (it is obviously significant to your home). You could replace the lights on either side of the front door with a more traditional style fixture in keeping with the character of the house.

The plants up close to the front step could be removed and if it was at all possible you should extend the step the full width. However if this is out of the budget, placing two symmetrical pots either side of the short step will help balance it and fill in the gaps. Make sure they are large pots and plants. Make sure your pots and plants are proportionate for your area, go as big as you can afford. I am not sure about your climate but boxed topiary should provide year round greenery. You could fill the window boxes with seasonal plants and maybe paint them to match the shutters. Personally I would keep colour to a minimum with planting, opting maybe simply foliage with white flowers.

I don't know your budget but long term you could think about replacing the front door with a more traditional one such as the second image below. If you are keeping the house colour as is, then a dark front door the same as the shutters or maybe the red that is in the plaque.

Painting the front steps a little darker will make a difference, I am in NZ so can't suggest an exact colour as it is hard to determine the colour of your home which appears to be a beige and we don't have the same paint companies. I would suggest you use two shades darker than your wall colour for the steps but keep in the same colour palette.

Planting either side of the front steps, below the window boxes will also enhance the front entrance. As I am unsure of your climate it is hard to make a suggestion for planting, personally I love a grouping of white standard roses such as 3 Iceberg roses either side.

Another suggestion is to fill in the sides of the porch with diagonal trellis and grow star jasmine up. It will add more interest and a beautiful scent as visitors arrive in the summer.

Whatever you decide, your home already has character and it will simply enhance its charm.
Front Walk (After) · More Info

Loma Lantern · More Info

Brentwood Traditional 2 · More Info

You could add a little architectural detail to the top of your posts. Not as ornate as this but a little moulding can make a difference.
Carol Jurczyk
Original Author
9 years ago
Those are all excellent ideas and very doable. Appreciate your time and talent.
PRO
Lee Caroline - A world of Inspiration
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I would love to see your after shot when you finish your project :)
PRO
Grusby Woodworks LLC.
9 years ago
Some additional options are to paint the cement floor/steps (I'd go medium to dark in color), or visually warm them up by running wood decking on top of it, with white trim, and a railing between the posts and the house. Agree with the landscaping thoughts too.
teamaltese
7 years ago
Carol, thanks for the update, it's so pretty!
Cor
7 years ago
Love your house numbers, may I ask where you purchased them? Your transformation is impressive. You did a great job.
groveraxle
7 years ago
It looks beautiful, Carol. Two things I'd like to see: first, widen the walk. Second: your shutters are neither properly sized nor installed, but the most disturbing are the ones on the little second story window. They look grossly out of proportion and I think you could get by if they were the proper size. (Call me a shutter purist.)
A wider walk will make a huge difference.
Carol Jurczyk
Original Author
7 years ago
House numbers are from GARDENMarx on Etsy. Gross and disturbing shutters, oh my!
PRO
Lee Caroline - A world of Inspiration
7 years ago
The update photo looks great Carol, you have made a huge improvement, you should be proud of yourself and your house. The only other suggestion I could make at the moment is to maybe plant either side the pathway. I think it is fine the width it is but planting would lead the eye through to your entranceway. You could use either standard iceberg roses or if you wanted something that wouldn't loose its leaves in winter, standard Bay trees. I like to plant symetrically. Alternatively you could use cottage style planting in a bed either side with taller plants to the outside but this would be more of an informal cottage look.

One other thing, have you tried the pots in front of the balustrades holding up your porch on the top step? Maybe the pots are too wide but if not try one and compare the look.

I found some images to hopefully inspire you :)

Front Yard Gardening · More Info

Hampshire House · More Info

Georgian Cottage · More Info

Gmlens Country House (Belgium) · More Info

Traditional Exterior · More Info

San Roque Tudor Renovation · More Info