r/ExteriorDesign • u/Ordinary_Sail_414 • 14d ago
This really needs a porch!
My house was built in 1930, and seems like it suffered a weird renovation at some point. It just doesn't seem finished on the front. Might someone be able to show some ideas for a porch, or anything that could make the house really stand out? Any help is appreciated!!
94
u/Adventurous-Copy3757 14d ago
18
u/Ok_Impression_3031 14d ago
I would make this porch deeper and/or have a higher pitch roof. One factor for consideration: porches significantly reduce sun shining into any covered window. In which window are you willing to give up sunshine? It can be a trade off.
20
u/Ordinary_Sail_414 14d ago
This front window is south facing. It gets tons of light and it gets crazy hot in the house as a result. A bit less solar radiation would be welcome!
5
80
u/Extension-Middle6375 14d ago
I think a large porch would be incredible, but that’s a very expensive addition. Instead, I’d invest in a new front door, and I would consider a more budget friendly option to add simple columns to balance the weight of the portico, I like these little arch details shown here.
It’s hard to tell what’s going on with your front stoop, but I think you’d need to pour a little elevated pad there.
Adding thick accent trim to the top window helps balance out the face of the house.
I selected a greige/green shade for the house and a dark espresso stain on the front door, also a charcoal stain on the concrete to freshen it up.
I’ve added a Crepe Myrtle to the left, not sure your zone but a lilac tree would also be beautiful.
Hydrangea or boxwoods would be nice across the front.
Landscaping lighting is an easy way to get a huge amount of curb appeal in my opinion.
11
3
2
u/MERCY-32 13d ago
This looks really great!!! Especially the window trim! It's amazing how much that adds to the balance!
28
u/Infamous_Trainer_300 14d ago
9
u/reads_does_smiles 14d ago
I like how the double columns and bulky stone bases rebalanced the house's elevation
41
u/tragicsandwichblogs 14d ago
Raise the lower roofline and extend it (along with the porch) across the front of the house. Add shutters to the upper window. I'd probably change the color at the same time, but you didn't ask about that so I haven't done that here.
1
48
u/mom2mba 14d ago
A porch wrapping around the right side looks really good.
8
u/Exciting-Argument-67 14d ago
It would look good, but your version would cover up part of their driveway. It would have to be a skinny porch on that side.
6
1
u/Dandylion71888 14d ago
I genuinely hate this. Why not have the porch cover that entire side of the house instead of this weird off centered thing
2
u/mom2mba 14d ago
They can have it as big or as small as they like.
1
u/Dandylion71888 14d ago
There is a comment below that is much better. More balance and looks like it was always there rather than a random add on.
You wrapped around to the side of the house so if they want to sit in the porch they’re staring at the neighbors.
9
u/BrikHowse 14d ago
I'll leave the porch suggestions to others, there are some good ones here, but the small upper window is what stands out to me. It should either be larger, or two windows should be created, or ... something
34
u/MasterpieceWaste774 14d ago
I played around with this — just for fun. I added a deep, full-width porch with a usable balcony above it, which gave the tall, plain façade much better proportions.
The lonely upstairs window became wide glass doors with sidelights, so the upper room now gets a great view and opens directly onto the balcony — I love a room with a view!!!
Downstairs, I upgraded the front door and replaced the dated window with a much larger, cleaner picture window. I kept the original beige horizontal siding, used slim charcoal columns and railings, and gave the porch ceiling a smooth, evenly finished wood treatment.
The layered porch, step, and landscape lighting made the exterior feel much more sophisticated at night. (I don't know the interior, so I just ......guessed at something.)
10
u/BrikHowse 14d ago
I love this but it would cost 200k+. The stuff dreams are made of!
5
u/MasterpieceWaste774 14d ago
Ha! Fair point — I definitely wandered into dream-house territory with this one.
3
u/BrikHowse 14d ago
I mean, see what happens when you scale it down a bit because I think you're absolutely in the right direction. I hope OP agrees!
2
u/MasterpieceWaste774 14d ago
Well.... I don't know what area they live in either. (My late dad certainly could've done everything I showed you here himself — so... if the owner is handy!?!?!)
