Any thoughts on how to give this SFR a facelift and curb appeal?

Question

Anyone have any ideas how to spruce up the curb appeal on this 4/3 SFR in Tampa/Riverview?

The color scheme is blah.  I'm thinking a new trim color?  Any suggestions?  Should I paint the garage door and front door too?  Obviously I'm going to pressure wash the driveway.  Thanks!

Jim Adrian · Answer

@Jack Gray

I am assuming the exit plan is a flip not rental.  Some ideas that come to mind.  All this depends on how much you want to spend.  I would drive around the neighborhood to see what the other houses have for details and color.  I would try to blend in but be a little different than the rest. You don't want to be the odd ball looking house.  This house needs some characteristic details.

Thanks @Valerie Hiscoe for the mention.   As for the landscaping... I agree this should lead you to the front door.  I'm not a fan of (evergreen) hedges but cant tell what they are.  Boxwoods up front? which I do like or what ever the round meatball type shrub is.  I would work in plants with color in groups or cluster planting  Plant in groups of 3's as odd numbers work best. They can be perennials or cheap annuals.  I don't know what is in season for that area.  You can always take a few pictures and go to a local nursery and have them give you some ideas.  They can do a full landscape plan for about $50 - $100.

I think what bothers me the most about this front is the upper right windows don't match the window on the left.  It needs some rhythm to the front façade.  I bet there is a bath tub under the corner window.  If you could move the window and match the other window style would help a lot.  There is a lot of "one off" items on the house.

I would look at adding a wall sconce light above the address.  Two would be ideal to make it symmetrical about garage.  Adding fake brackets to the garage door would help with detail.

Does the roof need to replaced?  What about metal shingles that are curved like clay tiles.  I would add gutters to the house.  This will help add some detail to the house.  The color should match the trim/accent color.

Color.... I like the trim color at least in the picture as it looks cream.   I would look at going with darker color for the main color like a toupe, light/medium brown, forest green.  If you are going to repaint the house then start from scratch and do what you want because you are not trying to salvage what is there.

I vote no on shutters for the fact of this southern style doesn't do shutters typically. Nor do you have 3 windows on the front of the house.  The trim around windows will complete with the design.  Google "tampa house images".  You need to create a theme with shutters as you need to be able to do more than one window.  The upper right widow cant have shutters.  A quick test would be to take some cardboard the size you want and have someone stand on the roof with them in place.

I would add a keystone to above the arch at the porch and at the windows.  I would add band around the garage door with a center keystone as well.  This keystone should be raised above the banding for a layered effect.  Do you follow?  example Yes the example has shutters but only works because there are 3 windows with shutters. 2 of the windows are the same.

I hope this helps.

Valerie Hiscoe · Answer

@Jim Adrian, an architect I'm following, might have some input specifics (except I don't know how to make the @name thing work so he probably won't see this).

I personally come from a design background, landscape design specifically in this case.  There's one very big principle of landscape design that all the rest of curb appeal follows and that is: The Front Door is the focal point.  That means that, right from the street, people should already be led towards the entrance.  The door itself should either be the darkest or the lightest and every accent that you can muster should lead towards it.  Beef up the trim around it.  Add pots, maybe a bench, and some really great lights.  Any plants that block the view should either be removed or tiered into the walkway to further highlight the way to the door and the sidewalk should be as wide as possible.  Widen it with stones or bricks if you don't feel like pouring concrete, but two people should be able to fit side by side. Those are the general principles but the house, as is, seems to be less welcoming than it could be. (Of course the angle of the photograph doesn't do it justice either because it just looks like a red carpet into the garage.)

And just FYI,  repetition is another universal design principle.  To highlight something using plants, for example, never put in just one thing, always plant at least 3.

I agree with you that a wash a a new trim colour would freshen it up. Just driving around the neighborhood might give you an idea of what colours you like and would fit in.  But apart from that, I'd put additional thought and the biggest investment into highlighting that welcome mat.

I'm pretty sure Jim would agree with the above principles but he might have some specific input that would really up your game.

Nicole Benischek · Answer

Gray is the go to color right now. I would change the trim, front and garage doors to that.

I'm not a fan of all the hedge. I would take out some of it and break it up with some color variations. You could put flowering bushes or at least a lighter shade of green with some nice grasses (the bush type variety). Just give it some interest! It doesn't have to cost a fortune either.

Good luck! Post pix of the finished product.

Jack Gray · Answer

Thank you so much everyone for the suggestions and thank you @Valerie Hiscoeand @Jim Adrianin particular.  I close on this house tomorrow and I'm planning to live in it for a year and then add it to the rental portfolio.  I've got my work cut out for me.  I'll post pics when it's done!

Jack Gray · Answer

Good point, I should have mentioned that I will owner-occupy for a year, then it will become a long-term rental property.

Steven Gesis · Answer

Hi Jack-

First I think you need to define your strategy:

*Are you flipping?

*Are you holding & renting?

*Are you owner occupant?

I begin with this, to define the reasoning for the expense. I think if you are reselling or renting you can power wash the white, then trim out the perimeter with a nice contrast or light pastel - whatever color you should first determine the purpose.

If you are owner occupant it is an esthetic change also consider what is the most cost effective.

Much Luck!

Jack Gray · Answer

@Jim Adrian, the inside is in ok shape but dated.  I'm completely gutting and redoing the kitchen and bathrooms using an FHA 203k loan.  Thank you again for the help!

Aaron T. · Answer

I painted one down in the Apollo beach area. looked real nice.

Body: Homestead Brown (SW 7515)

Trim: Natural Tan (SW 7567)

Accent: Tricorn Black (SW6258)

Jim Adrian · Answer

@Jack Gray

Is the inside in good shape?

Neil G. · Answer

would put in at least a couple palms for tropical foliage and hibiscus for color.

Any thoughts on how to give this SFR a facelift and curb appeal?

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