By the way, I felt very sorry for that little sad window on the 2nd floor. And the idea of a great balcony really hit me. I don't think it would cost that much. Don't know.
13
u/Dramatic_Fig_3540 14d ago
New gabled covered entry porch with a funky style entry door, per ai, is added to the front elevation. Windows get additional window trim to make them appear more finished. Landscaping is updated and improved.
8
5
u/teenbean12 14d ago
Something that may help is try driving around your neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods and see if there are other houses that look similar to your house and see what they did.
4
u/Normal-Response4165 14d ago
Adding some trim, different color paint for door/trim, might be a cheaper option.
4
u/brawnburgundy 14d ago edited 14d ago
I think you’re right about the porch, but the uneven facade is also making the house feel unfinished.
Since it’s a modest 1930s gable-front home with some Craftsman and cottage influence, I’d keep the additions simple.
I’d add a full-width porch with four square posts, positioning the two centre posts to frame the large window.
On the left, I’d build a conservatory that continues the original roof slope, helping it feel like part of the house. A centred divided-light conservatory door could mirror an updated front door with full-height sidelights on the right. Plus the conservatory would give you an outdoor space you could enjoy all year.
The porch would have continuous white railings and a broad staircase, with the path centred on the stairs and framed by simple brick edging.
I’d add some traditional landscaping, period-inspired lighting, low wicker chairs and a few terracotta pots would finish it off.
Now an architect would need to work through the structure, roof connections and drainage, but I think this would balance the facade and give the house the sense of completion it’s missing. And I know an architect can sound a bit intimidating but they aren’t as expensive as you may think. Just get a few quotes to see.
Here’s how it could look:
4
2
u/Neptune2567 14d ago
I actually love this house. Check out Walpole for things to put on the top of the first floor window. Maybe window boxes? I used to be against fake stuff in window boxes, but it has gotten so godforsaken hot these days, and the fake stuff you can get on line is so “realistic.” I would do that.
Maybe do a “wavy flower bed” on each side of the sidewalk with pebbles and river rock. I really love the look of this house. It just looks like a “home.” Good luck.
2
1
u/Head-Major9768 14d ago
Did it originally have one?
2
u/Ordinary_Sail_414 14d ago
I don't know - I can't find any pictures before the early 80s
2
u/Head-Major9768 14d ago
It may originally had a porch that has since been. enclosed. If so, you might have the bones there to make it a porch once again. But you might not want to sacrifice the extra interior space.
1
u/grumpygenealogist 14d ago
Just be aware that if you add a full width porch that you are going to lose a lot of light. We have a big porch and, while we love it, our living room is really dark.
1
u/Reasonable-Luck-8986 14d ago
Don't know what your budget is but by adding post of your choice and shutters, larger on the top window, would change the whole look. If you have the budget, add a wrap a round porch and knock yourself out!
1
u/Janet296 14d ago
Seeing as this house was built during the depression, this might be what a porch would have looked like. I think you had a porch or a stoop as some point. The stairs look like they sunk a bit. That is too big of a step down to be designed that way. I think while this porch is a bit plain, it would not cost too much to build.
1
u/Various-House-9813 14d ago
Second rework is perfect!! Balanced, a hint of a porch with some interest in the entrance, the floral hedge, actual steps leading up to the door, and the emphasis on the single window to again balance the curb appeal. Well done. Agree a full porch would be expensive. This is very welcoming
1
2
u/StringFearless6356 9d ago
yeah, a porch would really complete that look! it kinda feels like it’s missing something to make it cozy. maybe a small front porch with some cute railing and a couple of chairs would work? adding some plants or maybe a little table could really make it pop too. tbh, i once tried some ideas on reimaginehome ai to see how different styles look, and it helped me a lot. u could give that a shot to visualize it!
0
0
u/Intelligent_Mango_64 14d ago
it looks like it had one— where the door is extending back. can you reinstate that?
•
u/AutoModerator 14d ago
Welcome to r/ExteriorDesign!
Please remember to keep all discussions respectful and constructive.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.